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Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Nice-Pak Reaches Donation Milestone of $7 Million in Products To Support Communities in Need
Partnership with Good360 ensures wipes are quickly deployed for disaster recovery 'Our work with Good360 has reached an important milestone, and our long-term partnership is a reminder of the critical role wipes play in disaster response.'— Deb Fillis Ryba PEARL RIVER, NY, UNITED STATES, June 3, 2025 / / -- Nice-Pak, a leading provider of wet-wipe solutions for retailers and brand owners, today announced it has reached an important milestone—over $7 million worth of personal care and surface wet wipes donated to nonprofits, including disaster relief and recovery efforts. This was achieved through its ongoing partnership with Good360, a global leader in product philanthropy and purposeful giving. Celebrating Eight Years of Impact with Good360 'Wipes are one of the top-requested items from our nonprofit partners because they help alleviate hygiene insecurity and the health risks that come after a natural disaster,' said Morgan Loomis, Vice President, Disaster Response and Recovery, Good360. 'Nice-Pak has been instrumental in providing convenient and portable hygiene to so many who have been affected by fires, hurricanes and other disasters over the past eight years of our partnership.' According to Good360, the donated wipes—valued at $7 million in fair-market terms—have positively impacted more than a million lives. Since the partnership began, Nice-Pak's products have been distributed to over 700 nonprofits and have supported recovery efforts across over 30 different disaster sites, including the Southern California wildfires and Hurricane Helene flooding in the Southeast, as well as regions affected by conflict, such as Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Wet wipes play an essential role in recovery, providing cleaning, disinfecting and hand hygiene when clean water is scarce. 'Our work with Good360 has reached an important milestone, and our long-term partnership is a reminder of the critical role wipes play in disaster response,' said Deb Fillis Ryba, Global Director of Environmental and Social Impact at Nice-Pak. 'Good360 is the ideal partner to help get our products quickly into the hands of those who need them most, and we are honored to support their mission.' In 2021, Nice-Pak became a Resilient-Response partner with Good 360 to focus on proactive donations so that relief organizations can be prepared before disaster strikes. Nice-Pak donations are based on a quarterly needs assessment, which enables Good360 to pre-position the product with its extensive network of nonprofits. With donations already on site at regional distribution hubs, Nice-Pak wipes are quickly deployed to areas of need. Nice-Pak began its donation efforts in 2017 with shipments supporting recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Since then, Good360 has distributed Nice-Pak wipes to more than 700 nonprofit organizations across the U.S. and around the world—delivering the right products to the right people at the right time. About Nice-Pak Headquartered in Pearl River, NY, Nice-Pak is the go-to solutions partner for surface and skin hygiene for both private label and brand owners, providing expertise in sourcing, formulation, consumer marketing and insights. Over the years, the company introduced numerous innovations in wet-wipe products for consumer, healthcare, foodservice and commercial markets. About Good360 Good360 closes the need-gap by partnering with socially responsible companies to source essential donated goods and distribute them through a network of more than 100,000 vetted nonprofits. In doing so, Good360 supports communities in crisis, empowers nonprofit partners and reduces landfill waste. To date, Good360 has distributed more than $21 billion in donated goods, thanks to generous donors like Nice-Pak. Good360 is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at Diana Hatton Nice-Pak Products, Inc. [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
24-05-2025
- Climate
What keeps the safety director of the most vulnerable spot in US up at night before hurricane season
ORLANDO, Fla. -- No place is more vulnerable to hurricanes in the 50 U.S. states than the Florida Keys. The chain of islands celebrated by singer Jimmy Buffett in his odes to tropical escapism is surrounded by water, jutting out 120 miles southwesterly from Florida's mainland to Key West with the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean on either side. The archipelago historically has been known for its quirky and libertarian inhabitants who revel in the islands' hedonistic, artistic and outdoorsy lifestyle. In recent years, it also has become a haven for the wealthy. Overseeing safety for the more than 80,000 inhabitants of the Conch Republic — the nickname for the islands after denizens declared a tongue-in-cheek secession from the United States in the early 1980s — is Shannon Weiner, director of emergency management for Monroe County, Florida. The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1, and the county has some new weapons this season, including a brand-new emergency operations center and a new seawater desalination water treatment plant. The county also relies on surveillance flights from hurricane-hunting aircraft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for information about how to prepare. But, the potential for a catastrophic storm like Hurricane Irma in 2017 is always at the back of residents' minds. The Category 4 storm made landfall in the Florida Keys with winds up to 132 mph (209.2 kph), destroying around 1,180 homes and seriously damaging another 3,000. Weiner recently talked to the Associated Press about the upcoming hurricane season. