Eric Klein - Founder, CAN-DO

CAN-DO FOUNDER & CEO BIOGRAPHY

Eric Klein (born in Salem, MA, Dec. 1969) is the founder and CEO of CAN-DO (Compassion into Action Network-Direct Outcome Organization), VirtualVolunteer.tv and The CAN-DO Network.

His grassroots organizations provide immediate, frontline relief for those whose lives are impacted by disaster. Klein is passionate about providing immediate relief with "100% accountability and zero red tape." Through live streaming video, archived footage and photographs, his organization's websites enable people who make charitable donations to actually see how their money is being spent and track progress every step of the way.

In 2004, Klein was in a car accident that changed his life in an unexpected way. Instead of having surgery, he took his settlement money to Sri Lanka where politics and red tape hampered the tsunami relief efforts of large organizations. Klein spent four months living in Galle, Sri Lanka, where he led efforts to clear rubble, rebuild villages, restore wells and put small businesses back in business.Klein's fresh approach to disaster relief was commended by the people and local government of Galle, Sri Lanka, who worked hand-in-hand with Klein to rebuild their community.

There, he met Former U.S. President, Bill Clinton, from whom he received a written commendation. They continue to correspond about global relief.Within weeks of returning home from Sri Lanka, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the United States. There, Klein immediately provided grassroots relief backed by his own savings, staying true to his word of "putting his money where his mouth is."

Klein lived on the Gulf Coast for nearly a year providing aid to hurricane victims where he set up over 25 relief distribution centers, covering 8,000+ miles throughout Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.Klein's work on the Gulf Coast caught the attention of North Face CEO, James Fifield, who supplied Klein with clothing and equipment valued at more than $150K, which Klein distributed to hurricane victims.

Klein also arranged animal transports out of the region to reunite hundreds of misplaced pets with their companions. Klein continues to work on the Gulf Coast and his projects can be viewed on the CAN-DO website, <http://www.can-do.org/>.Most recently, Klein took his grassroots approach to Rawanda, Africa, where he continues to work with the local government to help refugees and rebuild schools. In 2008, Klein took a second trip to Rwanda where he helped to rebuild the Kagugu School, Library and Art Wing for the children of Kigali. His team also provided critical aid to nearly 3,500 people displaced by heavy flooding in the village of Bigogwe. Currently, Klein is working to rebuild the Rikuvu Soccer Stadium, the oldest in Rwanda. The stadium project was chosen not only out of the people's love for the sport, but also as a way to bring the community back together.

Many of Klein's projects have this higher purpose in mind. He also unified women and children from other villages to rebuild a playground in Sri Lanka, and brought rivaling men together to rebuild a community well for bathing and drinking.In 2008, Klein founded <http://virtualvolunteer.tv/>, the first interactive website that enables individuals, donors, corporations, and organizations to participate virtually in live humanitarian projects and critical disaster zones. Participants can view videos, and even see live streaming footage of how their donations are directly impacting the communities and individuals whose lives they have touched.

Klein's "get it done" attitude and simple approach to grassroots relief has gained recognition and continued support from politicians and civic leaders including: Former U.S. President, Bill Clinton; Mayor of Galle, Sri Lanka, M.I. Mohamed Ariff; Mississippi Governor, Haley Barbour, and First Lady, Marsha Barbour; Biloxi Mayor, A.J. Holloway; Rwandan Minister of Education, Jeanne D'Arc Mujawamariya.

Klein wrote proposals on Community Revitalization Centers (CRC) and Pet Evacuation and Transport. Both received the support of Mississippi Governor, Haley Barbour, and were passed through the offices of President Clinton, FEMA, MEMA and heads of federal, state and local agencies throughout the Gulf Coast and Washington D.C. Klein's proposal for CRC's has been followed as a blueprint in Mississippi. His concepts have been emulated in both political and relief arenas as straight-forward solutions to disaster relief worldwide.

Klein was chosen out of thousands of applicants nationwide to participate in Oprah Winfrey's new primetime TV series, the BIG GIVE, a reality show where he competes to change the lives of strangers. The series is produced by Harpo Productions, and Bertram van Munster, Executive Producer/Co-Creator, and his partner, Elise Doganieri, Senior Producer/Co-Creator.

Eric Klein is the son of Katherine and James Klein, CEO and Co-Founder of Madison Resource Funding, based in Portsmouth, NH. He received a BA in Communication from Florida Atlantic University in 1992.

LINK: http://www.can-do.org/