Mimicking philanthropic efforts by automakers, the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation has mobilized its emergency relief fund to aid dealership employees recovering from the tornadoes that devastated parts of Iowa and Alabama last week.

NADA indicated that six people already have received grants from the foundation to help them get back on their feet after losing their homes and most of their possessions. Also, the foundation continues to seek donations to help more dealership employees in the South as the need for aid rises.

Jack Leigh, former NADA director from Alabama and president of Leigh Automotive, declared that the tornadoes on April 27 left thousands in his community of Tuscaloosa, Ala., either without homes or with severe damage. Leigh mentioned those whose homes were spared from total destruction have been without power and hot water for more than a week.

He went on to point out at least two dealerships in Tuscaloosa suffered substantial damage, and many store employees are struggling to re-establish safe housing for their families. Leigh noted his own dealership was unharmed, but at least one of his employees was temporarily left without a place to live.

“I’ve got this great employee who had an apartment in one of the hardest-hit areas of Tuscaloosa,” Leigh shared.

“He’s managed to find another apartment, but he’s really got nothing else, so money like this is extremely important at this time,” Leigh continued.

The foundation’s emergency relief fund aids recovery efforts after natural disasters, such as flooding, hurricanes and tornadoes. Since the program started in 1992, officials determined the fund has provided more than 7,500 dealership employees with financial assistance totaling almost $5 million.

In 2008, more than $600,000 was distributed to dealership employees who suffered losses as a result of hurricanes Gustav and Ike and flooding in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa.

To make a donation to the emergency relief fund of the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation, call (703) 821-7233 or email foundation@nada.org.