Business Aug. 18, 2011 - 03:21AM JST ( 3 )

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

Huntington’s auto finance business has donated $100,000 to the Japan Red Cross Society to support relief efforts for those affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

“The American Red Cross is backing more than half of the Japanese Red Cross’ $350 million aid program designed to meet the continuing emergency and longer-term recovery needs of more than 90,000 families living in evacuation centers and temporary housing,” said Michael Carroll, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus. “Huntington’s generous donation will contribute toward this recovery program, which will ultimately provide those families with household appliances for their temporary homes, improve water and sanitation systems and provide comfort items for those who still remain at evacuation centers.”

At the beginning of May 2011, Huntington announced that it would make a donation for every automobile loan booked that month through its auto dealership partners — totaling as much as $100,000 — to Red Cross relief efforts in Japan. Donations were made in the names of the dealerships that choose to participate in the program.

“Our 2,500 auto dealership partners, who are directly tied to Japan through the global automotive industry, recognized the hardship the earthquake and tsunami have had on the Japanese people and its automotive industry,” said Rich Porrello, director of Huntington’s auto finance business. “These dealers stepped up at a difficult time and made the commitment to join us in raising much-needed money for the Red Cross, as the Japanese people continue to recover and rebuild their country from this natural disaster.”

Business Wire