GM Foundation Pledges $500,000 to Help Victims of Texas Tornadoes

DETROIT, May 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The General Motors Foundation is pledging $500,000 to Habitat for Humanity to help victims of the recent tornadoes in five Texas counties. The funds will be used to help restore neighborhoods devastated by Wednesday's storms.

"Helping Texas residents rebuild and repair their homes is a critical priority for Habitat for Humanity International in the aftermath of the recent tornadoes," said Selim Bingol, vice president, GM Global Communications and Public Policy and Chairman of the GM Foundation. "Through the $500,000 grant from the GM Foundation and the recently donated Chevrolet Express Vans, we are helping the organization immediately provide financial and other important resources to those in need."

Habitat for Humanity is assessing the impact on affordable housing in the affected areas and will assist with clean up, repairs and new construction efforts.

In addition to GM Foundation's donation, Chevrolet donated 24 Chevrolet Express vans in 2012, creating the organization's first-ever fleet of mobile response units. With their work behind them, some of the mobile response units are making their way from Superstorm Sandy-affected areas to Hood, Johnson, Montague, Parker and Wise counties to assist in recovery efforts. The vans are filled with tools and equipment from Lowe's and Robert Bosch Tool Corporation

The GM Foundation's support of Habitat for Humanity in 2013 also includes a $1 million grant for neighborhood revitalization efforts in 12 U.S. cities, including Arlington and Austin, Texas, where teamGM Cares volunteers will be deployed this year.

"From leadership giving and corporate gifts to much-needed vehicles and volunteers to assist with recovery efforts, Dan Akerson, the GM Foundation and Chevrolet are leading the way to help families rebuild their lives," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity International. "This latest pledge will help the residents of impacted Texas communities come home again." 

In 2012, GM's Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson and his wife, Karin, provided a $1 million personal gift to Habitat for Humanity's "Leaders to ReBuild Detroit" initiative.

The GM Foundation's support of Texas also includes a recent $100,000 grant to the Red Cross to aid emergency management officials with relief efforts in West, Texas. The GM Foundation also donates annually to the American Red Cross Disaster Responder Program to ensure the organization has funds to provide immediate relief when disaster strikes.

About the General Motors Foundation
Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to 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.  Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM.  The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 600,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org, or follow us at www.facebook.com/habitat or at www.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat's blog community at www.habitat.org/blog.

SOURCE General Motors Foundation