Apple Helps Hurricane Matthew Victims

Apple is one of the most prolific companies in the world, and they have always been known for giving back. Mac Rumors reports on Apple’s latest good deed when it comes to Hurricane Matthew.

“Apple today added a banner to its United States website, iTunes Store, and App Store asking customers to provide donations to individuals affected by the recent devastation from Hurricane Matthew. Like its usual relief efforts, all donations collected will go to the American Red Cross.”

The article adds that the donation tiers available include ones at $5, $10, $25, $50, $100, and $200, and will be processed as normal iTunes or App Store purchases through a user’s Apple ID.

Our thoughts are with all those affected by #HurricaneMatthew. Support relief efforts by donating to @RedCross at https://t.co/2b9MLALy4L

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) October 10, 2016

Many of the commenters after the article are very critical of the donations going to the Red Cross.

“Except, your donations will not go directly towards the disaster, they go into a fund. And not all the money that comes in goes the that relief effort,” says Stevet.

“The American Red Cross is a terrible place to give your money. Don’t give your donation to a wasteful middle man,” says MacJonny1.

The bad news is, of course, that Hurricane Matthew actually happened and did substantial damage. The good news (or better news) is that the storm didn’t result in nearly as much damage and as many deaths as people thought it would. According to NBC News, the U.S. death toll from Hurricane Matthew is 19 people in four states.

“At least eight people were killed in North Carolina and three were killed in South Carolina by Hurricane Matthew’s destructive forces, bringing the storm’s death toll to 19 across four Southeastern states, authorities said Sunday morning.”

The article adds that hundreds of residents were rescued overnight following floods in North Carolina. There are more than two million businesses and homes still without power along the Southeastern seaboard. North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory has tried to warn residents that even though the storm had been downgraded and had moved past North Carolina, it would pose dangers for days to come.

According to CNN, Matthew is no longer considered a hurricane, but it is still very dangerous.

“Matthew, the deadly storm that’s spread misery from the Caribbean to the Carolinas, is no longer a hurricane. But even as it heads out to sea, the storm is causing serious problems for the southeastern United States,” writes columnist Doug Criss, who adds that some people in North Carolina have been rescued in dramatic helicopter operations.

Some may remember that in 2012, Apple gave $2.5 million to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts and raised additional funds through iTunes. Tech Crunch was one of the sources that reported this in November of 2012.

“Apple is donating $2.5 million to Hurricane Sandy relief…The lump sum donation is in addition to the company’s collection of monetary support from iTunes customers and Apple employees.”

The article added that Apple iTunes donations surpassed far what was originally expected. Tim Cook frequently shared updates, noting that “Apple employees and customers all over the world have raised millions of dollars toward the relief effort so far” before adding that Apple could always do more.

Apple also made an important gesture towards the LGBT community last June after the Orlando shootings at the Pulse LGBT nightclub. Tim Cook is openly gay, and one could see from the video that the event affected him personally.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNq0l_ECPI0

No matter how much Apple has given in to marginalized groups and situations in terms of cash and vocal support, there are still some who believe Apple should do more. However, Apple has proven time and time again that their influence extends far beyond technology.

[Featured Image by Brian Blanco/Getty Images]