press releases
Local Plant With Purpose & Haiti News Coverage
1/13/10 Fox 5 News http://www.fox5sandiego.com/news/kswb-ships-haiti,0,5380575.story
1/14/10 KPBS http://www.kpbs.org/news/2010/jan/14/san-diego-aid-organizations-help-haiti/
1/14/10 KUSI http://www.kusi.com/news/goodmorning/81791382.html
Press Releases
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SAN DIEGO- July 6, 2010- Plant With Purpose, a nonprofit working internationally to reverse poverty and deforestation among the rural poor, has employed over 2,100 farmers through their “Cash for Work” program to plant over 170,000 trees and construct over 260 miles of soil erosion barriers since the devastating earthquake. This progress will provide a vital barrier against potentially deadly hurricane storms, and is a testament to the leadership of the local staff who were on the ground at the time of the earthquake and were able to respond faster than most agencies. Founded in 1984, Plant With Purpose has been at work in rural Haiti for 13 years. The organization focuses on holistic solutions to poverty through implementing sustainable agriculture programs, creating economic opportunity through micro-enterprise, and encouraging spiritual renewal. Plant With Purpose currently works in 67 villages in Haiti and focuses on long-term development work to ensure that villages are more resilient to natural disasters. Due to the severity of the earthquake, Plant With Purpose is raising funds for relief efforts as well, which includes tree planting and employment opportunities. “Our needs increased exponentially with the earthquake,” said Plant With Purpose Executive Director, Scott Sabin. “We were blessed with an over-whelming response from long-term and new donors, raising nearly $1 million for Haiti. Our donors believe in our mission and continue to support us despite the downturn in the economy, and for that we are very grateful.” An expert on Haiti, Sabin is the author of the recently released book, Tending To Eden, where he reflects on his work in Haiti and makes the connection between poverty and the environment. For interview inquiries, or for additional information on Haiti and Plant With Purpose, including videos and photos, please contact Kate McElhinney at kate@plantwithpurpose.org. Plant With Purpose Raises Awareness & a Record $2,000 at Annual Earth Day Event SAN DIEGO- April 22, 2010- Plant With Purpose, a local environmental nonprofit working internationally to reverse poverty and deforestation among the rural poor, raised $2,000 during their 20th consecutive year at Balboa Park’s Earth Fair last Sunday, which is double the amount raised at last year’s event. This amount will go toward Plant With Purpose’s goal to plant 1 million trees this year. By donating $1 dollar to plant a tree, hundreds of people at the Earth Day event took part in reforesting the earth and transforming the lives of the rural poor. Plant With Purpose has planted over 4 million trees worldwide since 1984. The organization currently has programs in six countries, including For more information on Plant With Purpose, or for photos or interview opportunities, please contact Kate McElhinney at kate@plantwithpurpose.org. Plant With Purpose Executive Director Visits “During my visit, I witnessed the Plant With Purpose local Haitian staff working alongside the rural farmers to help and oversee the programs,” said Sabin. “Because the local staff were present at the time of the earthquake, they were able to respond immediately and efficiently, and their tireless work is truly the reason our communities in Plant With Purpose, a nonprofit organization working internationally to reverse poverty and deforestation among the rural poor, currently works in 67 villages in Since the earthquake, Plant With Purpose has distributed over 250,000 pounds of rice, and has provided 79,000 pounds of bean seed to thousands of rural farmers. Additionally, the organization has employed 489 workers to construct 86 miles of soil conservation barriers, which will provide a vital barricade against the impending hurricane season. Sabin is the author of the recently released book, Tending To Eden: Environmental Stewardship for God’s People where he reflects on his time in Plant With Purpose Plant With Purpose Executive Director Scott Sabin Available for Plant With Purpose, a nonprofit organization working internationally to reverse poverty and deforestation among the rural poor, currently works in 84 villages in After the devastating hurricanes of 2008, Plant With Purpose was able to raise $143,000 to aid 2,000 Haitian farmers who lost their homes, crops, and stability. Plant With Purpose has been attempting to reach their Haitian staff, most of whom are located 40 miles southwest of Please contact Kate McElhinney for all media inquiries at kate@plantwithpurpose.org or office line (858) 274-3718 or cell phone (925) 872-1642. Plant With Purpose Celebrates 25 Years with Most Successful Gala Ever
Event Raises a Record Breaking $317,000 to Benefit the Rural PoorSAN DIEGO – October 10, 2009 – Plant With Purpose, a nonprofit organization working internationally to reverse poverty and deforestation among the rural poor, recently had its most successful gala to date raising a record breaking $317,000 to directly benefit the lives of the rural poor around the globe. The amount garnered is a tremendous jump from last year’s event, which raised $228,085. Hosted on October 10th at the San Diego Marriott La Jolla by renowned auctioneer and former NBC San Diego morning news anchor Bill Menish, the annual Planting Hope Gala is the organization’s largest fundraising event of the year and had over 300 guests in attendance who participated in silent and live auctions and celebrated Plant With Purpose’s 25th anniversary of helping to transform impoverished communities. All the proceeds from the evening will go toward the greatest needs in the six countries where Plant With Purpose works, including reforestation projects in Haiti, community-based savings and loan systems in Tanzania, and greenhouses in Mexico. “We are so pleased by the incredible amount raised,” said Scott Sabin, Executive Director of Floresta. “It is amazing to witness people’s generosity and altruistic spirit despite the unstable state of the economy. The funds raised will allow us to multiply our efforts and ultimately make a significant impact in the lives of the rural poor.” Plant With Purpose has planted over 4 million trees worldwide since 1984. The organization currently has programs in six countries, including the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Tanzania, Burundi, and Thailand. Just one dollar plants a tree which starts the process of reversing deforestation and poverty. Floresta Launches Plant With Purpose to Restore the Environment and Reverse Poverty Worldwide
New Initiative Uses Revolutionary Technology to Grow Villages and Raise Awareness SAN DIEGO – April 8, 2009 – Building on 25 years of successfully protecting the environment and helping the rural poor, the global non-profit organization, Floresta, has launched Plant With Purpose, a bold approach to capture the groundswell of interest in addressing environmental and social justice issues worldwide. The new online community offers visitors a closer connection with nearly 200 villages being served around the world. “People today are becoming more aware of the urgency involved in restoring our environment, and they feel empowered to make an impact that will last for generations to come,” said Scott Sabin, Executive Director of Floresta. “Plant With Purpose provides an immediate opportunity for people to transform the lives of the rural poor by restoring their land and offering them economic opportunities.” One of the programs, Grow a Village, allows donors to support a share of a village for only $30 a month. Additionally, people can shop for program needs such as water cisterns, environmentally safe stoves and latrines, and livestock. Web site visitors can virtually tour communities, donate to a need, and then automatically view the impact of their contribution as the Web site tracks the program’s funding. “Grow a Village allows people a more tangible way to get involved,” said Doug Satre, Floresta’s Director of Outreach and Development. “Donors are able to view pictures of the rural farmers, the indigenous program staff, and descriptions of the villages so they feel connected and become more educated on the challenges these people face. Alternatively, visitors have the option to make a general donation.” Floresta has already planted 4 million trees and made over 6,500 small business loans worldwide since 1984. The organization currently has programs in six countries, including the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Tanzania, Burundi, and Thailand. About Plant With Purpose For all media inquiries, please contact:
Kate McElhinney
Marketing Coordinator (858) 200-0004 Office (925) 872-1642 Cell kate@plantwithpurpose.org
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