CaribPR Wire

TORONTO, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ – RBC today announced that the RBC Blue Water Project will commit $1 million to support the efforts of ONE DROP and Oxfam to provide access to water and sanitation to the people of Haiti and rebuild small water and sanitation infrastructure in the country.

“The outpouring of support by citizens, governments and companies worldwide to help immediate relief efforts in Haiti has been overwhelming,” said Gordon M. Nixon, president and CEO, RBC. “But we know that the people of Haiti will need our support for years to come, as the need for emergency relief subsides, and the priorities for longer-term solutions become more clear in the months and years ahead. In anticipation of the massive work ahead, the RBC Blue Water Project will support the efforts of ONE DROP and its partner Oxfam-Quebec in Haiti to fund programs to mitigate the tremendous water and sanitation challenges faced by the country.”

As part of an ambitious project developed by Oxfam-Quebec, ONE DROP’s Project Haiti will be carried out over a three-year period. Its objective will be to provide sustainable access to water and sanitation, restore small hydraulic and sanitation infrastructures and, through the arts, raise the awareness of thousands of Haitians on the importance of managing water soundly. These are all essential conditions for building a better tomorrow for future generations. ONE DROP and Oxfam-Quebec are currently working out the details of the project.

RBC is a founding corporate partner of ONE DROP, with a pledge of $10 million over 10 years to help fund on-the-ground water projects and awareness programs as needed around the world. Funding for this Haitian project will come from that commitment. RBC has also funded a ONE DROP watershed protection and conservation project in Honduras totalling $1.5 million.

 RBC also announced that on Friday, January 22, 2010, more than 250 RBC employees in Winnipeg, Mississauga, Montreal and Moncton will volunteer their time to handle phone donations to support the Canada for Haiti event. This signature Canadian event is a one hour live national broadcast with CTV, CBC and Global, on Friday, January 22, 2010, airing at 7:00 p.m. EST. RBC employees will continue to accept Canadian phone donations during the broadcast of the “Hope for Haiti Now” benefit organized by George Clooney, airing on these networks.

The RBC Blue Water Project was launched in 2007 to help foster a culture of water stewardship in Canada and abroad, and includes a 10-year, $50 million philanthropic commitment to programs supporting watershed protection and access to clean drinking water. Since 2007, RBC has committed more than $20.48 million in single and multi-year grants to 155 organizations, including ONE DROP.

RBC is recognized among the world’s financial, social and environmental leaders and is included on the Dow Jones World and North American Sustainability Indices, the Jantzi Social Index, the FTSE4Good Index and the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations ranking. In 2009, RBC contributed more than $105 million to community causes worldwide, through donations of more than $52.6 million, and an additional $52.5 million in sponsorship of community events and national organizations.

For more, visit rbc.com/bluewater.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ — Ultimate Chef America by Brookdale invites everyone to join together to support the relief efforts of the American Red Cross in Haiti. Donating is simple at www.brookdaleliving.com.  

 ”The Brookdale family is deeply saddened by the tragic events in Haiti, and concerned for the plight of the citizens of that island nation. We are supporting relief efforts through the Ultimate Chef America Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund,” said Bill Sheriff, chief executive officer of Brookdale. “We encourage your thoughts and prayers for everyone in Haiti, and their extended family and friends.”

As a thank you for a contribution, any person who makes a donation of $10 or more will be mailed a “Music of Ultimate Chef America” CD. To ensure receipt of the CD, please be sure to check “yes” on the donation page when asked if you consent to the American Red Cross sharing your name, address and donation amount with Ultimate Chef America.

 Ultimate Chef America is a dynamic culinary competition among chefs across the United States for the chance to win the Ultimate Chef America title. The tour kicks off Thursday, Jan. 28 in Phoenix.

 In key markets across the country, the Dining Services professionals of Brookdale Senior Living, one of the largest owners and operators of senior living communities, will compete during a two-hour cooking competition focusing on healthy cooking for seniors.

More information about Ultimate Chef America can be found at http://www.ultimatechefamerica.com and http://www.facebook.com/ultimatechefbrookdale

Non-Profit assigned part of downtown Port-au-Prince, Southeast Province

 WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A heavily damaged area of downtown Port-au-Prince and communities in the Southeast province have been assigned to the Pan American Development Foundation and its partners for immediate relief, the non-profit organization announced. www.PanAmericanRelief.org

 Haitian civil defense authorities designated these areas because of PADF’s long development experience in these communities and the urgent need for the organization’s extensive background in disaster management.

