NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) wanted to make a difference during the time spent in New Orleans for NGK’s first National Sales Meeting in three years.

The meeting started with an icebreaker and team event to kick things off, where the associates prepared hygiene kits for Covenant House, a homeless shelter.

“Hygiene products are one of our greatest needs,” said Haley Khoury, development & communications associate, Covenant House New Orleans. “Every year, over 800 youth walk through our doors in need of a place to stay and other necessities of life – including basic hygiene items. Being able to meet our youths’ immediate needs with these kits makes a big difference for us, especially when we can direct funds that would have been used for these items elsewhere. Additionally, our outreach team can give the items to folks who are actively living on the streets but are either unable or not yet wanting to come to Covenant House. In this way, the kits help us do the most basic parts of our work with people facing homelessness.”

The kits assembled contain items that many of us take for granted. They comprise recycled soap and bottled amenities discarded by the hospitality industry and repurposed through the Clean the World Foundation. The kits symbolize a fresh start and sustainability.

Through the Clean the World Foundation:

•       63 million soap bars have been distributed

•       6 million hygiene kits have been assembled

•       23 million pounds of waste have been diverted from landfills

With the help of NGK Spark Plugs team members, associates assembled 1,350 kits, each with a handwritten, inspirational note.

“Personally, I’ve never seen a team so enthusiastic putting together 1,350 kits in less than an hour,” said Carol Padgett of Accent Orleans, who helped organize the effort. “The teamwork and enthusiasm were inspirational. NGK Spark Plugs made a difference to New Orlean’s homeless and those who suffered much loss due to Hurricane Ida.”