Contact: Kate Nare Marketing Coordinator (858) 274-3718 Office (925) 872-1642 Cell kate@plantwithpurpose.

org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Plant With Purpose Raises a Record Breaking $380,236 to Benefit the Rural Poor at Annual Planting Hope Gala
SAN DIEGO October 8, 2011 Plant With Purpose, a San Diego-based non-profit working internationally to reverse poverty and deforestation among the rural poor, held its most successful gala to date on October 8th, raising a record breaking $380,236 to directly benefit the lives of the rural poor around the globe. The amount garnered far exceeds the previous record amount, $317,000, which was raised during the 2009 gala. The evening kicked off at Paradise Point Resort in Mission Bay with an exciting silent auction, followed by dinner, a live auction, inspiring speakers, a never-before-seen video highlighting Plant With Purposes expanding Village Savings and Loan program, and a Fund a Need auction. The night concluded with a celebratory performance by local Haitian band, Lounge a Dieu. All the proceeds from the gala will go toward empowering thousands of rural farmers worldwide to improve their lives and lands. With the amount raised, Plant With Purpose will be able to: Launch 20 new Village Savings and Loan groups to help the poor become selfsufficient, allowing them to start businesses and send their children to school. Provide 200 families with water purification systems in the Dominican Republic and Haiti to treat contaminated water. Plant 14,060 trees to reforest the land and create opportunities for the rural poor. Build 750 fuel-efficient stoves to improve the health of families and reduce deforestation. Provide curriculum to 4,200 churches to equip pastors and leaders with the resources needed to serve the spiritual and physical needs of their communities. Provide cassava, banana, and vegetable seeds to 1,500 farmers in Burundi to provide food and a source of income. About Plant With Purpose Plant With Purpose (www.plantwithpurpose.org) is an international, environmental organization that transforms lives in rural areas where poverty is caused by deforestation. For over 25 years, Plant With Purpose has provided lasting solutions to heal the relationship between people and their environment by planting trees, implementing sustainable agriculture programs, creating economic opportunity through micro-enterprise, and encouraging spiritual renewal.