Businesses Form MaineLine Coalition to Provide Catastrophe Relief and Rebuilding Assistance
MaineLine: Haiti is coalition’s first project; Fundraising efforts target rebuilding phase
Portland, ME – February 9, 2010 – Leadership committee members Preti Flaherty, Unum, Kennebunk Savings Bank, Reed & Reed, CD&M Communications and Mainebiz today announced the formation of MaineLine, a coalition of concerned businesses for catastrophe relief and rebuilding assistance. MaineLine was organized to fill a void for Maine-specific business solutions to this problem by delivering direct, documented relief aid to where it is needed most. By joining together in a coordinated effort and pooling the state’s business resources, Maine companies can make a dramatic and personal impact in relief efforts across the globe. The coalition’s first project is MaineLine: Haiti.
Jonathan S. Piper, Managing Partner, Preti Flaherty, said, “The crisis in Haiti highlighted the need for an organized, strategic effort to help connect Maine businesses to catastrophe sites in order to make a direct, specific difference during the rebuilding phase of relief efforts.” Piper added, “MaineLine addresses this need and provides Maine businesses with the opportunity to target relief funds in desired sectors offering the greatest impact.”
Over the next several months, MaineLine: Haiti will be assessing the needs of multiple aid sectors on the ground in Haiti through direct, in-country involvement and official oversight of an international aid expert. These sectors are likely to include water and sanitation, food and nutrition, shelter and non-food items.
Maine’s Senior Senator Olympia J. Snowe, said, “Despite tough economic times, Mainers have taken swift action, donating much-needed resources and supplies to assist with rescue and relief efforts in Haiti. MaineLine is a great example of the spirit, care, and resourcefulness that has long epitomized Maine’s business community. Rebuilding Haiti and providing assistance to the millions of people whose lives have been devastated will take a long-term, committed effort and I believe business-sponsored relief efforts will play a critical part in the international community’s response to this crisis.”
Once the needs analysis is developed and the most appropriate relief organizations are identified and matched to the coalition members’ directive, arrangements will be made for each company to send the contributions directly to the major aid organization that will distribute the funds with direct oversight and documentation from the coalition representative. The overall distribution and application of monetary, gifts-in-kind (GIK), and expert service contributions from the coalition will be documented by the coalition representative on the ground in Haiti through photography, videos and reporting.
“MaineLine: Haiti is an important vehicle through which Maine businesses can play a significant role in the rebuilding of Haiti,” said Dana F. Connors, president, Maine Chamber of Commerce. “By joining together and pooling their extensive natural resources and brightest minds, Maine businesses are uniquely positioned to help drive relief efforts where they are needed most.”
Leading MaineLine: Haiti’s on-site relief effort is Darcy Pierce. Pierce is a senior partner with Envoy, a Maine-based firm focused on connecting the business world with the developing world. Pierce’s extensive international aid and relief experience spans five continents. He has been a first/early responder and provided on the ground assessment for multiple international disasters, including the 2004 tsunami in Thailand and the 2009 earthquake in Indonesia.
Commenting on the work that lays ahead, Pierce said, “The entire infrastructure of Haiti has collapsed and the rebuilding process will last through 2010 and beyond. Support will be needed to provide everything from housing construction to business restructuring as no sector escaped the devastation.”
MaineLine is actively working to expand coalition membership and increase business participation throughout the state. Membership is open to any Maine company – regardless of size and industry – looking to have a direct impact in Haiti by donating funds, goods or materials. In-country expertise will also be needed, and will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Current membership includes the leadership committee as well as Baker Newman & Noyes, Others! Organic Fair Trade Coffee and Woodard & Curran. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce and the Portland Regional Chamber have also given their support. For more information or to join the coalition please visit www.maineline.org.
About MaineLine
MaineLine is a coalition of concerned businesses for catastrophe relief and rebuilding assistance. Organized by Preti Flaherty, Unum, Kennebunk Savings Bank, Reed & Reed, CD&M Communications and Mainebiz, MaineLine offers Maine-specific business solutions to this problem by delivering direct, documented relief aid to where it is needed most. By joining together in a coordinated effort and pooling our state’s business resources, Maine companies can make a dramatic and personal impact in relief efforts. For more information, please visit www.maineline.org or call (207) 774-7528.