Glatfelter announced that it will provide $50,000 to rebuild an elementary school in Tacloban, Philippines, one of the regions most devastated by Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). 

 

Working in collaboration with the leaders of the Palanog Elementary School, Glatfelter’s support will provide safe facilities for the education of 800 local Filipino students. The elementary school buildings were partially or fully destroyed by the Typhoon and have not yet been repaired. The school is currently operating in a provisional manner, and not all of the children have returned. 

 

Glatfelter operates a facility in Lanao del Norte, Philippines, which was spared from the devastation reaped by the Super Typhoon, and remained fully operational during the natural disaster. Local Glatfelter employees were moved to support their countrymen and donated their annual holiday party budget to a fund to rebuild a school impacted by the storm. Their generosity motivated the global community of Glatfelter employees, customers and suppliers to donate $25,000 USD towards the fund, which Glatfelter then matched to provide a total of $50,000 to the effort. 

 

“Rebuilding this school will positively impact the long-term sustainability and vitality of Tacloban for years to come,” says Martin Rapp, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Glatfelter’s Composite Fibers Business Unit. “At Glatfelter, supporting the communities in which we operate means contributing to the growth, health and quality of life for all. Giving back to the community is an integral part of our culture and our philosophy of social responsibility, made evident in the incredible response of Glatfelter PEOPLE. It's just one more way that we demonstrate to our customers and all stakeholders the true benefits of doing business with a world-class specialist company.” 

 

The construction project is scheduled to be complete by mid-year, in time for the coming school year.