CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte, N.C.-based Sunbelt Rentals announced that it is donating $50,000 to the American Red Cross to assist with the relief effort for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Sunbelt's contribution consists of an initial $50,000 cash donation, plus all additional money raised by an employee fundraising drive.

Cliff Miller, Sunbelt Rentals president and CEO said, “There's so much we can do to assist with immediate relief and future rebuilding of these communities. The initial financial donations to the Red Cross will help meet basic needs for food, water and shelter. But Sunbelt fully intends to be involved in the ongoing rebuilding and restoration of the region. Compassion has never been in short supply among the Sunbelt Rentals team, and we're working now to create opportunities for our employees, customers and vendors to give as much of their time and services to the effort as possible.”

Several days prior to Hurricane Katrina hitting the Gulf Coast, Sunbelt began preparing equipment for mobilization from locations throughout the country. It set up an operations center at its Charlotte headquarters to coordinate activity, plus a base of operations at its Mobile, Ala., general tool and pump and power locations to provide emergency response to customers throughout the region.