Mohawk employees were enthusiastic when they were given the opportunity to help Haiti, said Anne Reynolds manager of training communications of Mohawk Home.

“I felt it was a really great opportunity, and they were happy to be a part of it,” Reynolds said.

Mohawk Home of Calhoun sent 6,102 rugs recently to the people of Haiti affected by the January earthquakes.

All of these colorful rugs were made by the employees of Mohawk Home, perhaps making this endeavor even more special.

“We wanted to provide a bright spot in what might otherwise be a bleak situation,” Reynolds said.

The rugs will also be used as place for many displaced families to lay their heads.

“Many people are sleeping in tents, and they are laying in the mud or dirt; this will give them a more comfortable place to sleep,” Reynolds said.

The project began when a Mohawk Home associate in New York named Elizabeth Miller became aware of a textile industry movement to collect supplies for Haiti, Reynolds said.

After doing a little research Reynolds found an opportunity to work with Operation Compassion, a non-profit organization that works to provide disaster relief to people around the world affected by natural disasters.

Mohawk Home employees got the rugs ready by rolling, stacking and packing them. The rugs were then transported by the Mohawk logistics department to the Operation Compassion warehouse in Cleveland, Tenn.

“It really was a team effort,” Reynolds said. “The employees got really excited about reaching out.”

Once the rugs are sorted by Operation Compassion, they will be packed and shipped to Haiti.

“This has been quite a partnership,” Reynolds said.