Toyota Forklifts is donating $50,000 to Hurricane Harvey relief, a move by the Columbus-based company to help Toyota employees in the Houston and south Texas area.
The donation is a combined effort from Toyota Industries Corp., Toyota Material Handling USA, Toyota Industrial Equipment and Toyota Commercial Finance and their employees, who also contributed to the corporate donation, company officials said.
It will be going to support affected forklift dealership employees and the south Texas community as a whole, including the American Red Cross, a release from the company said. The company elected to make financial donations after learning that the primary need for those affected by the hurricane was long-term financial relief.
Financial assistance from the donation may be used to cover insurance deductibles and to replace home furnishings that were lost or damaged in the hurricane, company officials said.
“The recent hurricanes caused major damage to many areas, including Houston, where some of our dealer employees lost homes and vehicles,” said Tracy Stachniak, Toyota Material Handling USA director of human resources and training & development.
“We rallied together to support our family members and the community of Houston. We’re proud the Toyota family is always eager to support one another in time of need.”
In addition to the corporate donations from Toyota, the company will be making a dollar-for-dollar match gift for all donations generated at the local Toyota facilities that will support Toyota employees in the Houston area.
The donations will be used to provide Toyota employees with relief grants to cover utility expenses, home repairs, transportation, lodging, medical expenses, food, clothing and other needs, Toyota officials said.
The support will benefit employees of Toyota Lift of Houston, Toyota Lift of South Texas and the Houston community.
Anyone who wishes to support ongoing relief efforts is being directed to the American Red Cross, which is continuing to accept donations for hurricane relief for families affected in Texas.
For more information about Toyota Forklifts, or efforts to help in south Texas, visit toyotaforklift.com.
Anyone wishing to specifically support Toyota employees affected by the hurricane may donate directly to the Doggett Equipment Services Team, a foundation set up to help fund the Toyota relief grants. Donors should visit https://ghcfdisaster.kimbia.com/doggettrelief for more information, Toyota officials said.
