[vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Since starting my career with Cabot a year ago one thing has always stood out in my mind: the ability of Cabot and its contractors to step forward during times of crises in the communities where we live and work.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Earlier this month  West Virginia was rocked by severe storms across the area which left hundreds of thousands of residents without power. With the power out long enough to spoil entire fridges full of food, local food banks have been depleted by the sudden and overwhelming demand.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The emergency situation in West Virginia touched many Cabot employees. Cabot has several offices throughout West Virginia and many of my coworkers were without power for several days before it was restored. Others in our Pittsburgh office have family and friends who were impacted by the severe storms.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Within hours of  Governor Tomblin’s announcement of a food drive at the Capitol to replenish the food banks, Cabot was already mobilizing support.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]A check was immediately cut for $10,000 to aid in the purchase of  food items and was delivered directly to Governor Tomblin by myself and West Virginia Cabot employees, Brian Atkins and Roger Crawford, on Tuesday evening. In addition, one of our subcontractors, Somerset Regional Water Resources, send down three pickup trucks worth of bottled water to distribute to those in need.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image css_animation=”” image=”1014″ border_color=”” img_link_large=”” link=”http://cabotsusq.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/interview.jpg” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]You can check out more great photos from the event at the Governor’s Flickr site.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]And as we speak, employees in our Pittsburgh office and all of the offices in West Virginia are collecting non-perishable food items that will be delivered next week. Keep in mind that this food drive started two days ago and with two days left in the drive, this is what has already been donated just in our Pittsburgh office:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image css_animation=”” image=”1020″ border_color=”” img_link_large=”” link=”http://cabotsusq.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/img_05381.jpg” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]If you are able, I encourage you to donate to the food banks. The most needed items include:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Canned fruits, canned vegetables, canned meats (chicken, tuna, salmon), canned soups (with pop tops), beef stew, peanut butter, dry cereals, oatmeal, cream of wheat, baby food/formula, shelf-stable milk, bottled water[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]I have a great appreciation for everyone involved in this campaign including Governor Tomblin, the local food banks, emergency workers and everyone who has given to the cause in any way.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Brittany Thomas – Coordinator, External Affairs[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]