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Editorial
Compassion
and Generosity
BWe watched in horror
as the news reports came in on the massive earthquake and devastating
tsunami in Southeast Asia. It was the day after Christmas, and as
we sat with family and friends still relaxing in the warm feelings
of the holiday we were shocked, stunned and awed by what we saw,
heard and read.
Fortunately, there were those among us in the window coverings industry
who did not sit idly. Within days we received an e-mail from C &
M Wood Industries announcing the donation of $10,000 to the International
Red Cross to assist those in need. With that came a strong encouragement
for others—customers, vendors, industry professionals —
to donate whatever they could to relief efforts. “In such an
overwhelming disaster, no contribution can be considered too small,”
wrote Lisa Altman, C & M national sales director.
The next day came another e-mail with more news of an industry leader
responding to the needs of others halfway around the world. Norman
Shutters donated one percent of its total sales for December to
three relief agencies: Care USA, the American Red Cross and Tzu
Chi Foundation. It, too, challenged and encouraged its customers
and vendors to raise more contributions. “We cannot ignore
those who have suffered such tremendous loss,” said the company’s
president Morgan Chuang. “Each of us has so much to be grateful
for.”
Hunter Douglas, which has suffered a deep loss much closer to home
with the unexpected death of Don Lumbatis, also is adding to tsunami
relief efforts. The Hunter Douglas Foundation has established the
Tsunami Relief Effort and with the Lumbatis family is asking that
any memorials be sent as donations to the foundation.
In mid-January, the American Red Cross reported collecting more
than $144 million in personal and corporate donations for the survivors
of this tragic disaster. To learn more about how these donations
are used to bring basic health care, food and shelter to those in
need you should visit www.redcross.org. No matter which relief agency
you choose, it is very gratifying to be part of an industry that
is quick to act with compassion and generosity.
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