ST. LOUIS and TORONTO -

The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation has renewed its $1 million pledge to the American Red Cross’ Annual Disaster Giving Program. Additionally, the philanthropic arm of Enterprise has pledged $100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to assist with relief efforts in the wake of the Fort McMurray, Alberta, wildfires.

This second annual $1 million contribution to the ADGP is in addition to $125,000 already donated by the foundation during the past year to support Red Cross disaster relief efforts for flood victims in Houston, Missouri and North Carolina.

 “As a global organization, we understand how important the Red Cross is to people and organizations across the world,” said Carolyn Kindle, vice president and executive director of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation. “We continue to support its efforts to provide comfort and care to communities during their times of need.”

“Ongoing financial support from ADGP members helps create a reliable funding base for disaster relief services, providing food, shelter, emotional support and other essential assistance,” said David Staszak, Red Cross chief development officer. “Money donated by the public and ADGP is essential to our ability to assist disaster survivors and support the first responders and volunteers who work tirelessly at the scene of a disaster.”

Enterprise's support of ADGP complements the company's ongoing work to provide critical transportation alternatives in the face of natural disasters.

With more than 5,600 neighborhood and airport branch offices throughout the United States and 600 in Canada, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is able to quickly and easily move vehicles around the country and into affected areas. The extensive Enterprise network also facilitates strategic support for insurance companies, utility companies and government agencies so they can get the recovery and restoration process underway as quickly as possible.

In addition, each Enterprise regional operation has an Emergency Action Plan that focuses on how Enterprise's branch offices communicate with each other to ensure that the right number and types of vehicles are available when and where they are most needed.

Tens of thousands have been temporarily displaced by this month’s Fort McMurray wildfires, and many have lost their homes.

“We are thankful that our employees and their families have been accounted for and are safe, but we know the job is far from done," said Jim Thompson, vice president and general manager for Enteprise in Alberta.

"On behalf of everyone at Enterprise, we want to commend the brave firefighters, emergency services personnel and aid workers whose efforts have saved lives and are protecting the community from further devastation," he continued.