Business in Utah donating to victims

Utah companies that specialize in everything from scrapbooking to chemicals to diapers and dog food sales are opening their hearts and wallets to help victims of the Asian tsunami disaster.

Rarely, observers say, has so much suffering generated so much giving — businesses, governments and individuals worldwide continue to amass an enormous relief effort sum. The 11 affected countries, which suffered the deaths of an estimated 150,000 people in the Dec. 26 earthquake-caused catastrophes, could receive as much as $5 billion in donations, with millions coming from Beehive State donors.

Leading givers in Utah include the Salt Lake-based Huntsman companies, which pledged on Friday an initial $1 million to aid the victims. Springville-based Neways, a manufacturer of personal care and nutritional products, is coordinating with Globus Relief in sending $1.2 million in vitamins and personal care products to Asia. Stampin' Up!, a decorative rubber stamp company in Riverton, is also stepping up big-time, giving a quarter of a million dollars to assist the relief effort.

And the list of generosity goes on: Nu Skin, Zions First National Bank, Smith's Food & Drug Stores, the Utah Broadcasters Association, the Business Women's Forum and FatPipe Networks are just a sampling of local companies helping out.

"It just amazes me how people can find the resources when it's really necessary," said Marshall Welch, director of the University of Utah's Lowell Bennion Community Service Center. "I think Utahns in general tend to (donate a lot). It's a part of the culture to be giving and to be charitable."

That an estimated one-third of the victims were children especially broke Stampin' Up! CEO Shelly Gardner's heart and convinced her that this was a worthy cause. As a result, Stampin' Up! will give all of its donations to Save the Children, an international nonprofit organization that provides protection and care for kids. The company's 42,000-plus demonstrators have been challenged to raise an additional $250,000 in a sales promotion (for more information, see www.stampinup.com).

"The people of Utah have always had an exemplary spirit of giving," Gardner said. "I know this emergency will be no exception."

Peter Huntsman, chief executive of the Huntsman companies, said $500,000 of his organization's offering will be in cash and another $500,000 in material, supplies and in-kind contributions. That's not counting $60,000 that was pledged Thursday night at a fund-raising dinner for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. or from the family.