Google founder gives $1m to HIAS
Sergey Brin founded Google with Larry Page in 1998
The co-founder of arguably the biggest brand on the internet has taken a step back into his past by giving $1 million (£604,960) to a charity which helped him settle in the US.
Sergey Brin, who established Google with Larry Page in September 1998, has donated the money to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), which helped his family get away from a life of anti-Semitic discrimination in the Soviet Russia.
Part of the billionaire's efforts to increase his philanthropy, the donation has been passed on to mark the 30th anniversary of the Brin family's move to the US, reports the New York Times.
While they were in contact with several charities, HIAS was particularly useful as it helped them pay for tickets and apply for visas, as well as supplying some money for them to get started in their new life in Maryland.
Gideon Aronoff, chief executive of HIAS, said the gift highlighted the "possibilities inherent in being a refugee".
He told the newspaper: "The debate over immigration has frequently become so bitter that an important element has been lost: refugees are as varied in their skills sets and contributions as the rest of us."
SIDEWAYS News for fresh perspectives
Comments
Post new comment