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First 'Hands That Give' Emergency Response Operations Swing Into Action
Newly launched HTG Peer Groups' program offers in-kind services and financial aid to member companies and civic organizations affected by Joplin, Mo., tornadoes.
HARLAN, Iowa, June 1, 2011/PRNewswire/ -- Less than a month after launching its Hands That Give emergency response program, HTG Peer Group members have already mobilized. Answering the needs of those affected by the severe weather systems ripping through the Midwest May 22, a team of 17 descended upon Joplin, Mo., to a "center of chaotic activity."
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100316/LA70825LOGO)
"For all the pictures that you may have seen, I can tell you that they pale in comparison to standing in the middle of destruction as far as you can see," said Jane Cage, Heartland Technology Solutions (HTS) chief operating officer and business partner to Arlin Sorensen, CEO of HTG Peer Groups, a founding member of Hands That Give. "I have lived in Joplin for 30 years now but many times this week I was unable to figure out where I was because every landmark has disappeared. At the worst points, houses and all their belongings were shredded. The bark was peeled off trees and cars looked as though they had been in a bomb blast."
Despite the ravaging storm, Cage's office, located roughly 14 blocks from the center of the disaster site, was spared and HTS employees and their homes were unharmed. Other HTG members were not so lucky. John Motazedi, CEO of Joplin, Mo.-based SNC Squared and a member of HTG Peer Group #8, emerged from his basement to find his business had been obliterated.
"I accompanied John to the place where his office used to be and could not believe my eyes," said Sorensen. "There andis nothing left. Not a little - absolutely nothing standing at all. To think they dug through the rubble last week with the help of our Joplin HTS team and other HTG members recovering servers and workstations is amazing. But they did - and they were running when I went by his home to meet with him - now temporarily his new office space."
The Strength of Community
In addition to the support offered by the Hands That Give emergency responders, vendors across the IT industry have reached out to help by donating much-needed equipment. Mitel, SonicWALL and Hewlett Packard were the first to step in offering a new phone system, firewalls, notebooks, printers, switches and servers to be used in meeting IT infrastructure needs for local HTG member companies and other businesses in the area.
While initial efforts are focused at recovering those directly impacted by the storm, the long-term success for every business within a community is actually at risk. Studies have shown that even companies unaffected by the actual natural disaster suffer a loss of business because of the fallout from those that don't make it. Inadequate cash flow and over-extension from customers who can longer pay their bills are key factors in a trickle-down effect that can be enormous.
Mike Semel, certified business continuity professional and a member of the Hands That Give oversight committee said, "Disasters like the one in Joplin should remind us just how important it is to be prepared for the unexpected. With a business continuity plan, you will have critical information when you are in shock, and you are dazed by the disaster. You will have something that was created while your mind was clear and your employees will be more confident knowing that they know what to do."
"I am grateful for all the support we've received during this horrific time. There is certainly no way that Hands That Give could do this on our own," said Sorensen. "We hadn't even collected the first dollar by the time this disaster hit - so to say we are underfunded and unprepared for a disaster of this magnitude would be a bit of an understatement."
To contribute to the Hands That Give program or learn more about how you can help, visit http://www.handsthatgive.net.
About Hands That Give
Hands That Give is the technology industry's first emergency response operation, uniting HTG Peer Group (HTG) members during times of personal crises or natural disaster. HTG member-led business continuity teams, aided by the IT industry's leading vendors, mobilize immediately following a catastrophe to provide disaster-response support to those affected by devastating hardships and business interruptions. Funded through member and corporate contributions and managed by an oversight committee, Hands That Give provides a rich and meaningful opportunity to help restore hope and dignity following times of crisis. To learn more, visit http://www.handsthatgive.net.
About HTG Peer Groups
Established in 2000 by Arlin Sorensen as a business and personal development community, today HTG Peer Groups is an international organization of leading IT solution providers. HTG has more than 250 member companies throughout North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia/New Zealand. Each peer group consists of 10-12 IT company executives who work together and share resources and information to formulate and meet business goals such as strategic planning, process improvement and tools, and life-work excellence. HTG offers CEO Forums, vendor peer groups and other educational events, quarterly meetings, and an annual summit that attracts hundreds of attendees, vendor exhibitors and strategic partners. Visit http://www.htgpeergroups.com or call 712-744-3619 for more information.
SOURCE HTG
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100316/LA70825LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
HTG
CONTACT: Lynette Bohanan of CommCentric Solutions, +1-813-727-0196, lbohanan@commcentric.com; or Christy Sacco, Director of Operations of HTG Peer Groups, +1-813-785-8571, csacco@htgpeergroups.com
First 'Hands That Give' Emergency Response Operations Swing Into Action
Newly launched HTG Peer Groups' program offers in-kind services and financial aid to member companies and civic organizations affected by Joplin, Mo., tornadoes.
