Chevrolet and GM Foundation Help Missouri Tornado Relief

DETROIT, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The General Motors Foundation today announced a $100,000 grant to the American Red Cross to aid recovery efforts for victims of the tornado that ravaged Joplin, Mo. on May 22.

"Thanks to the generosity of the General Motors Foundation, the Red Cross has been able to mobilize support to help families recovering from the recent tornado in Joplin, Missouri," said Neal Litvack, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. "These contributions from the General Motors Foundation, along with the strong support of the American public, are critical because they enable the Red Cross to rush immediate relief to disaster victims."

The GM Foundation also provides funding to the Annual Disaster Relief Giving Program, which enables the Red Cross to provide immediate disaster relief anywhere in the country.  

In the wake of what many are calling the deadliest tornado in recent history, the program quickly dispatched a Disaster Action Team in Joplin to assess the crises, open a shelter and partner with other organizations to provide emergency care for hundreds of evacuees.

"GM has employees who work in Missouri, and we want to be there to help our neighbors who are hurting," said Bob Ferguson, GM Foundation chairman and GM vice president, Global Public Policy.  "With the Red Cross, the Foundation can help with the recovery effort and restore some hope that things will get better."

Also as part of today's announcement, Chevrolet will provide two Chevrolet Express full-size vans, built at GM's Wentzville, Mo. facility, to help United Way of Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas volunteers with evacuation and recovery work.  Employees at Wentzville and GM's Fairfax, Kan., plant, which builds the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick Lacrosse sedans, are collecting relief donations at the plants' entrances over the next two days.

"For more than 28 years, we've built full-size Chevrolet and GMC vans in Missouri and enjoyed a collaborative and supportive relationship with the state and local community," said Alan Batey, vice president, Chevrolet Sales and Service. "It's important that we return the support and care to our extended GM family in Joplin and surrounding communities following the devastation of the deadly storm."

GM's OnStar has opened its Crisis Assist Services for subscribers in the Joplin area, which provides free hands-free calling minutes and access to Advisors who can provide directions.  OnStar will continue the free service for an additional seven days as search and rescue efforts continue.

The total Chevrolet, GM Foundation and OnStar contribution is estimated at more than $170,000.

So far this year, GM and the GM Foundation have provided more than $1.7 million to disaster relief efforts in Thailand, New Zealand, Australia and Japan, as well as the Southern U.S. states hit by extreme weather. The contributions have included the donation of 13 Chevrolet and GMC trucks for use in rescue and reconstruction efforts in the United States. Additionally, GM employees across the country have donated hundreds of volunteer hours collecting and distributing emergency supplies and providing manpower where needed.

GM employees interested in providing support to tornado victims are encouraged to use the donation link through the company's internal website.  Other individuals can help by visiting www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make a donation.

About the GM Foundation:

Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to deserving American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. For more information, visit www.gm.com/content/gmcom/home/company/aboutGM/corporate_responsiblity/gm_foundation_gmf0.html

SOURCE General Motors