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. ___ Weiner: Our entire island chain is surrounded by water. We have more water than we do land mass. Being uniquely situated between the two large bodies of water makes us very vulnerable. We see storms early, sometimes in their formation — storms that come across the Atlantic and then storms that develop in the south, in the Caribbean Sea. We tend to be in their path, and so we get a lot of storm practice here in Monroe County. Weiner: The weather service is a good partner, and the field offices, from what they were telling us and what they're hearing here, everyone is secure. They are not expecting or anticipating any cuts to the (Florida Keys) field offices. So, of course, going into hurricane season, we're really happy to hear that. Weiner: The Keys had not had a storm of that magnitude or size since the early 20th century. People tend to get complacent. It's human nature, right? They're not as worried. They're not as prepared. We were very fortunate with Irma in that we had plenty of days' notice to evacuate. But when we came home and saw the devastation, it was an eye-opener. Being an island chain, we had unique challenges bringing logistics in to help us recover. Weiner: Usually, they tend to heed that advice. We are constantly reminding people to be prepared and how important it is in our county to evacuate because the Florida Keys, the entirety of the island chain, is a storm surge zone. People here tend to be pretty savvy when it comes to storms, and throughout the entire Keys, the bigger concern is storm surge rather than wind. We say, 'Hide from the wind and run from the water.' Weiner: The city of Key West is an incredibly resilient community. There's a lot of history there. But there is also a lot of older architecture there. There's a lot of wooden homes, and for them to receive a storm, a direct impact of a major magnitude, that would be devastating for them. That is what keeps me up at night – a Category 4 or 5 storm hitting Key West. Weiner: Because it's beautiful here. It really is an island paradise. Being surrounded by a national marine sanctuary is amazing. I think everyone that lives here, we all live here for that reason. Because we appreciate the environment and the marine life and love the water. And so it's worth it. You make sure that you're prepared, and you have a plan if you need to go. And you go somewhere safe, and you come back, and you just put it back together.
Hamilton Spectator
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
What keeps the safety director of the most vulnerable spot in US up at night before hurricane season
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — No place is more vulnerable to hurricanes in the 50 U.S. states than the Florida Keys. The chain of islands celebrated by singer Jimmy Buffett in his odes to tropical escapism is surrounded by water, jutting out 120 miles southwesterly from Florida's mainland to Key West with the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean on either side. The archipelago historically has been known for its quirky and libertarian inhabitants who revel in the islands' hedonistic, artistic and outdoorsy lifestyle. In recent years, it also has become a haven for the wealthy. Overseeing safety for the more than 80,000 inhabitants of the Conch Republic — the nickname for the islands after denizens declared a tongue-in-cheek secession from the United States in the early 1980s — is Shannon Weiner, director of emergency management for Monroe County, Florida. The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1, and the county has some new weapons this season, including a brand-new emergency operations center and a new seawater desalination water treatment plant. The county also relies on surveillance flights from hurricane-hunting aircraft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for information about how to prepare. But, the potential for a catastrophic storm like Hurricane Irma in 2017 is always at the back of residents' minds. The Category 4 storm made landfall in the Florida Keys with winds up to 132 mph (209.2 kph), destroying around 1,180 homes and seriously damaging another 3,000. Weiner recently talked to the Associated Press about the upcoming hurricane season. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. ___ AP: Why is Monroe County perhaps the most vulnerable place in the 50 U.S. states for hurricanes? Weiner: Our entire island chain is surrounded by water. We have more water than we do land mass. Being uniquely situated between the two large bodies of water makes us very vulnerable. We see storms early, sometimes in their formation — storms that come across the Atlantic and then storms that develop in the south, in the Caribbean Sea. We tend to be in their path, and so we get a lot of storm practice here in Monroe County. AP: Given your dependence on the National Weather Service and NOAA for hurricane predictions, how concerned are you about recent job cuts and budget cuts to the federal government? Weiner: The weather service is a good partner, and the field offices, from what they were telling us and what they're hearing here, everyone is secure. They are not expecting or anticipating any cuts to the (Florida Keys) field offices. So, of course, going into hurricane season, we're really happy to hear that. AP: Can we talk about Hurricane Irma? The Keys have always been vulnerable, but Irma was a shock to the system, right? Weiner: The Keys had not had a storm of that magnitude or size since the early 20th century. People tend to get complacent. It's human nature, right? They're not as worried. They're not as prepared. We were very fortunate with Irma in that we had plenty of days' notice to evacuate. But when we came home and saw the devastation, it was an eye-opener. Being an island chain, we had unique challenges bringing logistics in to help us recover. AP: Do residents typically evacuate when they are asked to? Weiner: Usually, they tend to heed that advice. We are constantly reminding people to be prepared and how important it is in our county to evacuate because the Florida Keys, the entirety of the island chain, is a storm surge zone. People here tend to be pretty savvy when it comes to storms, and throughout the entire Keys, the bigger concern is storm surge rather than wind. We say, 'Hide from the wind and run from the water.' AP: We are close to the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. What is keeping you up at night? Weiner: The city of Key West is an incredibly resilient community. There's a lot of history there. But there is also a lot of older architecture there. There's a lot of wooden homes, and for them to receive a storm, a direct impact of a major magnitude, that would be devastating for them. That is what keeps me up at night – a Category 4 or 5 storm hitting Key West. AP: Given the Keys' vulnerability, why do you think people choose to stay and live there? Weiner: Because it's beautiful here. It really is an island paradise. Being surrounded by a national marine sanctuary is amazing. I think everyone that lives here, we all live here for that reason. Because we appreciate the environment and the marine life and love the water. And so it's worth it. You make sure that you're prepared, and you have a plan if you need to go. And you go somewhere safe, and you come back, and you just put it back together. ___ Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform Bluesky: @ .
