Corporate America Reaches Out to Haiti Through World Vision

Aid Agency Expresses Thanks to Corporate Donors; Opens Miami Warehouse

Asks for Partnership and Perseverance Over Extended Recovery & Rebuilding

SEATTLE, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- International aid agency World Vision today offered thanks and appreciation to each of its corporate donors for their enthusiastic support of World Vision's relief work in Haiti, and announced the opening of its new Miami warehouse.  

Immediately after the initial 7.3 quake struck the Caribbean island nation on January 12, World Vision began receiving cash and product donations from a broad range of corporations, alongside record-breaking cash donations from the public.  Total income to World Vision for its Haiti relief response currently stands at $22.6 million, with more than $4 million of that total as gifts-in-kind (GIK).  As emergency response and program planning by World Vision continue in Haiti, the agency will communicate more specific product requests to corporations in the coming weeks and months.

To undergird its extensive, long-term Haiti relief response, World Vision has opened a 90,000 square foot facility in Miami through which large quantities of emergency and recovery goods will flow.  This operation has been made possible through the generosity of Flagler Development and Yellow Freight.

"It's been an agonizing two weeks since the initial quake's strike.  As we have all seen so vividly, it is obvious that our support for the Haitian people will need to extend years into the future," said David Owens, vice president for corporate development at World Vision.

Many companies choose to partner with World Vision over the long-term for disaster response because of the organization's "first in, last out" philosophy. This means that its programs are designed not only to meet immediate needs, but to help children, families, and communities overcome poverty to become self-sustaining.  

"Companies like McKesson Corporation and Cardinal Health are invaluable even during our 'non-emergency' times," added David Owens.  "So imagine how critical their medical supplies have become to us in Haiti now.  These are the type of products that World Vision had pre-positioned in Haiti so that we were able to respond quickly.  With the immensity of this catastrophe, we are deeply grateful for these and other partners who will stand with us over the long haul."

World Vision's Corporate Development Team would also like to acknowledge:

Procter & Gamble:  

Procter & Gamble, through its Children's Safe Drinking Water program, donated $280,000 to World Vision that will provide 2.1 million PUR water purification packets.  These packets will produce an estimated 21 million liters (5.54 million gallons) of clean drinking water for the children and families in Haiti.

Best Western:

The hotel giant is now enabling its customers to donate their Best Western Rewards points to a special Haiti relief fund for World Vision.  Best Western customers have already donated over $85,000 to this fund. The hotel chain is also fundraising with its hotel owners and corporate staff.

Other examples of corporate and employee generosity:

• $50,000 grant by Microsoft
• $50,000 grant by Eli Lilly
• $50,000 grant by Verizon
• Employee giving match by JP Morgan Chase
• Employee giving match from Salesforce.com      

"Our U.S. corporate donors have been incredibly generous, and we sincerely thank them," said Brad Masterson, national director of corporate development at World Vision.  "We have a very long road ahead of us, and it's encouraging and humbling that so many are offering significant and innovative donations that will ultimately lay the foundation for long-term recovery and rebuilding."

Companies interested in partnering with or donating directly to World Vision are asked to call 1-800-642-1616.

Public donations to World Vision's Haiti Quake Response can be made by calling 888-56-CHILD, at www.worldvision.org, or by texting the word "GIVE" to 20222.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tacking the causes of poverty and injustice. For more information, please visit www.worldvision.org/press

SOURCE World Vision

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