MIDLAND, MI., March 30, 2016 - The Dow Chemical Company will partner with Genesee County Habitat for Humanity and the United Way of Genesee County to support ongoing water relief efforts in Flint, Michigan. In addition, various Dow employee groups have taken the initiative to offer support for their neighbors in need.
In partnership with the Genesee County Habitat for Humanity, Dow will offer and install free water filtration systems to all Habitat for Humanity homes in Flint. Dow’s Water and Process Solutions (DW&PS) business will provide the reverse osmosis (RO) technology for the 150 filtration systems, and Michigan-based Dow employees and contractors will volunteer to install the systems.
In addition, Dow’s contribution to the United Way of Genesee County will include a donation of up to $100,000 from The Dow Chemical Company Foundation, consisting of a $50,000 financial contribution and implementation of a Dow global employee matching gift program up to $50,000. This contribution will provide immediate relief efforts through the Flint Water Fund to be used for emergency support services and prevention efforts and is in addition to the previously-donated $10,000 in October 2015.
“Dow understands the significant challenges the Flint community is facing, and is committed to providing both short- and long-term sustainable solutions through our businesses, global citizenship efforts and employee initiatives,” said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow’s chairman and chief executive officer. “These partnerships and initiatives demonstrate what is core to Dow’s culture – helping others and giving back to our neighbors in times of need while working to provide innovative and sustainable business solutions to the Flint community for future generations.
In addition to these partnerships, Dow employees have taken the initiative to offer support. In February, Dow’s African American Network volunteered in Flint and assembled water test kits, distributed water and filtration equipment and assisted with data entry following mobile distribution of water supplies. Subsequently, Dow’s North American Logistics team partnered with its long-standing carrier, XPO Logistics, to transport donated supplies to Flint, as part of a community-wide supply drive in Midland, Michigan that collected ready-made baby formula, baby wipes and bottled water.
“We are grateful for Dow’s contribution to the Habitat family in Flint as we move forward in addressing the needs of the community,” said Margaret Kato, executive director, Genesee County Habitat for Humanity. “Through this contribution, Dow has demonstrated its commitment to providing sustainable solutions to affected communities and its understanding of the importance for volunteerism.
“For the past 75 years, United Way and Dow have worked together to enable community success,” said Jamie Gaskin, chief executive officer, United Way of Genesee County. “Through this financial contribution, Dow and its employees are demonstrating this commitment to the residents of Flint and as a result, the community will be will able to receive the much needed supplies and support that will help them overcome these immediate challenges.”
As part of Dow’s global citizenship strategy and its commitment to innovating for global and local solutions, Dow aims to identify, understand and address society’s most pressing challenges and determine how it can help provide solutions to create sustainable communities throughout the world. Specifically, these contributions and initiatives align with one of Dow’s two global citizenship commitment areas, “Innovating for Global Solutions” as it provides access to clean and safe water, as well as with Dow’s 2025 Sustainability Goals, “Engaging Employees for Impact.”
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company is driving innovations that extract value from material, polymer, chemical and biological science to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, clean energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's integrated, market-driven, industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 180 countries and in high-growth sectors such as packaging, electronics, water, coatings and agriculture. In 2015, Dow had annual sales of nearly $49 billion and employed approximately 49,500 people worldwide. The Company's more than 6,000 product families are manufactured at 179 sites in 35 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
About the United Way of Genesee County
Founded in 1922, United Way of Genesee County currently supports more than 43 programs with direct grants, helping more than 57,000 people in Genesee County. The agency’s investment model is based on Education, Health, Financial Stability and Basic Needs. In 2014, the total economic impact through direct and leveraged funds exceeded $11.6 million.
About Genesee County Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1990, Genesee County Habitat for Humanity (GCHFH) is one of 1500 United States affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International. GCHFH has built or renovated over 130 homes throughout Genesee County. Genesee County Habitat for Humanity is a Christian housing ministry, affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International, but controlled locally. It is made up of people who volunteer their time and work to provide decent, affordable homes for persons who could not otherwise afford to buy a home. Habitat is financed through donations of money and materials. Houses are sold at no profit, and no interest, typically over a 20 year period. www.geneseehabitat.org
