COLUMBUS, Ohio — Huntington Auto Finance recently announced that it will make a donation for every auto loan booked through its dealership partners — up to $100,000 — to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Donations will be made in the names of the dealers who choose to participate in the program, which is running until May 31.

"The earthquake and tsunami that devastated northern Japan have created great hardships for the Japanese people," said Rich Porrello, director of Huntington's auto finance business. "With this donation program, we purposefully involved our auto dealer partners — who are directly connected to Japan through the global automotive industry — so that together we could show our support and solidarity for the Japanese people as they recover from this disaster with their characteristic resilience and determination."

Michael Carroll, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus, added, "We are extremely grateful for our strong and long-standing relationship with Huntington Bank. They have been a great partner to us locally and now join with the Red Cross in bringing aid to the people of Japan."

Huntington said it hopes to raise as much as $100,000 through this collaborative effort with its future auto loan customers and 2,500 dealer partners.

Huntington has provided new and used financing and dealer services throughout the Midwest for more than 60 years, and currently serves customers in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.