Honeywell Breaks Ground on New School in Jacmel, Haiti

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) broke ground today on a public school, Ecole Nationale Jacob Martin Henriquez in Jacmel, Haiti.  In attendance were Tom Buckmaster, President of Honeywell Hometown Solutions, Richard Walden, President and CEO of Operation USA, Jacmel Mayor Edwin Zenny and Parliament Senator Joseph Lambert.  Construction of the school, which will serve approximately 600 local students in grades K through seven, is scheduled to be completed by January 2011.

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"Six months ago, Honeywell committed to contributing $1 million in aid to the region, including a 100 percent match of employee donations, to fund rebuilding projects in Haiti and we are on target with that promise," said Tom Buckmaster, President of Honeywell Hometown Solutions, Honeywell's Corporate Citizenship initiative.  "With the dedicated assistance of Mayor Edwin Zenny along with Operation USA, we're confident that today's ground breaking will help support education and overall community resources.  Honeywell has also made business jets available to relief agency Operation USA for airlift support to deliver medical supplies and transport medical staff.  We are dedicated to helping Haiti rebuild."

Honeywell's investment in the rebuilding project is two-fold.  The company is supporting the use of both contemporary and sustainable building methods for the school that can withstand future earthquakes.   In addition, workshops will be held for local builders to encourage their direct involvement in the construction and the longer-term rebuilding efforts in the region.  These workshops will focus on education related to modern building standards and regulations, and environmentally-conscious construction options that can save the region both money and natural resources over time.

Construction of the new school will also help establish a sense of community and normalcy to the region.  A new computer lab will be an integral part of the new site as well as a sustainable community garden and regulation-sized athletic field that will host community sports activities.  

"Partners such as Honeywell are invaluable in getting meaningful relief work done," said Richard Walden, President and CEO, Operation USA.  "Beyond financial assistance, we are thrilled to have a partner that is involved in every aspect of this rebuilding effort. Honeywell brings an unyielding commitment that ultimately will improve the Jacmel community immeasurably."

In addition to building the school, a scholarship fund has been developed in partnership between Honeywell and Operation USA to help support expenses the students may incur during the school year, including mandatory school uniforms, books and supplies.  

About Honeywell

Honeywell International (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

About Operation USA

Operation USA is an international relief agency that helps communities at home and abroad overcome the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid. Since 1979, the Los Angeles-based Operation USA has worked in 99 countries, delivering over $350 million for relief and development projects. Operation USA is a co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize as part of "The International Campaign to Ban Landmines"; was named as one of Worth Magazine's "100 Best Charities in America"; and, in addition to their Four Star rating, was recently named the "#1 Exclusively Privately Funded Charity" by watchdog group Charity Navigator. Learn more and make secure donations at www.opusa.org.

SOURCE Honeywell