Hunter Douglas Inc., the leading manufacturer and marketer of custom window fashions in North America, announced that it has donated a total of $200,000 to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a global humanitarian organization, to help all those in need following Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the central Philippines last month.

Hunter Douglas Horizontal Blinds Division and Custom Shutters Division are located in Gilbert. The Custom Shutters Division has a plant in Phoenix.  Comfortex, a Hunter Douglas company, also has plant in Phoenix.

Hunter Douglas made an initial donation to the IRC of $50,000 and subsequently matched all additional donations received from its employees.  In less than three weeks, the Company received $70,000 in employee contributions to its Hunter Douglas Philippines Relief Fund and then added an additional $80,000 for a total of $200,000.

Marv Hopkins, Hunter Douglas President and CEO, presented the donation yesterday at the Company’s Pearl River headquarters to John Keys, Senior Vice President of Programs for the IRC.

“On behalf of all Hunter Douglas employees in the U.S. and Canada, I am pleased to present this gift to the IRC as they aid in the long-term recovery of the Philippine people from one of the most powerful storms in recorded history,” said Hopkins.  “Rated A+ by the American Institute of Philanthropy, the IRC is a highly effective and efficient organization which we have supported in the wake of previous disasters.”

Founded in 1933 and assisting millions of people around the world, the New York-based IRC is a leader in emergency relief, rehabilitation, protection of human rights and refugee resettlement services. In the Philippines, led by a team of veteran first responders, the IRC is focusing on sanitation, health, shelter,  livelihood regeneration and the protection of the most vulnerable including women, girls, children and the elderly.  Its sanitation teams have distributed water containers and hygiene kits to help prevent the spread of disease.  The IRC is also working with local partners to kick-start regional markets through livelihood programs – so-called “cash-for-work” programs – such as clearing debris or building emergency shelters so that Filipinos can participate in the rebuilding of their communities in exchange for cash.

“We are most grateful to Hunter Douglas and its caring employees for their generous gift,” stated David Miliband, President and CEO of the IRC.  “The funds will directly benefit the people of Philippines as we work with them in this time of need.”

Concluded Hopkins, “I am very proud and appreciative of the generosity and compassion of our Hunter Douglas employees throughout North America who contributed to our Philippines Relief
Fund.”