Helping the people in Haiti has been a major global effort. Several companies here in the US have been active, but here’s a unique concept created by Anatomic Global Inc (Corona, Calif. based mattress manufacturer) who are an mission to deliver 200,000 emergency field beds to the people of Haiti.
World Bed Pallets — ready to be loaded. A WorldBed pallet contains 50 beds; 4 pallets shown
This Initiative is called WorldBed and WorldBed was initiated during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 in which Anatomic Global mobilized a team to make and distribute 3,000 field beds that ended up benefiting 11,000 persons in need.
In response to the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit near Port-au-Prince, Haiti on January 12, 2010, Anatomic Global, Inc. CEO David Farley, revisited the WorldBed concept and began operating it as an adjunct business unit of his company on January 14, 2010. Its mission is to deliver 200,000 WorldBed products to displaced Haitians over the next year and will continue to aid other global disaster relief programs on an as-needed basis.
WorldBed Trailer of 1800 field beds
To help achieve this goal, the company appointed Orange County resident and former CEO of Irvine-based Pro-Dex, Inc. Patrick Johnson to oversee fundraising efforts of $7.4 million, the cost it will take to make, transport and deliver on the ground to 200,000 “WorldBed” field beds to displaced Haitians.
The WorldBed Project Executive Director Patrick Johnson and The WorldBed Project Program Director Laura Castro will head the team that will travel with World Hope International from March 1-7 to Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas.
They will be working with World Vision throughout the Island and meet with other not-for-profit organizations active in Haiti to better understand their logistical capabilities and each groups’ needs. Both CARE and World Hope have teams trying to get through across the border at the Dominican Republic but it’s been very difficult getting through customs according to the WorldBed source. Also the airport in Port au Prince has just opened to commercial flights as of March 1, 2010.
“Since the project began in January, it has been important to get a team on the ground firsthand to assess how the product is being received and distributed,” said Patrick Johnson, Executive Director of The WorldBed Project. “With the information we gather in Haiti we will be able to better serve the Haitian people in the months to come.”
WorldBeds
“We will not only assist in the distribution of the beds, but we will volunteer and provide needed comfort to those affected by the earthquake,” added Johnson.
In addition to working with World Hope International, the group will help CARE distribute 1,000 beds that they had shipped last week. They will also meet with Parakletos International who delivered the first field beds in January.
To date Anatomic Global has been joined in the effort by FXI Foamex Innovations, Deslee Textiles USA, Royal Packaging, Brookwood Companies and Parakletos International. In addition, Anatomic Global is in discussions with several other mattress manufacturing companies and retailers. The company is re-investing its corporate profits from all operations for the first quarter of 2010 to manufacture WorldBeds for Haitian relief.
About WorldBed
The WorldBed Project is a turnkey sleep system designed for emergency care and relief efforts. Built from high performing 3-inch cushioning foam, the cot-sized field beds can be compression packaged and quickly dispatched, in volume, to areas of need, anywhere, worldwide. It was created to provide needed comfort, increased levels of health and safety, and a more sanitary place to sleep in an effort to speed recovery, aid in healing.
For more information, donations or partnerships, please visit www.worldbed.org
Stevie Wilson, LA-Story.com
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