 PADF’s assigned zones are: Port-au-Prince’s downtown section of Bel Air, a heavily residential area known for its beautiful cathedral; and the Southeast province, which includes the seaside cities of Jacmel, Cayes-Jacmel and Marigot.

 ”The Southeast province was hit as hard as Port-au-Prince but has yet to receive attention by the international media,” says John Sanbrailo, PADF’s Executive Director. “With such a large mandate, PADF is urging individuals and companies to support our earthquake relief efforts by calling (877) 572-4484 or visiting www.PanAmericanRelief.org. It’s vital to people’s survival.”

 Prior to the devastating 7.0 earthquake, these Southeast province communities (which are about a three-hour drive from Port-au-Prince) were severely damaged by hurricanes and tropical storms 18 months ago. PADF will provide relief supplies to these affected communities via the border city of Pedernales in the Dominican Republic.

 Relief to Bel Air will come through PADF’s office in the capital, which receives its supplies from a land route that connects with the border city of Jimani in the Dominican Republic.

 PADF – which is collaborating with the Organization of American States (OAS), the non-profit Hollywood Unites for Haiti (HUFH) and other groups – has eight offices in Haiti, with its country headquarters in Port-au-Prince. PADF has worked in the country for nearly 30 years on economic development, protecting human rights and responding to natural disasters.

 Meanwhile, actor and President of Hollywood Unites for Haiti, Jimmy Jean-Louis (”The Haitian” on NBC’s “Heroes”) arrived in Port-au-Prince late Saturday to reconnect with his family and to raise awareness of the crisis. What he found stunned him.

 ”It looked like a war had happened,” says Jean-Louis, who was shocked by the magnitude of destruction and the desperate need of the people.

 Jean-Louis is a spokesperson for the PADF-OAS-HUFH campaign to raise money for relief and reconstruction of Haiti. They may do so by calling (877) 572-4484 or visiting www.PanAmericanRelief.org to make a donation.

 About HUFH

Hollywood Unites For Haiti is a non-profit charitable aid organization based in Los Angeles that puts 100 percent of its donations directly into the cause of helping Haitian citizens and raising global awareness of ways in which people can help.

www.hufh.org and www.HaitianHero.com

 About the OAS

The Organization of American States (OAS) is the world’s oldest regional organization, dating back to the First International Conference of American States, which was held in Washington, D.C. from October 1889 to April 1890. Today, it is comprised of 34 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean. www.oas.org

 About PADF

 PADF is a non-profit organization established in 1962 to promote, facilitate, and implement social and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the past year, it had more than 5.6 million beneficiaries in 18 countries.

PADF is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Haiti. With nearly three decades of work on the ground, PADF now manages a large portfolio of activities ranging from community-driven development to protecting human rights.

 Its headquarters is in Washington, D.C., and has field offices in Haiti, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and elsewhere. www.padf.org

BOSTON, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ — Sovereign Bank announced today that it has opened a special account to collect monetary donations for the American Red Cross to aid victims of the earthquake in Haiti.  Cash and check donations will be accepted at all Sovereign Bank branches.

 ”We are saddened by the loss of lives and devastation in Haiti,” said Gabriel Jaramillo, Sovereign Bank President and Chief Executive Officer.  “We hope that providing the public with this opportunity to donate will help bring some relief to the victims of this tragedy.”

 Checks should be made payable to the American Red Cross.  Donors should write “Haiti Relief & Development Fund” in the memo section of their check.

 About Sovereign and Santander

 Sovereign Bank, a subsidiary of Banco Santander, S.A., is a financial institution with principal markets in the northeastern United States. Sovereign has more than 723 branches, over 2,300 ATMs and approximately 9,000 team members.  For more information on Sovereign Bank, visit http://www.sovereignbank.com or call 877-SOV-BANK.

 Banco Santander (SAN.MC, STD.N) is a retail and commercial bank, based in Spain. At the end of 2008, Santander was the largest bank in the euro zone by market capitalization and third in the world by profit. Founded in 1857, Santander had EUR 1,271 billion in managed funds at the end of 2008. Following the acquisition of Sovereign Bancorp in January 2009, Santander has 90 million customers, around 14,000 branches — more than any other international bank — and over 170,000 employees. It is the largest financial group in Spain and Latin America, with leading positions in the United Kingdom and Portugal and a broad presence in Europe through its Santander Consumer Finance arm.

