Cathay Pacific will provide flights from its five US gateways (Chicago, Los Angeles, Newark, New York JFK, and San Francisco) for charity: water’s 2014 travel in regions of Southeast Asia – Cambodia, India, and Nepal – where clean water projects are most critical. The support – including flights for Water Program Officers and creative team members, enables charity: water to maintain its 100% model – the organization’s founding principle and promise to the public that 100% of donations go directly to the field to fund water projects.

“The 100% model is charity: water’s founding principle and we’re grateful for Cathay Pacific’s support in helping maintain this so donors can make a direct impact on the global water crisis. Specifically, our partnership with Cathay Pacific will enable our Water Program Officers to visit and work directly with local partner organizations that implement our water projects and will also provide support for our creative team to continue telling stories that connect our donors to their impact," said Scott Harrison, founder and CEO of charity: water. 

"Cathay Pacific and charity: water share a commitment to Southeast Asia. Social responsibility is at the core of the Cathay Pacific ethos, and working with charity: water allows us to give back to the most vulnerable communities in the Asian destinations we serve,” said Eric Odone, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Americas, Cathay Pacific. “With charity: water’s vibrant social media, digital and corporate social responsibility presence, we also consider this partnership a valuable platform to educate and inspire our customers and staff about a vital humanitarian cause.”

Robecta Ma, Digital and Ecommerce Manager, Cathay Pacific, and PuiChi Wong, Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility, EMC, will speak on a panel today at 3:15 - 4:00: “From the Air to the Water: A Story of Effective Partnerships,” moderated by Paull Young, Director of Digital for charity: water. Visit http://www.socinnovation.com/ehome/79546/agenda/?& for further details.

About Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific Airways flies daily to Hong Kong and beyond, including over 22 destinations in Mainland China, from five cities in the USA and two in Canada: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York (JFK), Newark Liberty, San Francisco Vancouver and Toronto; and offers cargo flights to 15 cities across the Americas.

About charity: water
charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of public donations directly fund sustainable water solutions in areas of greatest need. Right now, almost a billion people on the planet don't have access to clean and safe drinking water. That's one in eight of us. Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies aren't strong enough to fight diarrhea, dysentery and other illnesses. Just $20 can give one person access to a clean water project. Learn more at www.charitywater.com.

About the Social Innovation Summit

The Social Innovation Summit 2014 will be held May 28-29, 2014, bringing together socially aware celebrities and business leaders such as Jessica Alba, New York Giant Victor Cruz, DonorsChoose founder and CEO Charles Best, 10-year-old socialpreneur Vivienne Harr and many others.

The Social Innovation Summit is a twice-annual event (the fall edition will take place in Silicon Valley) that represents a global convening of black swans and wayward thinkers. Those who are playing at the nexus of technology, investment, philanthropy, international development and business come together to investigate solutions and catalyze inspired partnerships that are disrupting history.

Media Contact:
Julie Jarratt, Communications Manager, Americas
415.848.2006
[email protected]