It has been more than a month since the devastating earthquake destroyed Haiti. Dozens of nations and non-profit organizations are working nonstop to help rebuild the country. Parkson has joined these efforts and said it is committed to improving the quality of water in Haiti. The company is working with several non-profits and partners to build and install a low-maintenance treatment facility in the coming months.
"Our intention is to have a new plant designed by the middle of 2010 and installed late this year or in early 2011," said Zain Mahmood, Parkson's CEO. "A Parkson engineer will travel to Haiti in mid-March to evaluate the specific needs, operating requirements and potential installation sites."
Following the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia, Parkson developed and installed a water treatment plant in Thailand, which has treated 500 million gal of water since it was launched.
Additionally, in the week of the Haiti earthquake, Parkson's Giving Committee met and decided to direct approximately 20% of its annual giving allocations to the Haiti efforts via the American Red Cross. Besides the American Red Cross, Parkson has three long-term philanthropic relationships with Engineers Without Borders and Water For People. The company contributes monetarily and its employees get actively involved in projects, such as the upcoming effort in Honduras with Water For People.
Parkson's employees are also pursuing personal appeals for additional fundraising. Mike Miller, vice president of the Municipal Business, created his own Hair for Haiti campaign and raised more than $4,000 from company employees. A week after the earthquake struck, Miller had his hair shaved in his quest to raise additional exposure and dollars for the cause.
"We have all been so incredibly moved by the recent events in Haiti and our hearts go out to the victims of this terrible tragedy,” Miller said. “I thought that I could bring attention, and a bit of levity, to the cause by offering my locks in return for additional giving.”
Source: Parkson