NNU Working to Place Nurses on Haiti Relief Mission

 Probably the largest RN Volunteer Response in U.S. History

 OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ — Nearly 7,500 registered nurses have now signed up to volunteer for Haiti disaster relief,  believed to be the largest outpouring of RN volunteers in U.S. history, reports National Nurses United which is coordinating the effort, and working around the clock to find locations for the nurses to deploy on the ground in Haiti. Nurses from other countries are signing up through the NNU program as well.

 View the attached volunteer breakdown by state and country

 “As reports of dire medical care shortages continue to pour in, we have thousands of registered nurses willing and ready to travel to Haiti,” said NNU Executive Director Rose Ann DeMoro. “We are doing everything in our power to get these nurses engaged as quickly as possible.”

 DeMoro said the NNU is in contact with the federal government and is also willing to work with other nations that are part of the international relief effort. “We know that the few remaining medical facilities in Haiti and those who are now on the ground are completely overwhelmed. In this enormous human tragedy, it is vital to get the nurses deployed rapidly.”

 NNU, the largest union and professional organization of U.S. nurses, which has also sent hundreds of volunteers on past disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina, the South Asia tsunami, and Southern California wildfires, is presently organizing the first team of nurses for deployment.

 “Registered nurses are particularly skilled professionals who are needed to assess and treat patients and their families and to assess their environment. It is not possible to have a comprehensive care and recovery process without RNs. We need to get nurses there quickly,” said NNU Co-president Karen Higgins, RN.

 Additionally, NNU is asking for hospitals to provide paid relief time for nurse volunteers – several systems have already agreed to do so – and asking pharmaceutical and insurance companies to donate vaccines for the volunteer nurses and other medical supplies to bring to Haiti.

 NNU also requests tax-deductible donations to fund travel and supply costs for the RNs. Donations to Send a Nurse to Haiti may be made on line at www.nationalnursesunited.org. Updates are also available @NationalNurses on twitter or by following: #haitiRN.

Travelers Donate $250,000 Following Grand Circle Foundation’s Pledge to Match

 BOSTON, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ — Alan Lewis, Chairman of Grand Circle Corporation, which owns Overseas Adventure Travel and Grand Circle Travel, today reported that $400,000 has been raised by Grand Circle Foundation and travelers to support International Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. 

 In less than 24 hours, 2,000 travelers donated $150,000 after an email from Grand Circle Foundation invited travelers to give to the International Red Cross through the Foundation to receive a match during a given time frame.  The Foundation will match the $150,000 donations from travelers and also will give an additional $100,000 to the International Red Cross in traveler donations made following the end of the matching period. 

 ”We are simply amazed, but certainly not surprised by the speed and generosity of our older travelers,” said Lewis, whose travel companies serve some 115,000 Americans over 50 each year.  “We have always believed that we serve America’s greatest generation, and this recent outpouring from our travelers only confirms it.  We are saddened by the destruction of lives and property in Haiti and pray that our contribution will make a significant difference to those who have lost so much.”

 Lewis and his wife, Harriet, established Grand Circle Foundation in 1992 as a way to give back to the countries through which Overseas Adventure Travel and Grand Circle Travel customers travel.  Since then, the Foundation has pledged or donated more than $47 million worldwide to support the education of young people and the preservation of cultural treasures and traditions.  Currently, the Foundation supports more than 80 schools and educational institutions serving youth in more than 60 countries.

20% Haitian Relief Discount Applied to HCCMIS’s Atlas International Travel Medical Plan

 WARWICK, R.I., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ — In the wake of this week’s devastating earthquake, premier travel insurance comparison site InsureMyTrip.com and travel medical provider HCC Medical Insurance Services, LLC (HCCMIS) have launched a special initiative providing medical and evacuation coverage at reduced rates for U.S. travelers heading to Haiti to aid in relief efforts.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070529/NETU076LOGO )

 Through an exclusive partnership, a 20% Haitian Relief Discount has been applied to all HCCMIS Atlas International travel medical plans on InsureMyTrip.com covering U.S. citizens traveling to Haiti.  “By working together with HCCMIS, we are able to provide critical coverage most affordably, and protect those traveling to Haiti to assist in relief efforts or to locate loved ones,” explains Jim Grace, President and CEO of InsureMyTrip.com.

