Planet Organic Community Raises Thousands for Haiti

EDMONTON – It didn’t take much—a toonie here and five dollars there. But in less than four weeks, Planet Organic customers and staff raised $7,240 for Haiti, doubled to $14,480 by a matching federal donation.

For one Planet employee, the tragedy really hit home – and the response from the Planet community was all the more meaningful.

“My kids lost their grandparents on their father’s side, as well as two uncles and an aunt,” says Huguette Barbot, customer service manager at Planet Organic’s Victoria store. “I want to personally thank Planet for helping. It does make a difference, believe me. People from Haiti tell us that the kind of generosity we’ve shown is their only hope.”

All nine Planet Organic locations participated in the “Friends of the Planet” campaign launched in the immediate aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the impoverished nation on Jan. 12. Customers and staff were asked to contribute in two-dollar and five-dollar increments at check-out tills.

“I took the cheque to the Canadian Red Cross yesterday on behalf of our customers to meet the cut-off date that the government set for matching private funds,” reported a thrilled Scott Bladon, vice president of marketing with the company. “It’s a testament to the commitment of the Planet Organic community that we were able to mobilize and contribute so quickly.”

So far, Canadians have raised a total of $128 million to aid victims of the earthquake.