Delta will make an additional contribution of $500,000 to the American Red Cross to help in the effort to aid the hundreds of thousands of people affected by Hurricane Helene, which made landfall on Thursday evening in Perry, Florida, as an extremely powerful Category 4 storm, the strongest to ever hit Florida’s Big Bend Region. The massive storm created a path of destruction far beyond the initial landfall location including massive destruction in Georgia, as well as severe flooding across the Carolinas and Tennessee. The devastation caused by Helene is being experienced across 10 states, spanning some 800 miles, and impacting millions according to the Red Cross.   

This contribution is in addition to the $1 million grant to the American Red Cross as an Annual Disaster Giving Program partner from The Delta Air Lines Foundation. Delta's support of the American Red Cross helps the agency in disaster response needs as they respond to disasters year-round including hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and home fires, and more.    

Customers can support relief efforts for hurricane victims by donating through Delta's customer microsite, created in partnership with the Red Cross. Donations will go toward immediate relief needs.  

"Serving people, whether they are our customers or our neighbors in the communities where we live, work and serve, is part of Delta's DNA," said Tad Hutcheson, Managing Director – Community Engagement. "The destruction across the southeast from Hurricane Helene is massive, and we want to do more to help those in need. The most effective way we can help is by investing in organizations involved in disaster relief year-round."    

The American Red Cross is Delta's longest-standing non-profit partner, and the partnership has allowed the airline, its customers and employees to help people in need since 1941. Delta is the largest corporate blood drive sponsor in the U.S. for seven years running.