NetEnrich, VentureTech VARs To Help Joplin Tornado Victims
Now VTN members can do both, thanks to a new program from NetEnrich, a remote IT infrastructure management provider. NetEnrich has agreed to forward 5 percent of revenue generated through VTN members from Oct. 1 through March 31, 2012, to the Habitat For Humanity in Joplin, Mo.
Joplin was the site of a deadly tornado earlier this year and also the home of Jane Cage, COO of Heartland Technology Solutions, a VAR with an office in downtown Joplin.
Cage has been active in Joplin's recovery and when she met with NetEnrich executives at the recent VentureTech Fall Invitational conference, they asked what they could do to help.
"Jane's been a partner, a customer, a friend for la ong time. Everybody knows Larry [Hedin, Heartland's vice president of sales and marketing] and Jane and since the tornado, we've wanted to know how to help. We've been thinking about it for a while," said Justin Crotty, senior vice president and general manager at NetEnrich.
Crotty and a few other NetEnrich executives plan to spend a weekend in Joplin next spring to hand over the proceeds but also to help build houses.
"We want to be productive and not just be in the way. After any big disaster there's a big influx of aid out of the gate but that aid starts to diminish [over time]. Hopefully, we can bring some at a time when they need it," Crotty said.
More than 4,000 houses were destroyed in the tornado and Cage estimates that at least 1,700 still need to be built to accommodate families choosing to rebuild in Joplin.
"I'm grateful for any person that does anything for Joplin because we need the help. We have a really big task in front of us and, hard as we might work, we will never be able to do it on our own," Cage said. "The fact [NetEnrich] was wiling to step up to the table is really great. Even more touching is their personal commitment to come and help build."
The estimated cost for materials to build a house for Habitat for Humanity in Joplin is $45,000. NetEnrich hopes to be able to raise enough money through VTN sales to build a few houses, Crotty said.
Cage noted that more than 80,000 volunteers have spent time in Joplin since the Tornado. The pace is slowed but there's still a lot of work to do.
"I hope that my friends will realize the worthiness of this and the quality of the [NetEnrich] product. Say 'she said with a smile.' I am grateful," Cage said.