Jim Ansaras and his wife Karen knew it was their duty to assist Haitian victims after the devastating earthquake. For several years, Jim Ansaras built one of the country's largest construction companies, Shawmut Design and Construction until he decided to sell the company in 2006 to his employees. Jim knew he wanted to do more than simply manage money; he wanted to change the world. Recently, the couple donated $1 million of their personal funds to aid in relief efforts in Haiti and Jim rushed down to Port-au-Prince four days after the quake to immediately set up working generators in hospitals. Karen created a Haiti relief and development fund through the Boston Foundation, and stayed behind in Boston to encourage donors to match their gift, and get the local community involved with recovery efforts.
This isn't the first time the Ansaras' have been avid philanthropists. They first got a look at third-world poverty when they adopted three Ecuadorian girls and created the Ansaras Family Fund in Boston. Jim Ansaras is also building a 180-bed hospital in Mirabalais Haiti with Dr. David Walton, a physician at Bringham and Woman's Hospital. Ansaras says, "I'm a little different from other people who have sold businesses and made some money...I wanted to do something that had an impact in the world." Ultimately, Jim and Karen hope to reach a $2 million goal through their Haiti recovery and rebuilding fund. See the entire story at http://http//www.boston.com/news/world/latinamerica/articles/2010/02/02/couples_two_front_battle_aids_haiti/?page=2..
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