Press Release: DETROIT -- The General Motors Foundation is donating 30 GMC trucks to the Haitian relief effort to assist victims and aid workers in the aftermath of the January 12 earthquake that struck the Caribbean nation, following President Bill Clinton’s recent public call for vehicles to support recovery efforts.

Two of the trucks arrived in Miami on Feb. 3 and were present at the NFL Little Haiti Outreach Event held at the Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center.  As part of the NFL’s outreach following the disaster in Haiti, NFL players toured the Center, spoke about their ties to the Haitian community and their efforts with NFL partners to collect relevant donations for the Little Haiti community.

“Everyone in America has been affected in some way by this tragedy," said Susan Docherty, GM Vice President Sales, Service and Marketing and GM Foundation Board member. “That includes GM employees, families and friends.  GMC and the NFL are visiting the heart of the Haitian community in South Florida to show our support.”

The Sierra pickup trucks arrived with supplies such as tarps and tents donated from Florida GMC dealers and their communities.  The pickups will arrive in Haiti mid-February at the request of Edmond Mulet, acting head of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Haiti. This is part of a coordinated effort of the GM Foundation and the William *** Clinton Foundation, in response to the dire need for trucks to transport supplies to survivors. The William J. Clinton Foundation is providing transit of the vehicles to Haiti. President Clinton currently serves as U.N. Special Envoy for Haiti.

“Immediate needs in Haiti include basic supplies and reliable transportation that can handle rugged and mountainous terrain,” said GM Foundation Chairman John T. Montford.   “We believe the donation of 30 GMC trucks can have an immediate and beneficial impact on relief efforts in Haiti.”  

The donation of the trucks is a contribution from the General Motors Foundation GM Global Aid program.

The GM Foundation’s total cash giving for Haitian Relief is $100,000.  An additional $250,000 was raised on Saturday, Jan. 23, by the auction of a limited-edition Chevrolet Corvette at the 39th annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction.  Additional donations are being collected at U.S. auto shows.  All monies for Haiti relief efforts will be presented to the American Red Cross.  


SOURCE: General Motors