Several auto manufacturers have made benevolent pledges to aid victims of the Moore and Shawnee, Oklahoma tornado.
The General Motors Foundation gave $50,000 to the “Help 4 Oklahoma” relief campaign, which is delivering supplies, some from its plants and offices, to the regional food bank. The Foundation has also donated $500,000 to Habit for Humanity to help with clean up efforts in Texas counties.
Ford Motor Company is donating $250,000 and a Ford Transit Connect van to the Red Cross and will match pledges up to $250,000 from employees, dealers or anyone else. In addition, Ford is allotting 500 dollars toward the purchase of a new car to owners whose vehicles were damaged in the tornado.
The United Way received a generous gift of 150,000 from a group of Oklahoma Ford dealerships.
Volkswagen of America also gave $250,000 and, like Ford, is matching the donations from its employees.
The Chrysler Foundation gave $100,000 to the nonprofit disaster relief organization, First Response Team of America.
RAM donated some of its Heavy-Duty pick-ups to the rebuilding efforts.
Honda has offered the Red Cross as many generators as it will need and Chevrolet has donated a 2013 Silverado pickup to Forgotten Harvest.
Finally, Toyota announced $250,000 in support for rebuilding efforts in the way of food, revitalization, small business and home rebuilding. Toyota, too, will match the contributions of its employees.
As with any disaster of this nature, there is much work to be done and there are many days of recovery ahead. It is good to see car companies lend their support to helping citizens of Oklahoma. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by these terrible tornadoes.
If you would like to help by donating to the relief efforts, NBC News has created an online resource for organizations helping the Oklahoma community.