 Providing coverage where many traditional healthcare plans leave off, travel medical policies, which also include emergency medical evacuation coverage, provide protection while you’re away from home. Specifically, the HCCMIS Atlas International plan features:

• Medical coverage from $50,000 to $1,000,000
• Emergency medical evacuation to $500,000
• 24-hour Customer Support

InsureMyTrip.com urges relief organizations, aid volunteers, and others traveling to Haiti at this time to contact them for more information.  InsureMyTrip’s expert Customer Care team is standing by to answer questions and provide step-by-step assistance.  Visit www.insuremytrip.com or call (800) 487-4722 to speak with a licensed travel insurance representative, Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to midnight, Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.

 About InsureMyTrip.com

Established in 2000, InsureMyTrip.com is the leading, consumer-oriented online travel insurance aggregator worldwide.  Featuring insurance comparisons from the top industry providers, InsureMyTrip.com is a unique, one-stop resource designed to meet consumers’ comprehensive travel insurance needs all in a secure environment.  InsureMyTrip.com also specializes in providing integrated technology solutions for the travel insurance industry, with over 2,000 private-labeled and co-branded travel-related websites around the globe.  InsureMyTrip.com is headquartered in Warwick, RI with additional offices and data centers in Connecticut and Oregon.

 About HCCMIS

HCC Medical Insurance Services, LLC (HCCMIS), headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a full service organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of insurance products designed specifically to address the insurance needs of consumers worldwide.  HCCMIS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HCC), a leading international specialty insurance group with offices across the United States and in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Ireland.  HCC has assets of $9.0 billion, shareholders’ equity of $3.0 billion and is rated AA (Very Strong) by Standard & Poor’s and AA (Very Strong) by Fitch Ratings.  In addition, HCC’s major domestic insurance companies are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company. 

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MIAMI, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Royal Caribbean Cruises, one of Haiti’s largest foreign investors for almost 30 years, today announced its plans to provide at least $1 million in humanitarian relief to Haiti in response to the catastrophic earthquake in Port-Au-Prince.  Royal Caribbean will be partnering with charitable organizations – such as Food for the Poor, Pan American Development Foundation, and the Solano Foundation, the company’s foundation in Haiti – to provide additional assistance to the people of Haiti.  Royal Caribbean will also be delivering much needed goods and supplies to Haiti via their cruise ships.

 ”The effect of the earthquake on Haiti has been catastrophic, leaving the country in need of not only immediate support, but assistance in their long-term recovery,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.  “Royal Caribbean wants to do its part to help out not only the general response, but also our hundreds of Haitian employees and their families through this disaster.”

 ”In addition to our financial contribution, Royal Caribbean will continue to provide economic support through the continuous business we bring to Labadee,” Fain added.

 Leslie Voltaire, Special Envoy of the government of Haiti to the United Nations said, “Given the terrible economic and social challenges we now face in Haiti, we welcome the continuation of the positive economic benefits that the cruise ship calls to Labadee contribute to our country.”

 The benefits start with Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas’ call today to Labadee, Haiti, which includes much needed supplies for the country.  The supplies were loaded on the ship during its call in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and include items such as rice, dried beans, powdered milk, water and canned goods.  In addition, 100 percent of the company’s net revenue from the destination will be contributed to the relief effort. 

In the next two weeks, the following ships are scheduled to call on Labadee with additional supplies: Navigator of the Seas on Monday, January 18; Liberty of the Seas on Tuesday, January 19; and Celebrity Solstice on Friday, January 22.  When the supplies arrive in Labadee, they will be transported to an offsite location to be distributed by Food for the Poor, a long time partner of Royal Caribbean in Haiti.

 In addition to working with Food for the Poor to distribute relief supplies, guests sailing onboard Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises will be able to make a donation to Food for the Poor’s Haiti Relief Fund, via a charge to their onboard account.  Guests who would like to contribute immediately can visit www.foodforthepoor.org/royalcaribbean to make a donation.  Royal Caribbean also plans to use a portion of the $1 million donation to augment the company’s Crew Relief Fund, which can be drawn on by any of the company’s more than 200 Haitian crew members for assistance, as well as to match employee contributions to the partner organizations.

