Meinl Cymbals recently had the chance to welcome George Hines, founder and owner of the US music store chain George's Music (10 locations in Pennsylvania and Florida) to its home base in Gutenstetten, Germany. George and his wife Lisa were in Europe in early August and took the time to visit the company and see its home base. A good time was had by all and of course it was all followed up by a dinner at the incomparable Fiedler Haus. 

The floods began last month in Pakistan's north-west after heavy monsoon rains and have since swept south, swamping thousands of towns and villages in Punjab and Sindh provinces.

About one-fifth of Pakistan's territory is underwater and an estimated 20 million people are affected.

"I am shocked about the current situation in Pakistan. Millions of people have lost their home and are now suffering from this historic tragedy.", says Mr. Meinl. "We decided to help our Pakistani friends and partners without any hesitation. Our donation will be evenly distributed to families that are still living under open sky."

Response from our Pakistani contact: "We are working day and night to rehabilitate the victims. We will soon settle these sufferers and build a New Pakistan. Please remember us in your prayers."

Gustav Strobel has been Meinl's first ever employee who started to work for the company in September 1964 until his retirement in November 1992. We will always remember him as a hardworking, reliable, and loyal employee.

Gustav Strobel has died on August 20, 2010 at the age of 76 years.

In loving memory
Reinhold and Ingrid Meinl