Toronto Star
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Toronto Star
What keeps the safety director of the most vulnerable spot in US up at night before hurricane season
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — No place is more vulnerable to hurricanes in the 50 U.S. states than the Florida Keys. The chain of islands celebrated by singer Jimmy Buffett in his odes to tropical escapism is surrounded by water, jutting out 120 miles southwesterly from Florida's mainland to Key West with the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean on either side. The archipelago historically has been known for its quirky and libertarian inhabitants who revel in the islands' hedonistic, artistic and outdoorsy lifestyle. In recent years, it also has become a haven for the wealthy. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Overseeing safety for the more than 80,000 inhabitants of the Conch Republic — the nickname for the islands after denizens declared a tongue-in-cheek secession from the United States in the early 1980s — is Shannon Weiner, director of emergency management for Monroe County, Florida. The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1, and the county has some new weapons this season, including a brand-new emergency operations center and a new seawater desalination water treatment plant. The county also relies on surveillance flights from hurricane-hunting aircraft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for information about how to prepare. But, the potential for a catastrophic storm like Hurricane Irma in 2017 is always at the back of residents' minds. The Category 4 storm made landfall in the Florida Keys with winds up to 132 mph (209.2 kph), destroying around 1,180 homes and seriously damaging another 3,000. Weiner recently talked to the Associated Press about the upcoming hurricane season. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. ___ AP: Why is Monroe County perhaps the most vulnerable place in the 50 U.S. states for hurricanes? Weiner: Our entire island chain is surrounded by water. We have more water than we do land mass. Being uniquely situated between the two large bodies of water makes us very vulnerable. We see storms early, sometimes in their formation — storms that come across the Atlantic and then storms that develop in the south, in the Caribbean Sea. We tend to be in their path, and so we get a lot of storm practice here in Monroe County. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AP: Given your dependence on the National Weather Service and NOAA for hurricane predictions, how concerned are you about recent job cuts and budget cuts to the federal government? Weiner: The weather service is a good partner, and the field offices, from what they were telling us and what they're hearing here, everyone is secure. They are not expecting or anticipating any cuts to the (Florida Keys) field offices. So, of course, going into hurricane season, we're really happy to hear that. AP: Can we talk about Hurricane Irma? The Keys have always been vulnerable, but Irma was a shock to the system, right? Weiner: The Keys had not had a storm of that magnitude or size since the early 20th century. People tend to get complacent. It's human nature, right? They're not as worried. They're not as prepared. We were very fortunate with Irma in that we had plenty of days' notice to evacuate. But when we came home and saw the devastation, it was an eye-opener. Being an island chain, we had unique challenges bringing logistics in to help us recover. AP: Do residents typically evacuate when they are asked to? Weiner: Usually, they tend to heed that advice. We are constantly reminding people to be prepared and how important it is in our county to evacuate because the Florida Keys, the entirety of the island chain, is a storm surge zone. People here tend to be pretty savvy when it comes to storms, and throughout the entire Keys, the bigger concern is storm surge rather than wind. We say, 'Hide from the wind and run from the water.' AP: We are close to the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. What is keeping you up at night? ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Weiner: The city of Key West is an incredibly resilient community. There's a lot of history there. But there is also a lot of older architecture there. There's a lot of wooden homes, and for them to receive a storm, a direct impact of a major magnitude, that would be devastating for them. That is what keeps me up at night – a Category 4 or 5 storm hitting Key West. AP: Given the Keys' vulnerability, why do you think people choose to stay and live there? Weiner: Because it's beautiful here. It really is an island paradise. Being surrounded by a national marine sanctuary is amazing. I think everyone that lives here, we all live here for that reason. Because we appreciate the environment and the marine life and love the water. And so it's worth it. You make sure that you're prepared, and you have a plan if you need to go. And you go somewhere safe, and you come back, and you just put it back together. ___ Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform Bluesky: @
