Mohawk Paper Carries News About Safe Water

Industry leader in fine paper donates product to help the poor get safe water and sanitation.

Mohawk Paper, makers of fine paper and envelopes for four generations, has donated an entire year’s worth of paper and envelopes to Lifewater International, a non-profit working to help children and families get access to safe water and sanitation. The donation helps mobilize thousands to end the world’s water and sanitation crisis.

“We are obviously very grateful for Mohawk’s generous support,” says Lifewater CEO Justin Narducci, “but we are also very proud to be working alongside a company so committed to innovation and social responsibility. Their product is world-class, but so is their dedication to doing good.”

Lifewater works with designers Rule29, O’Neil Printing, and Mohawk Paper to produce moving, informative, and beautiful pieces that highlight the centrality of water to life as well as the undeniable dignity of those served by Lifewater’s ongoing work. Mohawk paper helps make the high-quality annual reports, newsletters, direct mail, and bound photography books worthy of the cause they serve. Employees of Rule29 and O’Neil Printing have also started Wheels4Water, which partnered with Lifewater to raise over $160,000 for safe water and sanitation in the past two years.

“Environmental commitment, social responsibility and corporate stewardship are woven into the fabric of Mohawk’s culture and business practices, so we are pleased to support Wheels4Water and Lifewater in their efforts to raise awareness of the need for clean, safe drinking water and improved sanitation to people in developing nations,” says Ted O’Connor, Senior Vice President of Sales at Mohawk.

Over 600 million people in the world do not have access to safe water, and over 2.4 billion lack adequate sanitation. Without these basic necessities, young children succumb to preventable water-borne diseases and do not have access to education. Families are stuck in a vicious cycle of poverty and disease. With water, sanitation, and good hygiene practices, children live longer, go to school, and stay healthy while their parents are able to engage in more productive labor. Entire communities escape extreme poverty.

Lifewater has been working since 1977 to help over 2.5 million people in over 40 countries access safe water and sanitation. Currently, Lifewater is serving the most remote and underserved communities in Africa and Asia.

Mohawk is a family-owned and operated business in Cohoes, NY, that remains a leader in fine paper and envelopes as well as its commitment to environmental and social responsibility. Mohawk was the first U.S. manufacturer of commercial printing papers to match 100% of its electricity with wind power renewable energy credits and the first U.S. premium paper mill to shift toward carbon neutral production.

“Mohawk paper is helping us mobilize thousands of people to get involved in ending the world’s water and sanitation crisis,” says Narducci, “and they’re using what they offer to be a catalyst for positive change.”

Lifewater International is a non-profit Christian water development organization dedicated to effectively serving vulnerable children and families by partnering with underserved communities to overcome water poverty. With experience in more than 40 countries since 1977, Lifewater serves all people, focusing on contextually appropriate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) development. For more information, contact Christine Zurbach (czurbach@lifewater.org) or visit www.lifewater.org. Lifewater International is based in San Luis Obispo, CA

Mohawk is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated business based in Cohoes, New York, with global sales and operations located throughout North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.mohawkconnects.com.