Hi everyone I’ve been interested in flashlights for as long as I can remember. It seems like I get really into one type or another type of flashlight or one manufacturer more than another every now and then. Lately I’m on a Dorcy / DieHard kick, and here is the reason why:
I just wanted to let you know about the very cool thing that Dorcy flashlights did for so many of us who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy. I’ve become friends with a guy who works at Dorcy. When he heard about our area being hit by Hurricane Sandy, and being without power, he reached out to me and offered to send a bunch of flashlights, lanterns, headlamps, and batteries to me so that I could pass them out to those in need. Mark sent three 50lb boxes to me overnight, completely free of charge.
With a few hundred flashlights in hand my wife and I set out on foot around our neighborhood in the dark, giving away the flashlights to our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and strangers without power. We even had enough flashlights to give several to a few groups taking donations for those in need, as well as the group of volunteers I work with on the Auxiliary Police Department, and my wife distributed some to the people who volunteered along side of her at a “soup kitchen” to help those in need.
Along with each flashlight we handed out an abbreviated version of the Dorcy products catalogue. It was just a small paper flyer with some of their product and contact information on it, but we hope that the next time people are looking to make a flashlight or battery purchase they remember the generosity and support from Dorcy during Hurricane Sandy, which created power outages lasting 10 days or longer for so many of us in our area. And I’m glad we were able to reach out even further with the help of friends who are re-distributing the Dorcy lights to people who are still displaced from there homes and without power even now as Thanksgiving has just passed.
Also worth noting - When Dorcy recognized that an order for lights or batteries was coming from the NY - NJ area affected by Hurricane Sandy, they automatically upgraded the shipping to overnight shipping free of charge!
For those of you reading this who would like to take a closer look at the Dorcy website here is the info: www.dorcy.com or to purchase products go to www.dorcydirect.com and you can use the coupon code FALL for a 15% discount, free shipping and free batteries with purchase! And I think they are having some even better discounts on their brand new line of DieHard flashlights and batteries for black Friday (25%off!!! and free batteries). Check it out on the Dorcydirect website.
I know for some of us Flashaholics, Hurricane Sandy offered an opportunity not only to put our love of flashlights to good use, and to possibly share our interest in lighting with others, but for so many people this storm has just been a living nightmare. Situations such as Hurricane Sandy bring out the best and the worst in people. As witnessed by news reports, people were fighting in long gas lines, people were stealing generators right out of neighbors backyards, looting stores etc, However, it is refreshing to see a company like Dorcy step up and reach out and shine a little light on an otherwise dark time!
So keep an eye out and you will likely see a few Dorcy or DieHard light reviews from me here on the BudgetLightForum. I believe in suporting the companies which step up and help people out, and so I actually bought a bunch of Dorcy and DieHard products to use as Christmas gifts this year …and a few just for myself And so I just want to get this out there… despite Dorcy’s generosity and the fact that I’m friendly with someone who works there, when I review their lights weather they are great or junk, I will say it like it is - keeping in mind the price point they are sold, and the design intentions of the light. I don’t expect a $20 or even a $60 dorcy flashlight to be on par with a $225 Surefire or even a $100 Fenix or JetBeam. —Tim