This is pretty cool – Sol, Inc, a solar light fixture manufacturer in Florida, is sending a whole bunch of their solar lighting to Haiti to assist in the humanitarian effort. Sol helped out with their lighting products in the Hurricane Katrina and Rita efforts too, so they’re no strangers to this kind of work. Check out the press release below – I want to get this out to as many people as I can reach. You can also donate a solar light to Haiti, and Sol’s sending down some people to install them:
PALM CITY, Fla., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ — Millions of dollars of relief may never reach Haitians in time unless roadways, relief camps, hospitals and distribution areas can operate past dark.
Donating $300,000 and organizing relief efforts for Haiti, Sol, Inc. is no stranger to the effect solar lights have on safety and security. With over 40,000 solar lighting systems installed in over 60 countries on six continents, Sol, Inc. CEO Rick Schuett knew that the Sol, Inc. team had the expertise and desire to make a real difference.
“The Board of Directors chaired by Michael Sonnenfeldt, along with Sol, Inc. employees felt compelled to assist the victims of this earthquake,” said Rick Schuett, CEO of Sol, Inc. “We know that once our solar lighting systems are installed, we will effectively double the amount of available relief effort time by allowing aid workers and rescuers to work around the clock when previously operations had to cease at dusk. In addition, our lighting systems will provide safety and security as well as being a hallmark that civility is being restored to the area.”
The total donation is expected to exceed $400,000 with assistance from suppliers, donations and a solar light matching program.
Facilitating the assistance to Haiti is not a small task.
Sol, Inc. is working with Florida Congressman Rooney’s Stuart office, several relief agencies and government agencies to transport the solar lights from Florida and get them installed in Haiti as quickly as possible. Missionary Flights International – http://www.missionaryflights.org – based in Ft. Piece has graciously agreed to fly some of the solar lighting systems as well as Sol, Inc. volunteers. Sol, Inc. is working with other relief organizations such as World Vision – http://www.worldvision.org , Unicef – http://www.unicef.org and Hands On Disaster Response – http://www.hodr.org to coordinate the installation, local logistics and security for the traveling team.
In addition, Sol, Inc. is dispatching a 44′ catamaran donated by local entrepreneur Deane Blazie of Jupiter Island, which is scheduled to leave late Sunday or Monday (depending on weather). The boat will remain in Haiti for the next several weeks providing ground support and logistics.
Several of Sol, Inc.’s suppliers have generously donated time and materials including Alliance Composites Inc., C & L Technologies, Citizen Electronics, Haze Battery U.S.A., Karl Lust and SPOSTO Interactive, allowing Sol, Inc. to increase the number of solar light systems that will be available to the relief efforts.
“Our efforts will continue,” said Schuett. “If you or your organization would like to donate money, medical supplies, water or equipment, please contact us immediately. Sol, Inc. is also actively seeking air and ocean transportation avenues for forthcoming donations.”
Victor Sotolongo is coordinating the Solar Lights Donation logistics for Sol, Inc. Call, text or email him at 772.205-9987 or v.sotolongo@solarlighting.com .
Sol will be providing additional lights through a special ongoing Solar Lights for Haiti matching program it has established. For every solar light system purchased, Sol, Inc. will match the donation with a second solar light system. To support the solar lights for Haiti relief effort, visit http://www.solarlighting.com and click “Donate Light to Haiti Earthquake Victims.”
Sol, Inc.’s solar light philanthropy program has assisted victims and volunteers in disaster recovery. Past recipients include: Hurricane Katrina Recovery Lighting (2005), Hurricane Rita Recovery Lighting (2005), Peruvian Earthquake Relief (2007), and Chapman, Kansas Tornado Redevelopment Lighting (2009). For more information about Sol, Inc.’s charitable outreach program visit: http://www.solarlightingusa.com/community-outreach.html
About Sol, Inc. – http://www.solarlighting.com
Sol, Inc. is the world leader in solar LED outdoor lighting solutions with over 40,000 systems installed in more than 60 countries on six continents. Since 1990, Sol has introduced innovative and cost-effective solar lighting systems that provide unsurpassed levels of illumination and reliability. Sol, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets commercial/industrial-grade solar powered and energy efficient lighting systems for a wide range of lighting applications including area and security, street and roadways, sign and billboards and transit and shelter lighting. Sol, Inc. is ISO 9001:2000 certified and committed to superior design, manufacturing, and customer satisfaction.
We are working on a project for donating House trailers to Haiti for eventually installing them on sites of choice by the Government of Haiti.
The villages will need minimum neighborhood street lighting and community play area lighting. The sites will certainly be in “new” areas without electricity. Please contact me by return mail as I think that a fully integrated approach at this level could really make the difference.
Best Regards
Alexander von Lignau
Haiti Cell: 509 3721-7999 or 509 3456-6969.
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