A Game-Changing Moment
The Northridge Earthquake in January 1994 brought it all together for Howard. A relief agency contacted him requesting a donation of vitamins for families in Southern California. Howard was struck by how happy the natural products industry was to give, and how grateful they were to have an opportunity to make a difference.
His “a-ha!” moment came soon after. He learned of the dramatic impact that vitamin A has on a child’s development, and how despite vitamin A supplementation being simple and inexpensive, very few of the children who needed it had access to it. That was everything he needed to know, and he founded Vitamin Angels.
This understanding remains at the heart of Vitamin Angels’ approach. It’s not necessary to fix everything to make a difference. It’s enough to find a way to make an impact in one specific area. Not only does it effect change, it also inspires and encourages others to join in.
That first year, Vitamin Angels gave over 100,000 vitamins to families in need. As the organization grew, Howard took out a third mortgage on his home to keep his family and the all-volunteer operation going. Along the way, they found more people who wanted to help, together they were able to give more and more children a chance at a healthy start in life.