HOLLYWOOD – Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming are doing their part in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

They donated 350,000 bars of soap to Clean the World Foundation, a global health organization focused on improving the quality of life in vulnerable populations through resources, education and programs related to hygiene, sanitation and water.

“Soap is not federally subsidized, so individuals and families, especially living in transitional housing or experiencing homelessness, rarely have access to soap and other hygiene supplies to keep them safe,” Sam Stephens, executive director of Clean the World Foundation, said in a press release. “Handwashing with soap is the most effective way to fight COVID-19, so it is crucial that we get supplies out to relief organizations as quickly as possible. We are incredibly thankful to Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming for their donation, which allows us to meet demands quickly.” 

Clean the World Foundation is distributing more than 1.5 million bars of soap across North America in response to COVID-19. Shipments have been sent to Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Washington state, Wisconsin and Mexico. The foundation said it plans to send an additional three million bars of soap in the next 90 days to areas hardest hit by the pandemic around the world. 

“We are incredibly grateful to be able to help this worthy cause especially right now,” said Tracy Bradford, executive vice-president of administration for HRI and Seminole Gaming. “Save the Planet is one of our founding core beliefs since 1971. We have a significant investment behind the meaning of this principle.”

HRI and Seminole Gaming’s efforts received positive feedback on Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood’s Facebook page. Comments included “Great job, thank you” and “You guys always do something good for the people.”

HRI and Seminole Gaming currently participate in Clean the World’s hospitality recycling program. Soap and bathroom amenities left behind by hotel guests are shipped to a Clean the World facility. The soap goes through a process – including being grounded, sanitized, melted and reprocessed – to become a new bar of soap.  The plastic bathroom bottles are sent to recycling or an energy-from-waste facility. Since 2018, HRI and Seminole Gaming have diverted a combined 15,000 pounds of waste from landfills and distributed almost 33,000 bars of soap to those in need. 

Clean the World was founded in Orlando in 2009. According to its website, the organization has distributed more than 50 million bars of soap, hygiene kits and other supplies throughout its history.  

Clean the World is selling T-shirts with “Wash Your Hands, Bro.” on the front. The sale of each shirt provides 10 bars of soap to people in need.  More information is here.