|
Disaster Relief Efforts Statement by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Re: Honda Contributions to 9-11 Recovery Efforts December 2, 2008 Shortly after the devastating events of September 11, 2001, an Internet hoax was launched claiming that CNN had reported that many international automakers, including Honda, had failed to contribute to the corporate response to the 9-11 tragedy. In fact, not only did Honda make a significant contribution to several 9-11 funds, but the reality is that no such CNN story was ever broadcast. This false allegation was a complete hoax. Today, documentation of this hoax is featured on www.snopes.com, www.urbanlegends.com and other myth-busting sites. Now, seven years later, it is unfortunate that this same hoax has reappeared on the Internet. While we made our contributions in the same humble and positive spirit as many other corporations, we now feel compelled to re-state the record regarding Honda's significant response to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. For the record, the Honda family of companies and our associates contributed in excess of $1.5 million in support assistance and products to aid recovery efforts and to help victims of 9-11 cope with their devastating losses. The bulk of these funds were contributed to the United Way of New York "September 11 Fund," and to the American Red Cross. Honda products contributed to the recovery efforts included donations of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and generators to help rescue and recovery workers quickly navigate the difficult terrain around the World Trade Center and commercial generators donated to the American Red Cross for use in disaster-relief efforts, including at the World Trade Center site. Honda is honored to have participated in these efforts. The following is a history of our ongoing communications in this area. Update - September 28, 2005 - In response to further destruction in the Gulf Region caused by Hurricane Rita, American Honda has requested to the American Red Cross (ARC) that the company's $5 million assistance pledge be utilized for general hurricane disaster relief, addressing the needs of those affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. At the same time, American Honda continues to coordinate with the ARC and local, state, and federal relief agencies to determine the need for Honda material support, including portable generators, water pumps, all-terrain vehicles, personal watercraft, off-road motorcycles, and passenger vehicles, in the affected areas. In addition, American Honda Finance Corporation's (AHFC) Disaster Relief Program has been extended to cover families affected by Hurricane Rita. September 2, 2005 - In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, American Honda today announced a pledge of $5 million to the American Red Cross - Disaster Relief Fund. This contribution from the Honda family of companies, its associates, and dealers includes direct corporate contributions and special employee matching gift programs. Honda also is making available portable generators, water pumps, all terrain vehicles, personal watercraft, off-road motorcycles, and vehicles to agencies working in the affected areas. American Honda has been in close communication with the American Red Cross (ARC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide support for relief efforts in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The ARC already has at its disposal twenty 12,000-watt Honda generators for use at emergency relief centers around the country. These generators are maintained through annual corporate contributions from American Honda. Since both the ARC and FEMA have emphasized that the greatest current need is funding to support on-site emergency response teams, on August 31, 2005 American Honda implemented a special corporate matching gift program for its associates, contractors, temporary employees and retirees who would like to make a personal donation to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The company will match donations made by Honda personnel to the American Red Cross - Disaster Relief Fund on a dollar-for-dollar basis with no total limit to contributions. Donations made to the Disaster Relief Fund provide food, clothing, shelter, and other basic necessities to those forced from their homes. American Honda Finance Corporation (AHFC) also has initiated its Disaster Relief Program that provides payment extensions and other accommodations to customers affected by this tragedy. Every effort is being made to provide assistance to AHFC customers. The effort to provide support includes the efforts of many different Honda operations. For example:
American Red Cross - Disaster Relief Fund  |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
