OxfordPress.com

Cox Enterprises to donate $10 million for Katrina relief

ATLANTA — Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises Inc. said Friday it is donating $10 million toward Hurricane Katrina relief, including $2 million in cash to various relief and social services organizations.

The announcement by the media conglomerate, whose holdings include The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, is among the largest corporate gifts to date by a metro Atlanta company toward Gulf Coast relief efforts.

"Cox is committed to helping those in need in the Gulf Coast region and we hope this gift will assist in the relief and recovery of the affected communities," said James C. Kennedy, Cox chairman and chief executive officer. More than 2,000 Cox employees were affected by the storm.

The gift includes $1 million to the American Red Cross, $750,000 to the United Way, $150,000 to Habitat for Humanity and $100,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs to be used in the affected areas. Cox, through its radio, newspaper, broadcast and cable operations, also will donate $8 million worth of free airtime or advertising space for public service announcements.

Cox joins other metro Atlanta heavyweights, including Coca-Cola Co., which has pledged $5 million in cash to the Red Cross and 35 million cases of Minute Maid juices, Powerade and bottled water products toward relief efforts.

Shipping giant UPS pledged $1.25 million, including $500,000 in cash and up to $750,000 of in-kind services for the shipment of medical and health-related items. BellSouth Foundation, the philanthropic arm of telecommunications giant BellSouth Corp., is donating $5 million in cash to establish virtual courses for students in Louisiana and Mississippi whose schooling was disrupted by Katrina.

SunTrust Banks Inc. pledged $600,000 toward relief efforts, including $100,000 cash to the American Red Cross. The financial institution also said it will match employee donations to the Red Cross or United Way — dollar for dollar — up to an additional $100,000.

SunTrust also created the $400,000 Katrina Relocation Relief Fund, which is to be used to support social service programs that are providing assistance to victims temporarily relocated in SunTrust markets.

Péralte C. Paul writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. E-mail: pcpaul@ajc.com