Winnipeg Free Press
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
What keeps the safety director of the most vulnerable spot in US up at night before hurricane season
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — No place is more vulnerable to hurricanes in the 50 U.S. states than the Florida Keys. The chain of islands celebrated by singer Jimmy Buffett in his odes to tropical escapism is surrounded by water, jutting out 120 miles southwesterly from Florida's mainland to Key West with the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean on either side. The archipelago historically has been known for its quirky and libertarian inhabitants who revel in the islands' hedonistic, artistic and outdoorsy lifestyle. In recent years, it also has become a haven for the wealthy. Overseeing safety for the more than 80,000 inhabitants of the Conch Republic — the nickname for the islands after denizens declared a tongue-in-cheek secession from the United States in the early 1980s — is Shannon Weiner, director of emergency management for Monroe County, Florida. The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1, and the county has some new weapons this season, including a brand-new emergency operations center and a new seawater desalination water treatment plant. The county also relies on surveillance flights from hurricane-hunting aircraft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for information about how to prepare. But, the potential for a catastrophic storm like Hurricane Irma in 2017 is always at the back of residents' minds. The Category 4 storm made landfall in the Florida Keys with winds up to 132 mph (209.2 kph), destroying around 1,180 homes and seriously damaging another 3,000. Weiner recently talked to the Associated Press about the upcoming hurricane season. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. ___ AP: Why is Monroe County perhaps the most vulnerable place in the 50 U.S. states for hurricanes? Weiner: Our entire island chain is surrounded by water. We have more water than we do land mass. Being uniquely situated between the two large bodies of water makes us very vulnerable. We see storms early, sometimes in their formation — storms that come across the Atlantic and then storms that develop in the south, in the Caribbean Sea. We tend to be in their path, and so we get a lot of storm practice here in Monroe County. AP: Given your dependence on the National Weather Service and NOAA for hurricane predictions, how concerned are you about recent job cuts and budget cuts to the federal government? Weiner: The weather service is a good partner, and the field offices, from what they were telling us and what they're hearing here, everyone is secure. They are not expecting or anticipating any cuts to the (Florida Keys) field offices. So, of course, going into hurricane season, we're really happy to hear that. AP: Can we talk about Hurricane Irma? The Keys have always been vulnerable, but Irma was a shock to the system, right? Weiner: The Keys had not had a storm of that magnitude or size since the early 20th century. People tend to get complacent. It's human nature, right? They're not as worried. They're not as prepared. We were very fortunate with Irma in that we had plenty of days' notice to evacuate. But when we came home and saw the devastation, it was an eye-opener. Being an island chain, we had unique challenges bringing logistics in to help us recover. AP: Do residents typically evacuate when they are asked to? Weiner: Usually, they tend to heed that advice. We are constantly reminding people to be prepared and how important it is in our county to evacuate because the Florida Keys, the entirety of the island chain, is a storm surge zone. People here tend to be pretty savvy when it comes to storms, and throughout the entire Keys, the bigger concern is storm surge rather than wind. We say, 'Hide from the wind and run from the water.' AP: We are close to the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. What is keeping you up at night? Wednesdays A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future. Weiner: The city of Key West is an incredibly resilient community. There's a lot of history there. But there is also a lot of older architecture there. There's a lot of wooden homes, and for them to receive a storm, a direct impact of a major magnitude, that would be devastating for them. That is what keeps me up at night – a Category 4 or 5 storm hitting Key West. AP: Given the Keys' vulnerability, why do you think people choose to stay and live there? Weiner: Because it's beautiful here. It really is an island paradise. Being surrounded by a national marine sanctuary is amazing. I think everyone that lives here, we all live here for that reason. Because we appreciate the environment and the marine life and love the water. And so it's worth it. You make sure that you're prepared, and you have a plan if you need to go. And you go somewhere safe, and you come back, and you just put it back together. ___ Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform Bluesky: @
