WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., February 10, 2009 — ITT Corporation announced today that 300 of its top global leaders will roll up their sleeves to volunteer in New Orleans. On February 11, 2010, ITT employees will partner with two local organizations — HandsOn New Orleans and Bayou Rebirth — to assist in the city's ongoing recovery efforts after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina through school revitalization and wetland restoration projects.
"Long-term disaster recovery and ensuring the availability of clean, fresh water are the centerpiece of ITT's corporate citizenship efforts worldwide," said Steve Loranger, chairman, president and chief executive officer, ITT. "Our service in these areas for the vibrant city of New Orleans is a great example of the difference we can make for communities in need."
In order to maximize their efforts, the ITT employees will work with volunteer organizations on two local projects. The first project involves collaboration with HandsOn New Orleans, a non-profit that provides volunteer opportunities to meet the most critical needs of New Orleans' schools and neighborhoods. ITT employees will work alongside students to help revitalize Thurgood Marshall Early College High School, a local school damaged during Hurricane Katrina, which serves 390 primarily disadvantaged students. Volunteer activities will include painting the school's hallways and building a new outdoor area.
"We are grateful for corporate volunteers like ITT who come together to engage in community service projects that help provide our city with vital recovery support," said Cathy Puett, chief executive officer, HandsOn New Orleans.
A second team from ITT will work with Bayou Rebirth, a non-profit that focuses on environmental restoration through wetlands plantings and, through those projects, educating visitors about the importance of the wetlands of Louisiana and how their rapid deterioration could impact our national economy.
"We want people to see these beautiful marshes and swamps before they disappear and educate them about the plans to use the river to counteract the forces that are causing the wetlands to turn to open water," said Colleen Morgan, founder and director, Bayou Rebirth. "Volunteers are helping us restore these fragile ecosystems by coming out to plant and by going back home and talking about it so that more people become aware of the magnitude of the problem."
The team will work three local sites — Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bonnet Carré Spillway and St. Bernard Parish — to plant approximately 5,000 bottomland hardwood trees and 4,000 marsh grasses to restore one acre of wetland. These ecosystems play a vital role as a buffer for hurricane storm surges and were devastated by the storms of 2005.
A sandwich lunch for each of ITT's 300 volunteers will be donated by the Marriott New Orleans. Marriott Chef Mark Quitney said "my culinary team and I enthusiastically support ITT's pledge to help restore this community."
This volunteer initiative builds upon ITT's long history of community service. Through ITT's corporate citizenship program, ITT Watermark, ITT employees worldwide participate in both local and global volunteer activities year round. In partnership with Water For People, ITT volunteers travel to schools in water-stressed regions of the developing world to conduct water mapping and monitoring. Additionally, ITT employees support Mercy Corps through participation in global emergency response training sessions so they can be deployed as equipment experts during emergencies.
About ITT Corporation
ITT Corporation is a high-technology engineering and manufacturing company operating on all seven continents in three vital markets: water and fluids management, global defense and security, and motion and flow control. With a heritage of innovation, ITT partners with its customers to deliver extraordinary solutions that create more livable environments, provide protection and safety and connect our world. Headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., the company generated 2009 revenue of $10.9 billion. www.itt.com
About HandsOn New Orleans
HandsOn New Orleans, a HandsOn Network affiliate, inspires and motivates people to meet critical community needs by encouraging active citizenship through meaningful service. Since 2006, HandsOn New Orleans has provided local and visiting volunteers with the tools, housing and training necessary to strengthen and rebuild the New Orleans community. For more information, visit www.handsonneworleans.org.
About Bayou Rebirth
Bayou Rebirth is a non-profit that preserves and restores wetland ecosystems in Southeast Louisiana by teaching youth and volunteers from Louisiana and across the nation about coastal wetlands through hands-on restoration and stewardship projects. Founded in 2007, Bayou Rebirth is committed to broadening the national understanding of the importance of Louisiana's wetlands and making wetlands restoration a national priority. For more information, visit www.bayourebirth.org.
Press Contact:
Jenny Schiavone
tel +1 914 641 2160
jennifer.schiavone@itt.com