Life has continued on as usual here in the continental U.S. in the months since a series of hurricanes wrecked havoc on our southern states and tropical neighbors in the Caribbean.
It’s been 47 days since Hurricane Maria ravaged the island of Puerto Rico, and while the media agenda has shifted to new catastrophic events, most of the 3.4 million U.S. citizens who live on the “forgotten island” of Puerto Rico are without power, food, water and basic necessities.
Much of the United States has abandoned our brothers at sea, and rebuilding the tropical island is a $90 billion feat that doesn’t appear to be anywhere on the near horizon.
There is one corporate chain, however, who is committed to not letting our neighbors fall behind.
The TJX Companies Inc., mothership of all things TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, has continued to pay its employees in Puerto Rico even while its 29 stores on the island remain closed more than a month after destruction.
“We believe it is the right thing for us to do under these circumstances,” said TJX spokeswoman Erika Tower.
The gesture is not surprising considering the TJX Co’s history of social impact.
According to the company’s website, “Caring for others is an important part of the culture at TJX. Throughout our 40-year history, we have worked hard to be a good corporate citizen and bring value to people’s lives—not just in our stores, but in our communities where we work to enrich the lives of others.”
TJX has long supported disaster relief efforts as a member of the Red Cross. They partner with chapters in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. to assist individuals and families impacted by catastrophic events.
TJX chains are already my personal favorite, but their social good just makes that even more the case.
Learn more about how you can help with continued disaster relief in Puerto Rico by visiting the Red Cross donation page.
