Chevrolet Trucks assists tornado recovery in South 
- Twelve Silverado crew cab pickups donated to Alabama United Ways
- GM Foundation provides $100,000 grant to American Red Cross
- OnStar providing Crisis Assist Services for customers in affected states
TUSCALOOSA – The sun was still below the hills here in Tuscaloosa, but GM employees and volunteers from Tuscaloosa Chevrolet were already hard at work transferring supplies from a Ryder rental truck into the beds of a dozen brand new two-wheel-drive Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab 1500 pickups Chevrolet is donating to United Ways in Alabama to help with recovery and reconstruction work following a series of deadly tornadoes that struck the region April 27.
The 12 donated pickup trucks, vaued at more than $430,00, along with a GMC Savana full-size van, will be distributed to United Ways in western and central Alabama for use in local relief efforts.
The donations of the trucks came as people from throughout GM reached out to those hit hard by last week’s storms. GM volunteers from the southeast region are gathering in communities where the need is critical to acquire and distribute relief supplies such as tarps, flashlights and batteries.
“This is our home and our community, so this is a really big deal to have Chevrolet donate these trucks and supplies to United Way.” says Donald Crowe, president of Tuscaloosa Chevrolet. “It’s comforting to know Chevrolet steps up like this in time of need.”
“With the help of Chevrolet,” says Crowe, “we were able to provide a major and immediate contribution during the recovery period, and also leave a long-lasting contribution to West Alabama in the form of Chevrolet vehicles that can be used to benefit local citizens and volunteers for years into the future.”
Also today, the General Motors Foundation announced that it is providing a $100,000 grant to the American Red Cross to help disaster relief efforts in the southeastern states. GM is also encouraging employees to personally support these efforts through a donation link on GM’s internal website.
GM’s OnStar is providing Crisis Assist Services for subscribers in affected states, which provides free hands-free calling minutes and directions. OnStar’s Directions and Connections service is being provided for six months along with 1,000 hands-free calling minutes for each of the donated trucks.
The total Chevrolet, GM Foundation, and OnStar contribution is estimated to exceed $500,000.
GM employees and volunteers at Tuscaloosa Chevrolet help load the donated Silverado pickups with supplies to be distributed toward tornado relief efforts in the region. Photos by Bruce W. Smith/Randall-Reilly
Quotes:
“Chevrolet has a strong commitment to its communities, and we are working with our dealers, our employees, and relief agencies to help people in the southeast recover from the storms. The Silverado crew cab is a real workhorse, and we know these trucks will find many uses carrying people and hauling supplies as these communities rebuild.” – Alan Batey, vice president, Chevrolet sales and service
“GM and its employees have a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to our country and the communities where we live and work. At a time of great need, GM will always be there with its people and products to answer the call for help.” – Bob Ferguson, GM Foundation chairman and GM vice president, global public policy
“Alabamians have suffered tremendously as a result of the storms on April 27. Through Chevrolet’s amazing generosity, the vehicles provided will transport volunteers and get donated items where they are needed most.” – Becky Booker, executive director, United Ways of Alabama
“The destruction that has been imposed upon the community of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is the greatest since 1932. One-seventh of the city has been destroyed. We have at least 39 deaths and over 450 people still missing. United Way of West Alabama and its partners are working around the clock to assist those that have been affected. The generous donation of these vehicles will make the recovery so much easier. Thanks to Chevrolet for this wonderful outpouring of generosity and caring for the people of West Alabama.” – Homer Butler, president, United Way of Western Alabama
“We are incredibly grateful to GM for this donation. These trucks will be put to immediate use shuttling volunteers, supplies and equipment into affected areas.” – Drew Langloh, president and CEO United Way of Central Alabama.
