Hurricane Katrina Aid

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many individuals, organizations, and companies have generously donated to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Here are only a few of the donations that have been made.

Corporate Philanthropy

Automotive Industry

American Honda

On September 2, 2005, American Honda pledged:
*to donate $5,000,000 to the [http://www.redcross.org/ American Red Cross — Disaster Relief Fund]
*to make available "portable generators, water pumps, all-terrain vehicles, personal watercraft, off-road motorcycles, and vehicles to agencies working in the affected areas." [http://www.honda.com/hurricanekatrina.aspx/ 1]
*to match the personal donations of its associates, contractors, temporary employees, and retirees on a dollar-for-dollar basis, with no total limit to contributions.
*to provide payment extensions and other accommodations for Honda customers affected by Hurricane Katrina.

BMW

On September 1, 2005, CEO Ed Robertson of BMW Financial Services was quoted as saying, "In light of the tragedy and destruction left in the wake of this natural disaster, we want to be sure that our customers affected by Katrina do not experience any additional anxiety over late or missed car payments. ...We will work with each and every one individually — customers with leases and retail contracts alike — to arrive at a suitable arrangement."
*The 4,800 BMW FS customers in the affected areas were encouraged to call 1-800-578-5000 to discuss a payment option appropriate to their specific circumstances. [http://www.bmwusa.com/bmwexperience/buzz/news.htm?article=209/ 5]

DaimlerChrysler

On September 1, 2005, DaimlerChrysler announced that:
*the Chrysler Group's Philanthropic Fund will immediately donate $150,000 to the American Red Cross and $200,000 to local charities.
*DaimlerChrysler Services will donate $200,000 to the American Red Cross and match employee contributions up to $50,000.
*Mercedes-Benz USA will make a $250,000 donation to the American Red Cross.
*Freightliner, a DaimlerChrysler subsidiary, will donate $100,000 to the American Red Cross.
*DaimlerChrysler will also match up to $150,000 in contributions made to the American Red Cross by employees, dealers, and retirees.
*Under special circumstances, customers may have their payments extended and deferred for up to 90 days (1-800-556-8172).
*MBUSA agreed to work with the Red Cross to convert part of the plant’s training center into a temporary emergency shelter for storm evacuees who were fleeing the Gulf Coast. [http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom/0,,0-5-7145-1-538484-1-0-0-0-0-0-9-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0,00.html/ 6]

Ford Motor Company

On September 2, 2005, the Ford Motor Company:
*Along with United Auto Workers, donated $100,000 to the Red Cross.
*Will match employee contributions to the Red Cross's Disaster Relief Fund.
*Is providing temporary living expenses for 22 of its employees who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
*Will increase "its payment deferral offer to customers affected by Hurricane Katrina. Customers may now defer up to three vehicle payments; previously two payment deferrals were offered." [http://media.ford.com/newsroom/feature_display.cfm?release=21504/ 2] For this to take effect, customers must register within 60 days to qualify for the deferred payment program by calling Ford Credit (1-800-723-4016).

General Motors

On September 1, 2005, General Motors announced:
*The GM Foundation and GMAC will be making a combined immediate cash donation of $400,000 to the American Red Cross Hurricane 2005 Relief Fund.
*It has pledged to match up to $250,000 in donations to the Hurricane 2005 Relief Fund from GM and GMAC employees through the company's Global Aid Disaster Relief [http://www.gmability.com/ website] .
*They are "making available more than 150 vehicles — including HUMMERS, full-size SUVs, trucks, and vans — for use by the American Red Cross in relief efforts throughout the affected areas." [http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/community/global_aid/katrina.html/ 3]
*That it has donated $50,000 cash to the Red Cross chapter in Shreveport, Louisiana so that they may provide shelter to Gulf Coast evacuees.
*That in regard to payments, customers affected by the storm are urged to contact GMAC. GMAC Insurance: (vehicle insurance, 1-800-468-3466, GM Protection Plan, 1-800-631-5590); GMAC Mortgage: 1-800-766-4622; GMAC Auto Financing: 1-800-200-4622.

