For Immediate Release
May 1, 2008

Ferguson and Stock Building Supply offer support to Virginia community damaged by tornado

NEWPORT NEWS, VA — Wolseley’s North American Division, which includes Ferguson and Stock Building Supply, is distributing relief packages to victims of the recent tornadoes and storms that caused widespread damage this week in southeastern Virginia.

The packages, delivered Thursday to the City of Suffolk for distribution in the tornado-ravaged neighborhoods, consist of 150 pairs of PROSELECT leather gloves, 68 sheets of ply board, 40 PROSELECT tarps, 30 RAPTOR hammers, 30 shovels and 10 boxes of 16D nails.  Stock Building Supply is providing the plywood and nails, and the other materials are being donated by Ferguson.

“Upon hearing about the tornado, we first checked to ensure that all of our associates in the area were OK and then we immediately focused our attention on the community and how we could help,” said Ray Ferrara manager of emergency operations for Wolseley’s North American Division.

“As I was delivering the emergency supplies to the City of Suffolk on Thursday for release to the community through their emergency relief distribution center, a call came in from the Suffolk Fire Department asking about the tarps,” Ferrara said.  “It felt good knowing that we could help them, and I was proud to represent a company that cares so much about its associates and the communities in which we work."
The twister that hit Suffolk, Va., caused more than $18 million in damage as it zigzagged in a 25-mile path through residential areas, obliterating some homes while leaving others untouched.  More than 200 people were injured during the April 28 tornado, which also damaged scores of businesses and downed dozens of trees and power lines.

“Giving back to the communities where we live just feels right,” said Ferrara. “We pride ourselves on the fact that we are able to help those in need.”

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