ARAMCO VOLUNTEER SPIRIT HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER

Perhaps best known for its annual sponsorship of the Aramco Houston Half Marathon held each January, Aramco and its employees set a fast pace all year long with activities contributing to a safe, healthy, strong Houston. From outreach to green space improvements, from public education to environmental stewardship in support of Galveston Bay, Aramco strives to make a difference. An active volunteer corps welcomes opportunities to sort food at the Houston Food Bank, plant trees with Trees for Houston, and restore oyster reefs for the Galveston Bay Foundation. Pride in the city translates into Aramco’s support for Crime Stoppers and its many public safety programs. When Hurricane Harvey made landfall along the Texas Gulf Coast in August, Aramco volunteers reached out with a renewed sense of volunteerism for the city the company has called home for almost 45 years. Immediately following the storm, in-kind donations, such as water, clothing, and food, and large-scale logistical support for shelters were made available. Critical materials were provided to support first responders, including Houston Fire Department emergency personnel, serving on the frontlines to rescue storm victims. Employees and Aramco-sponsored Saudi students attending local universities teamed up to sort and package items at the Houston Food Bank for delivery to flood victims at neighboring shelters. Their volunteer efforts translated to more than 300,000 meals. Aramco groups also volunteered at Dress for Success and Career Gear Greater Houston operational centers so families affected by Harvey could receive new clothing and supplies as they returned to work and school. The task of “mucking and gutting” homes by removing flood-soaked drywall, cabinetry, and appliances in Houston’s Habitat for Humanity neighborhoods began just days afterwards. “We are Houstonians ourselves, and we were out in Harrel Park volunteering after Harvey,” said Aramco Services Company President and CEO Basil Abul-Hamayel. “Seeing such devastation, we knew immediately that we wanted to do something significant to help, so we worked with the Houston Habitat team to make sure every single homeowner affected by Harvey will have their homes repaired by the end of 2017.” With that commitment, Aramco donated $3.7 million to support the full rebuilding of 176 homes in the Harrel Park and Greensbrook communities. The donation fills the gap for things that FEMA or insurance may not cover, such as appliances, heating and air conditioning, contractor support, and a variety of other repairs. The first group of homeowners is preparing to move back into their homes this month, just in time for the holidays. Harvey’s environmental impact on the city has Aramco dedicating more volunteer support to the Galveston Bay Foundation since the impact of rainwater surging into the bay calls for more work with its Oyster Reef Restoration program, which Aramco has supported for years. Replanting and replacing trees damaged by Hurricane Harvey has Aramco volunteers once again picking up their shovels to support Trees for Houston projects. This month, a focused effort to replant trees along Braes Bayou, one of Houston’s major bayous, brought out a loyal following of Aramco volunteers who have become amateur arborists after participating in the company’s many tree-planting events throughout the city. Aramco is staying true to its commitment to serve the community. It will take time to repair and rebuild Houston. “We are marathoners, not sprinters,” said one Aramco volunteer. “The race to recover will be steady, and we plan to be there.”

Learn more about Aramco and its community partners in action.