Toyota

On September 1, 2005, Toyota's U.S. headquarters announced:
*Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan, Toyota Motor Sales USA, Toyota Financial Services, Toyota Motor North America, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America would collectively be donating $2,000,000 to the American Red Cross.
*They will "assist finance and lease customers affected by Hurricane Katrina by offering a 90-day extension on payments, suspending credit bureau reporting on accounts impacted by the storm, and temporarily suspending collection efforts on these accounts." [http://www.toyota.com/about/news/corporate/2005/09/01-1-katrina-donation.html 4] Customers should call 1-800-874-8822 if they have any questions or requests.
*Employee contributions to the American Red Cross will be fully matched by Toyota Motor Sales USA, Toyota Financial Services, Toyota Motor North America, Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, and Toyota Technical Center.
*Employee contributions to the Salvation Army will be fully matched by Toyota Technical Center.
*Employee contributions to the Friedkin Disaster Relief Fund will be fully matched by Toyota Motor Sales and Toyota Financial Services.

Volkswagen

On September 2, 2005, Audi Financial Services announced:
*"Customers living in counties and parishes of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama that have been declared disaster areas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency will have their retail loans automatically extended and lease payments deferred for 90 days from their most recent due dates. Additionally, customers will not be responsible for late charges during this period." [http://www.audiusa.com/about_pressrelease_detail/0,,countrycode-1_articleId-20001682_subUsageId-9999998197_,00.html?referringPage=Home-Sec_Feature/ 7]
*For more information, customers should call 1-888-237-2834.

Banking and Finance

Bank of America

On September 1, 2005, Bank of America announced that:
*It will immediately donate $500,000 to the American Red Cross — Disaster Relief Fund and $100,000 to the Houston Food Bank for the 23,000 evacuees currently housed at the Houston Astrodome.
*In the coming weeks, another donation of $400,000 will be directed to "the areas of greatest need." [http://www.bankofamerica.com/newsroom/press/press.cfm?PressID=press.20050901.03.htm/ 8]
*For customers with home mortgages, home equity loans, and lines of credit that were affected by the storm, there will be no late charges assessed for 90 days, no negative credit reporting for 90 days, and a payment deferral of 90 days or three payments.
*For customers with credit cards, late fees, overlimit fees, and finance charges will be waived and emergency credit lines on Bank of America Visa or MasterCard credit cards will be increased.

Capital One

*A $1,000,000 donation to the American Red Cross.
*Is matching two-for-one on contributions made by U.S. and Canadian associates, up to $500,000.

JPMorgan Chase

*$1,000,000 to the American Red Cross.
*Will match employee contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to $1,000,000.

Computer Related

Microsoft

*$1,000,000 "to several agencies operating shelters and distributions centers in the region." [http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/citizenship/giving/programs/relief.asp/ 9]

Hewlett-Packard

*Direct cash donation of $1,000,000 to the American Red Cross.
*The HP Company Foundation "will match employees’ contributions, dollar for dollar, up to a total company match of $1 million." [http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/katrina_relief.html/ 10]

Dell

*"Dell and its employees expect to donate up to $2-million to the American Red Cross." [http://www1.us.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/brand/katrina_relief?c=us&l=en&s=gen/ 11]

Broadcasting & Cable

Educational Contributiors

School to School

Brentwood High School's Counter Katrina

*Raised over $77,000 via a live telethon; donated the proceeds to the American Red Cross.

Wellesley High School donating to Biloxi High School

A group at Wellesley High School has raised over $10,000, which will be contributed to [http://www.biloxischools.net/bhs/ Biloxi High School] .
*A volunteer group of students, along with two faculty members, has organized the effort.
*Funds are raised through the sales of silicone wristbands imprinted with "Wellesley Hurricane Help."
*A benefit concert was held, featuring student bands, at which over $8,000 was raised.
*The Class of 2006 is financially sponsoring the effort. 100% of sales go to Biloxi High School. [http://www.google.com/maps?q=high+school+loc%3A+Biloxi,+MS&spn=0.027919,0.051940&t=h&f=l&cid=30395833,-88885278,14912539156091744309&iwloc=A&iwstate2=page%3Abasics&hl=en Map] of Biloxi High School Area.