A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a world leader in water heating and water treatment, along with the A. O. Smith Foundation, the company’s charitable arm, has made a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross to help support humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. With operations across the globe, A. O. Smith believes in helping Read more
humanitarian efforts
A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a world leader in water heating and water treatment, along with the A. O. Smith Foundation, the company’s charitable arm, has made a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross to help support humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. With operations across the globe, A. O. Smith believes in helping communities through efforts that focus on health and human services.
According to the American Red Cross website, more than two million people have fled Ukraine to nearby countries and an estimated 18 million – one-third of the country’s population – will need assistance. Red Cross teams have donated food, water, medical supplies, household items and hygiene parcels to families seeking safety.
“Our Foundation’s leadership agreed unanimously to offer this contribution as a small gesture to provide basic human necessities—food, water, shelter, medical care—to those affected,” said Kevin Wheeler, A. O. Smith chairman, president and CEO. “The Foundation deeply believes in giving back to our communities, and while the company doesn’t have operations there, it is impossible not to have compassion for those suffering in Ukraine.”
In addition to the Foundation’s direct financial support, A. O. Smith has also partnered with the American Red Cross to create a donation microsite to assist our employees in making personal contributions to the relief efforts if they choose.
The A. O. Smith Foundation is committed to making our communities a better place to live and work by partnering with and supporting nonprofit organizations around the world. Established in 1955, the Foundation has provided more than $50 million in financial support for worthwhile organizations, institutions and programs.
A.O. Smith Corporation
A.O. Smith Corporation, with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis., is a global leader applying innovative technology and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products. For more information visit www.aosmith.com.
American Red Cross
All money raised through the American Red Cross will enable the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to respond to the humanitarian needs generated by the current situation in Ukraine. This support could include immediate and ongoing relief efforts or other critical humanitarian services as needs arise, both in Ukraine and surrounding countries, including supporting populations displaced.
U.S.-based non-profit WaterStep already has some of its safe water equipment on the way to help Hurricane Dorian survivors in the Bahamas, and in the next few days, a full shipment of tools that produce safe water and disinfectant will be deployed. The shipment will include Disaster Relief Kits, M-100 Chlorine Generators and BleachMakers, which Read more
U.S.-based non-profit WaterStep already has some of its safe water equipment on the way to help Hurricane Dorian survivors in the Bahamas, and in the next few days, a full shipment of tools that produce safe water and disinfectant will be deployed. The shipment will include Disaster Relief Kits, M-100 Chlorine Generators and BleachMakers, which will be set up at a staging area in Abaco so that safe water and disinfectant can be distributed to those areas most in need. WaterStep will use online technology (Skype) to train members of disaster relief organizations already on the ground in Abaco on how to set up and use the equipment.
The innovative M-100 Chlorine Generator is a device that produces safe drinking water for thousands of people a day and is small enough to fit in a backpack. The tool was awarded the international Sustainia Award in 2013 as one of the world’s most impactful and sustainable solutions. The award-winning portable BleachMaker produces medical strength disinfectant used to sanitize clinics, kitchens, shelters. This equipment provides a simple, low-cost way to get large amounts of safe water to the survivors for drinking, showering, cleaning, cooking, washing clothes, and other uses.
WaterStep has responded to 14 different natural disasters since 2009 and has provided safe water to over 3 million people worldwide through their disaster and water initiative work. The natural disasters include the earthquake in Costa Rica in 2009, the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the flooding in Pakistan in 2010 and 2011, the typhoon in the Philippines in 2013, the typhoon in India in 2013, the earthquake in Nepal in 2015, the earthquake in Ecuador in 2016, the landslide in Colombia in 2017, the hurricane in Puerto Rico in 2017, the volcano in Guatemala in 2018, Hurricane Florence in the Carolinas in 2018, the ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019, and the flooding in Malawi in 2019.
“WaterStep has worked throughout the Caribbean in disaster situations, but this is the first time we’ve had the privilege to work with the people of the Bahamas and the organizations that will be impacting them,” says Mark Hogg, Founder and CEO of WaterStep.
To donate to WaterStep’s relief efforts, please visit www.waterforbahamas.org or call (502) 568-6342.