Well-known agricultural businessman Frank Flaman donated $500,000 to earthquake relief efforts in Haiti Jan. 15, hoping it would spur others to give what they can.
The founder of the Flaman Group of Companies gave $250,000 to the Salvation Army and the same amount to Oxfam, saying he couldn’t sit by and do nothing.
“I’m the kind of guy, I just can’t look the other way,” he said from Edmonton.
An earthquake Jan. 12 devastated Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital. Some have estimated as many as 100,000 died as a result and that half of the city’s buildings were damaged or destroyed. About three million people live in the region.
Flaman said all the relief organizations are doing good work. He chose the Salvation Army and Oxfam for their work in providing water, food, emergency shelter and clothing.
While he didn’t issue a particular challenge to other businesses, Flaman noted there are larger, richer companies that should follow suit.
