Best Buy : Founder Establishes Disaster Relief Fund for Employees

Andrea WoodStaff Writer

Fifty years ago, Dick Schulze opened his first electronics store in St. Paul, Minnesota, called Sound of Music. Under his leadership, this one store grew into the Best Buy that we know today.

Dick, Best Buy's Founder and Chairman Emeritus, along with his late wife, Sandy, believed that a company is a family. They embedded the spirit of giving back and taking care of one another into the culture of Best Buy. Employees still feel that continued support from our founder today.

We are thrilled to announce that the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation has established a new Best Buy Employee Disaster Relief Fund. Any employee, full-time or part-time, who has been with the company a year or more can obtain relief funds if impacted by a federally declared disaster.

'My deep appreciation for the employees of Best Buy is ongoing,' Dick Schulze said. 'We all go through hard times, and it's our responsibility to help one another when we can. This new fund will provide support and hope for Best Buy families dealing with the aftermath of a disaster.'

In the past, when our communities have been impacted by a natural disaster, Best Buy has made contributions to local assistance organizations and relief funds. We have also partnered with local relief organizations to deploy disaster kits including supplies such as batteries and phone chargers.

Now, this new fund will allow us to help our employees when they need it most. Dick Schulze made philanthropy a way of life at Best Buy. I am proud to work for a company that is rooted in giving back and in making the world a better place.

For more on Best Buy corporate responsibility, follow @BestBuyCSR on Twitter.