Wednesday, July 09, 2008

ABF Freight, Harper Brush Works helps Iowa flood victims

Friday found the squeegee line at Harper Brush Works humming with activity, as 200 squeegees were built for same day shipment.

"I received a telephone call from Janice Brown with the Gifts in Kind division of the American Red Cross in Cedar Rapids," said Patty Adam, marketing director for Harper Brush.

Brown was making a plea for squeegees to be sent to Cedar Rapids to assist in the flood cleanup.

"I didn't even hesitate," said Adam. "I felt it was the least we could do."

A telephone call to ABF Freight produced the same sort of response, Adam said. "Barb Hood was quick to answer my call with, 'If you get the squeegees ready, we will make sure they get to the people who need them in Cedar Rapids.'"

By 3 p.m., 200 squeegees were loaded and on their way to the Proctor & Gamble warehouse in Coralville, where they would then be distributed to local residents as part of a cleaning kit.

According to Adam, this wasn't the first time Harper and ABF freight joined forces for those in need. Earlier in June, a group of local residents contacted Fairfield businesses to collect supplies for those in need. Harper responded with 241 assembled push-brooms for the Cedar Rapids shipment. ABF donated the trucking and a number of other Fairfield businesses also donated supplies, filling the truck.

As the water continued to rise in communities south of Fairfield, Harper responded again. Squeegees were assembled and sent to Douds, Selma, Eldon, Keosauqua, Bonapart and Farmington.

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