Hunter Douglas announced that it has donated a total of $425,000 to two nonprofits – The New York Times Neediest Cases Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort and Team Rubicon – to help relieve the suffering and aid the recovery of those most in need following Hurricane Sandy.

Hunter Douglas made an initial donation of $100,000 and, in addition, matched donations from its employees and independent fabricators on a dollar for dollar basis.  In just over two weeks, the Company received $162,500 in contributions to its Hunter Douglas Hurricane Sandy Relief and Recovery Fund.

Hunter Douglas North America President and CEO Marv Hopkins presented the donations at the company’s Pearl River headquarters to Desiree Dancy, vice president of The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund, and Team Rubicon’s co-founders Jake Wood, president, and William McNulty, Vice President.

“I am so proud of my colleagues throughout the U.S. and Canada who participated in this drive to aid those whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath,” said Hopkins.  “Their compassion and generosity are exemplary and heartwarming."

“We’re pleased to present these gifts today to two highly efficient and effective organizations, The New York Times Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort and Team Rubicon,” continued Hopkins.

Managed by The New York Times Company, which absorbs all administrative costs, The New York Times Neediest Cases Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort is providing direct assistance through key area social service agencies to those people in the tri-state area most severely affected.

“We are grateful to Hunter Douglas for its impressive contribution to our important goal of providing ongoing relief to Hurricane Sandy victims,” said Desiree Dancy of The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund, which launched its 101^st annual campaign in November.

Founded in 2010 by Iraq veterans Jake Wood and William McNulty, Team Rubicon has a primary mission of providing disaster relief between the moment a disaster happens and the point at which conventional aid organizations respond, hence their slogan: “Bridge the Gap.”  It repurposes the ready-made organizational and operational skills of military veterans for disaster relief.

“Ninety-two percent of veterans returning from war say continued service is of importance to them,” advised Wood. “We have a desire to help and serve our communities. We mobilized 1,000 veteran volunteers in the tri-state area to assist in the Hurricane Sandy response and recovery process, our largest effort to date, and for which we very much appreciate the generous support of everyone in the Hunter Douglas organization.”