HARLAN, Iowa, June 1, 2011/PRNewswire/ -- Less than a month after launching its Hands That Give emergency response program, HTG Peer Group members have already mobilized. Answering the needs of those affected by the severe weather systems ripping through the Midwest May 22, a team of 17 descended upon Joplin, Mo., to a "center of chaotic activity."
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100316/LA70825LOGO)
"For all the pictures that you may have seen, I can tell you that they pale in comparison to standing in the middle of destruction as far as you can see," said Jane Cage, Heartland Technology Solutions (HTS) chief operating officer and business partner to Arlin Sorensen, CEO of HTG Peer Groups, a founding member of Hands That Give. "I have lived in Joplin for 30 years now but many times this week I was unable to figure out where I was because every landmark has disappeared. At the worst points, houses and all their belongings were shredded. The bark was peeled off trees and cars looked as though they had been in a bomb blast."
Despite the ravaging storm, Cage's office, located roughly 14 blocks from the center of the disaster site, was spared and HTS employees and their homes were unharmed. Other HTG members were not so lucky. John Motazedi, CEO of Joplin, Mo.-based SNC Squared and a member of HTG Peer Group #8, emerged from his basement to find his business had been obliterated.
"I accompanied John to the place where his office used to be and could not believe my eyes," said Sorensen. "There andis nothing left. Not a little - absolutely nothing standing at all. To think they dug through the rubble last week with the help of our Joplin HTS team and other HTG members recovering servers and workstations is amazing. But they did - and they were running when I went by his home to meet with him - now temporarily his new office space."
The Strength of Community
In addition to the support offered by the Hands That Give emergency responders, vendors across the IT industry have reached out to help by donating much-needed equipment. Mitel, SonicWALL and Hewlett Packard were the first to step in offering a new phone system, firewalls, notebooks, printers, switches and servers to be used in meeting IT infrastructure needs for local HTG member companies and other businesses in the area.
While initial efforts are focused at recovering those directly impacted by the storm, the long-term success for every business within a community is actually at risk. Studies have shown that even companies unaffected by the actual natural disaster suffer a loss of business because of the fallout from those that don't make it. Inadequate cash flow and over-extension from customers who can longer pay their bills are key factors in a trickle-down effect that can be enormous.
Mike Semel, certified business continuity professional and a member of the Hands That Give oversight committee said, "Disasters like the one in Joplin should remind us just how important it is to be prepared for the unexpected. With a business continuity plan, you will have critical information when you are in shock, and you are dazed by the disaster. You will have something that was created while your mind was clear and your employees will be more confident knowing that they know what to do."
"I am grateful for all the support we've received during this horrific time. There is certainly no way that Hands That Give could do this on our own," said Sorensen. "We hadn't even collected the first dollar by the time this disaster hit - so to say we are underfunded and unprepared for a disaster of this magnitude would be a bit of an understatement."
To contribute to the Hands That Give program or learn more about how you can help, visit http://www.handsthatgive.net.
About Hands That Give
Hands That Give is the technology industry's first emergency response operation, uniting HTG Peer Group (HTG) members during times of personal crises or natural disaster. HTG member-led business continuity teams, aided by the IT industry's leading vendors, mobilize immediately following a catastrophe to provide disaster-response support to those affected by devastating hardships and business interruptions. Funded through member and corporate contributions and managed by an oversight committee, Hands That Give provides a rich and meaningful opportunity to help restore hope and dignity following times of crisis. To learn more, visit http://www.handsthatgive.net.
About HTG Peer Groups
Established in 2000 by Arlin Sorensen as a business and personal development community, today HTG Peer Groups is an international organization of leading IT solution providers. HTG has more than 250 member companies throughout North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia/New Zealand. Each peer group consists of 10-12 IT company executives who work together and share resources and information to formulate and meet business goals such as strategic planning, process improvement and tools, and life-work excellence. HTG offers CEO Forums, vendor peer groups and other educational events, quarterly meetings, and an annual summit that attracts hundreds of attendees, vendor exhibitors and strategic partners. Visit http://www.htgpeergroups.com or call 712-744-3619 for more information.
SOURCE HTG
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100316/LA70825LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
HTG
CONTACT: Lynette Bohanan of CommCentric Solutions, +1-813-727-0196, lbohanan@commcentric.com; or Christy Sacco, Director of Operations of HTG Peer Groups, +1-813-785-8571, csacco@htgpeergroups.com