One word sums up the feeling at Clean the World as we celebrated the holidays: Grateful.
We are so grateful for the hotels, volunteers, corporate partners, and supporters that fuel our mission to save lives with soap. Thank you to everyone who was part of the global hygiene revolution in 2014. Twelve months ago, we never could have imagined what an amazing year it would be.
Here are a few of the highlights:
Las Vegas Sands Donation
Las Vegas Sands Corp. has a long history of supporting our mission. They took it to a new level in 2014 by donating $1 million – the largest corporate donation in Clean the World’s history. Their generous contribution made it possible for us to add a new soap recycling production line in our Las Vegas regional operations center. The new machinery can sanitize and recycle enough discarded soap to produce nearly 20,000 three-ounce bars of soap a day.
The Sands donation also sponsored 100,000 ONE Project hygiene kits for distribution through the American Red Cross to local and national disaster victims. The kits were assembled by 2,000 volunteers during a mass community effort at the Venetian Ballroom.
Clean the World Asia
In May, Clean the World rolled out the red carpet at a new recycling operations center in Hong Kong. This new, expanded facility is outfitted with a complete production line to turn discarded hotel soap into clean new bars. Soap from hotel partners in Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore flows into the Hong Kong facility. The $1 million donation from Las Vegas Sands also helped fund this new production line and our expanded footprint in Asia.
First Florida Benefit Corporation
In July, Clean the World created the first benefit corporation under Florida’s new benefit corporation law. The law allows for a new type of company that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.
Bi-Partisan Event on Capitol Hill
In September, we proved there are no political boundaries when it comes to the battle against hygiene-related illnesses. Legislators from both sides of the aisle joined Clean the World in the U.S. Capitol to promote hand washing and proper hygiene leading up to Global Handwashing Day on Oct. 15. To kick off the event in the Capitol’s historic Lyndon Baines Johnson Room, Clean the World founder Shawn Seipler was joined by the senators from Nevada, Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid and GOP Sen. Dean Heller.
Company to Watch
In October, Clean the World was honored by GrowFL as one of the 2014 Florida Companies to Watch. The program celebrates growing second-stage companies headquartered in the Sunshine State. Companies to Watch was developed as a unique way to recognize and honor companies that demonstrate high performance with innovative strategies and processes, making them “worth watching.”
