When Southern California wildfires brought devastation and tragedy to the state in January 2025, Cotton CommUNITY responded to the call to action for those who needed it most.

Some of our West Coast neighbors lost everything in the massive fires. To bring dignity, hope and tangible help to the region, we organized a nationwide effort to collect new and gently used clothing. Our Cotton team members and communities showed no hesitation spreading generosity by giving shirts, shoes and more to ensure Californians could begin their road to recovery.

By coming together, we filled three 18-wheeler trailers with donated clothing. Packed and ready to roll, the trailers headed to California from Houston — even as severe cold weather threatened the South — to meet the needs of our neighbors.

To help distribute the clothing, Cotton CommUNITY partnered with United Rescue Mission (URM), a trusted nonprofit organization serving meals, shelter and holistic aid to those in need. URM used the donations to fill their retail stores across Los Angeles. There, families who were recently impacted and displaced by the wildfires could select the clothing they needed — at no cost to them.

The recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area have left many families with nothing but the clothes on their backs. In response to this devastating situation, Cotton Global Disaster Solutions (Cotton GDS) has deployed teams to the region to provide essential commercial restoration services. But our commitment to helping those in need doesn’t stop there. Through Cotton CommUNITY, our natural disaster relief program, we’re rallying support to provide immediate assistance to the individuals and families affected by this tragedy.

We invite you to join us in making a difference by donating new or gently used clothing and shoes, as well as essential items, to those in need.

What We’re Collecting:

HOUSTON (September 18, 2024) – Cotton Holdings, Inc., a Houston-based disaster relief and infrastructure support company, has announced its strategic leadership transition plan to focus on its next stage of growth. Founder Pete Bell will transition to Chairman and Co-CEO focusing on expansion and new opportunities, effective September 18, 2024. At that time, Bryan Michalsky, currently CFO, will be appointed Co-CEO alongside Bell, focusing on day-to-day and operational optimization. In addition, Kevin Freeman, currently EVP of Finance, will be promoted to CFO.

Bell co-founded Cotton in 1996, serving as CEO since inception, with a vision to develop a single-source disaster solutions company and the goal to “never say no.” Under Bell’s leadership, Cotton has been instrumental in the recovery and restoration efforts stemming from the world’s most damaging catastrophes of the past three decades, including high-impact weather events and other natural disasters, wildfires, terrorism, vandalism and environmental mishaps. Beyond disasters, Cotton provides comprehensive logistical support solutions and consultation services to a host of clients in verticals including energy, government, education, medical, infrastructure and more.