BELLEFONTAINE, Ohio (April 6, 2019) - With its latest round of charitable giving, Honda of America Mfg., Inc. surpassed $100 million in philanthropic contributions to local Ohio communities. This total includes more than $58 million in corporate contributions, $28 million from Honda associate contributions and $14 million in donations from the Honda of America Foundation in Ohio.
Honda of America, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, reached this milestone with a recent gift of $15,000 to Keep Ohio Beautiful. This three-year project will benefit YMCA’s Camp Willson in Bellefontaine, Ohio. Volunteers will be planting sugar maples and other native Ohio hardwoods to create Camp Willson’s first Sugarbush, the first phase of a new arboretum.
Since beginning production in Marysville, Ohio in 1979, Honda of America’s charitable giving programs have supported many local initiatives. These include grants to hospitals, STEM organizations, community centers, theaters, food banks, after-school programs, nature preserves and camps.
“From the very beginning, our goal has been to be a good neighbor and to support organizations that are dedicated to improving the communities around us,” said Tom Shoupe, Honda of America Executive Vice President. “It’s these communities that took a chance on us in the beginning, and over the years, we’ve worked hard to give back, support local initiatives and enrich lives.”
While Honda has collaborated directly with a wide range of charitable organizations, the company’s associates have played a key role in carrying out community initiatives as well. Over the past four decades, Honda’s associates have volunteered more than 100,000 hours of service to Ohio community activities.
“On behalf of Keep Ohio Beautiful we are so pleased to partner with Honda of America and Camp Willson. We congratulate Honda on its $100 million in philanthropic contributions to local communities in Ohio and 40 years of doing business in our state”, said Karen Wise, Past Board President of Keep Ohio Beautiful and Vice President, Davey Resources Group, Inc. “The staff at Camp Willson has a visionary plan to create, today, the start of a Sugarbush, teaching today’s kids and future campers how to steward the land and realize the benefits of sustainable agriculture. Together, with the help of many Honda volunteers, we’ll establish a working forest that will benefit future generations.”
About Honda in Ohio
Honda will mark its 40th anniversary of manufacturing products in North America on September 10, 2019. Honda was the first Japanese automaker to begin operations in the region, beginning with motorcycles in 1979, followed by the start of automobile production in Marysville, Ohio, on Nov. 1, 1982.
About Keep Ohio Beautiful
Keep Ohio Beautiful, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, believes that everyone deserves to live in an environment that is healthy, safe, clean and beautiful. As a state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Keep Ohio Beautiful serves as Ohio’s umbrella organization for our local 40+ affiliate organizations in numerous Ohio communities. By providing a strong support system and the sharing of best practices, Keep Ohio Beautiful enables volunteers in communities throughout Ohio to improve waste handling practices, litter prevention, recycling, beautification and community greening efforts. Website: www.keepohiobeautiful.org/