McGriff Treading weathers storm, aids Hurricane Katrina victims

Sept. 8, 2005

Barry McGriff, president of McGriff Treading Co. Inc., says all of his people are safe and damage to the company's retread plant and store in Mobile, Ala., was minimal following Hurricane Katrina's attack. The buildings were without power for a week, however.

"Our Mobile store has been very involved in being available to assist the rescue/clean-up crews in the area," he says. But the effects have been felt farther north at the company's headquarters in Cullman, Ala.

McGriff says his people have provided shelter and food for many of the evacuees who have lost almost everything in their attempt to escape. "Our folks have really come together and done a great job taking care of these people. They have taken them to the local go-kart track and to football games just to help take their minds off their situation."

Not one to sit and wait for people to come to him, McGriff also helped getting truck loads of supplies to areas on the Gulf Coast through his transportation service company.

He says he heard another 500 people may be headed north, and was going to do what he could. "There are a lot of good caring people in our community and we are reaching out to give assistance." McGriff and his people are forming job fairs, helping with health care needs ("We found three people with cancer and got them and the American Cancer folks together so they had their necessary treatments"), lodging, etc. "I'm sure it is the same across our country."

One request coming from Mobile and its neighboring cities is for refrigerated trailers.

For more information or to offer assistance, McGriff suggests interested parties should call FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency). The agency urges disaster victims to register for assistance by calling its toll-free number, (800)-621-FEMA (3362). Your local Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Salvation Army and/or Red Cross will have information also.