 As the initial response effort gives way to the long-term recovery effort, Royal Caribbean will consider further support efforts.

 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Cruises and CDF Croisieres de France.  The company has a combined total of 39 ships in service and four under construction.  It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Dubai, Europe and South America.  Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebritycruises.com, www.pullmantur.es, www.azamaracruises.com, www.cdfcroisieresdefrance.com or www.rclinvestor.com.

Comfort Inn Hotel Will Be First Global Hotel Brand for Haiti in More Than a Decade; Island will Also Be Home to Ascend Collection Member Hotel

 SILVER SPRING, Md., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ — While hotel development across the globe has slowed, leading lodging company Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is pleased to announce the future addition of two new Caribbean hotels to its portfolio of more than 6,000 franchised properties worldwide. The new Comfort Inn hotel and Ascend Collection member hotel mark the first-ever Choice-brand properties for the island of Haiti, further expanding the great Choice Hotels lodging options for travelers across the Caribbean. The Comfort Inn hotel which will open in 2010 will mark the first global hotel brand that the island of Haiti has hosted in more than a decade.

“Choice is extremely proud to take a leadership position in revitalizing Haiti’s tourism product,” said Brian Parker, vice president of emerging markets and new business development for Choice Hotels. “We are equally excited to work with a company the caliber of SIMACT to bring two of our brands to the island.”  

 Both hotels will be located in Haiti’s historic township of Jacmel, known as the island’s cultural center thanks to its popular carnival festivities and arts, music and film festivals. The Comfort Inn hotel will feature 32 guest rooms with breathtaking views of the shores of the Caribbean Sea, featuring all the amenities travelers can expect from Comfort Inn hotels, including free breakfast and free high-speed Internet access.

 The newly-built luxury Ascend Collection member hotel will offer 120 elegantly-appointment guestrooms and is planned as part of the area’s new Belle Rive development project, which will also include a residential community, retail, dining, entertainment, recreational and marina facilities. This Ascend Collection member hotel will be the second Caribbean location for the membership program after its first location in the region — Le Consulat hotel of San Juan, Puerto Rico — opened in late 2008.

 ”Our Ascend Collection program is an excellent membership opportunity for upscale independent hotels and we are thrilled that the Caribbean is at the forefront of our international expansion,” said Kevin Lewis, brand president of upscale and extended stay for Choice Hotels.

 ”The new collaborative relationship between Choice Hotels and SIMACT will have a significantly positive impact on the burgeoning tourism industry of the southeastern coast of Haiti,” said Lesly Kernisant, president of SIMACT, owner of the new Comfort Inn hotel and Ascend Collection member hotel.

 Choice Hotels currently boasts 9 Caribbean properties, a total of 815 guestrooms, in the Bahamas, Cayman Island, Curacao, Puerto Rico, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Ascend Collection is an elite network of Historic, Unique and Boutique member hotels that made its debut at the end of 2008 and now has more than 30 hotels throughout the United States, Canada and now, the Caribbean. For more information on Choice Hotels, visit choicehotels.com.

About SIMACT

SIMACT, Inc. is a New York-based company with a range of investment interests that are focused upon the Republic of Haiti. SIMACT (Societe Immobiliere d’Agriculture, de Commerce, et de Tourisme) was founded in 1996 by a group of Haitian professionals, initially focusing upon real estate development opportunities. The company, which began with six investors, now has 51 shareholders. It has expanded the original vision of the founders and now encompasses investment and ownership in several key areas of enterprise – tourism, mining, financial services, and agriculture. With a capitalization investment in excess of $5,000,000, the company is now poised to take full advantage of its position as one of the most dynamic and progressive American companies engaged in business undertakings in Haiti. SIMACT is currently engaged in several exciting new initiatives in the areas of tourism, mining, and financial services that are based upon the platform of development and success that the company has experienced to date.

 About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,000 hotels, representing more than 485,000 rooms in the United States and more than 35 other countries and territories. As of September 30, 2009, more than 700 hotels are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 59,000 rooms, and more than 100 hotels, representing approximately 9,400 rooms, are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 20 other countries and territories. The company’s Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands serve guests worldwide. In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean have upscale lodging options at historic, boutique and unique hotels.

 Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Web site, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.

 Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Ascend Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

(C) 2009 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.