American Standard Donation Supports Plumbers Without Borders

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (May 8, 2014) – American Standard Brands is supporting the philanthropic work of Plumbers Without Borders (PWB) with a $60,000 donation that supports the group's mission to connect volunteer plumbers with organizations that are working to increase access to safe water and sanitation worldwide.

"Plumbers Without Borders is a grassroots effort, born from the desire to help people in dire need," said Fred Schilling, spokesperson for the group. "We know we can make a difference to alleviate human suffering and disease caused by the lack of safe plumbing and hygienic sanitation."

The donation will be used to help PWB develop their database of plumbers and mechanical tradespeople around the world who want to volunteer their services to improve hygiene, access to clean water, and help save lives. Volunteers who are registered in this databank can then be connected with organizations seeking their assistance. PWB’s ultimate goal is to serve as a complete plumbing and sanitation information hub for both volunteers and humanitarian organizations 

A current project of Plumbers Without Borders involves working with Seattle Anesthesia Outreach (SAO) to implement plumbing infrasture improvements in medical facilities located in Ethiopia. The PWB volunteers helped to outfit a portable dialysis center for the Zewditu Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where needless numbers of people were dying due to lack of dialysis treatment. PWB provided the installation labor for the portable unit built here in the U.S. After the portable clinic was shipped to Ethiopia, PWB volunteers handled the on-site implementation work to get this life-saving equipment up and running. The volunteer plumbers have also done extensive work in Haiti, following the devastating earthquake that hit that nation.

Here in the United States, PWB’s skills are utilized, as well. The organization has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to assist with home building needs throughout the country. The group also works to maintain the plumbing systems on a volunteer basis in the Children’s Home Society of Florida, an organization that rescues abused children and works to break the cycle of child abuse. 

“We have always believed that plumbers play a crucial role in protecting health and helping to prevent disease,” said Jay Gould, president and CEO of American Standard Brands. “Plumbers Without Borders is doing so much to improve sanitation and quality of life around the world, and we are proud to help them expand their capabilities with this sponsorship.”

"It’s been very exciting to watch this organization grow and develop, borne from a desire to use our plumbing trade to save lives beyond our own communities,” said Schilling. “With this generous sponsorship from American Standard, we will be able to build a crucial resource that will allow us to help even more people all around the world.”

For more information on this announcement, visit www.americanstandard.com.

ABOUT AMERICAN STANDARD BRANDS

American Standard Brands make life healthier, safer and more beautiful at home, at work, in the community and throughout the world. Offering total project solutions for residential and commercial customers around the world with respected brands such as American Standard®, DXV™, Safety Tubs®, Crane Plumbing®, Eljer®, Fiat® and Decorative Panels International®. American Standard Brands is owned by Lixil Corporation (TSE Code 5938), a global building products company. Learn more at www.americanstandard.com, or follow us at twitter.com/AmStandard, https://www.facebook.com/AmericanStandardPlumbing.

ABOUT PLUMBERS WITHOUT BORDERS

Plumbers Without Borders is a grassroots effort, born from the desire to help people in dire need, where human suffering and disease is caused in part by a lack of safe plumbing and hygienic sanitation. Our vision includes building a global database/directory of volunteer Plumbing and Mechanical tradespeople, related professionals, sources for materials, education, and technology. This databank will function and serve as a tool/resource for other humanitarian organizations that are working towards this common goal in the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector. Volunteers registered in this databank will be connected with the non-profit organizations who are seeking their assistance. Plumbers Without Borders will serve as the information hub and resource registry for both volunteers and humanitarian organizations. www.plumberswithoutborders.org

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