While still contending with disaster turmoil in its homeland, Toyota decided to support the American Red Cross with a donation of $1 million. The funds have been directed for relief efforts to help victims of the recent outbreak of tornados in the Southern, Midwestern and Eastern regions of the United States.

Furthermore, Toyota announced it will match employee contributions to the American Red Cross. The company also intends to provide additional support and assistance to those Toyota employees who have lost their homes.

The string of storms on April 27 forced officials at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama located in Huntsville, Ala., to idle the plant for several shifts because of a lack of power, but the facility sustained little damage.

As is widely known, Toyota is attempting to ramp up production again in Japan, following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Yoshi Inaba, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor North America, stressed that “All of us at Toyota express our sincere condolences to the families affected by these devastating storms.

“Since we have manufacturing plants, suppliers and many dealerships in the regions that were hit the hardest, we felt a special responsibility to lend a hand,” Inaba continued.

“In addition to this financial support, many Toyota employees are already involved in volunteer activities to support those in need. We very much appreciate their personal engagement,” he went on to say.

Kia Makes $1.5 Million Donation

The American Red Cross also received a hefty donation from another foreign automaker. This time Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, located in West Point, Ga., offered $1.5 million to assist with tornado relief efforts in Georgia.

“KMMG is committed to supporting our neighbors, friends and families in the state of Georgia, and our thoughts are with those who were impacted by the recent events,” noted Byung Mo Ahn, group president and chief executive officer of Kia Motors America and KMMG.

“Since arriving in Georgia we have established a very positive relationship with the state and its people, and we are confident the American Red Cross will utilize this donation to provide valuable assistance where it is needed,” Ahn continued.

Gov. Nathan Deal expressed his appreciation, stating, “We are deeply grateful to KMMG for stepping forward with this generous donation, which will go a long way toward helping Georgians affected by the recent tornadoes get back on their feet.

“This is a fine example of the kind of leadership role at which our corporate citizens in Georgia excel,” Deal insisted.

“The American Red Cross in Georgia has a long record of proactive, effective disaster response and will ensure this donation has the maximum possible impact on those who need it,” he added.

Nissan Also Gives to American Red Cross

Another automaker with strong ties in the Southeast opened its donation box for the American Red Cross immediately after the storms struck. Nissan Americas, with its headquarters in Franklin, Tenn., pushed out an immediate $115,000 cash donation.

Nissan said the funds were used to assist the American Red Cross to provide food, clothing and shelter to victims of the tornadoes that left vast destruction in six Southern states, especially Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

“The Nissan Americas team wants to do our part immediately to help those affected by the devastating storms that swept through the South,” Carlos Tavares, chairman Nissan Americas stated at the time.

“We know that the Red Cross is an agency that can act quickly to assess and react to disasters. Their response capabilities will help many people in the upcoming weeks and months,” Tavares added.

Responding to Nissan’s decision, Joel Sullivan, chief executive officer of the Nashville Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, said, “The American Red Cross is incredibly grateful for Nissan’s support.

“Whether it’s Rutherford County, Davidson County, Mississippi or in other parts of the world, Nissan is always one of the first corporations reaching out to offer their support,” Sullivan emphasized.

Nissan pointed out it has a long history of responding to humanitarian needs and disaster relief through organizations that include the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and Second Harvest Food Bank.

General Motors Sends Vehicles South

GM opted to equip various chapters of the United Way with tools to get supplies to storm-damaged areas by giving a dozen Chevrolet Silverado full-size crew cab pickups to the charity organization in Alabama. The trucks are aimed to help with recovery and reconstruction work following a series of deadly tornadoes that struck the region April 27.

The automaker said the 12 donated pickup trucks, along with a GMC Savana full-size van, were due to arrive this week at Tuscaloosa Chevrolet. From there, they will be distributed to United Ways in western and central Alabama for use in local relief efforts.

Officials highlighted the donations of the trucks came as people from throughout GM reached out to those hit hard by the storms. They mentioned volunteers from the Southeast region are gathering in communities where the need is critical to acquire and distribute relief supplies such as tarps, flashlights and batteries.

Also, the General Motors Foundation announced that it is providing a $100,000 grant to the American Red Cross to help disaster relief efforts in the Southeast. GM is also encouraging employees to personally support these efforts through a donation link on GM’s internal website.

Furthermore, GM’s OnStar is providing crisis assist services for subscribers in affected states, which provides free hands-free calling minutes and directions. OnStar’s Directions and Connections service is being provided for six months along with 1,000 hands-free calling minutes for each of the donated trucks.

Officials calculated the total Chevrolet, GM Foundation, and OnStar contribution likely exceeds $500,000.

“Chevrolet has a strong commitment to its communities, and we are working with our dealers, our employees and relief agencies to help people in the southeast recover from the storms. The Silverado crew cab is a real workhorse, and we know these trucks will find many uses carrying people and hauling supplies as these communities rebuild,” noted Alan Batey, vice president of Chevrolet sales and service

Bob Ferguson, GM Foundation chairman and GM vice president of global public policy, chimed in, saying, “GM and its employees have a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to our country and the communities where we live and work. At a time of great need, GM will always be there with its people and products to answer the call for help.”

United Way officials cheered GM’s charitable decision.

“Alabamians have suffered tremendously as a result of the storms on April 27. Through Chevrolet’s amazing generosity, the vehicles provided will transport volunteers and get donated items where they are needed most,” stated Becky Booker, executive director of the United Ways of Alabama.

“The destruction that has been imposed upon the community of Tuscaloosa, Ala., is the greatest since 1932,” insisted Homer Butler, president of United Way of Western Alabama.

“One-seventh of the city has been destroyed,” Butler continued. “We have at least 39 deaths and over 450 people still missing. United Way of West Alabama and its partners are working around the clock to assist those that have been affected. 

“The generous donation of these vehicles will make the recovery so much easier,” he went on to say. “Thanks to Chevrolet for this wonderful outpouring of generosity and caring for the people of West Alabama.”

Finally, Drew Langloh, president and CEO United Way of Central Alabama, added, “We are incredibly grateful to GM for this donation. These trucks will be put to immediate use shuttling volunteers, supplies and equipment into affected areas.”