COLUMBUS, Ohio — Huntington Bancshares' auto finance business revealed this week it has donated $100,000 to the Japanese Red Cross Society in an effort to aid those affected by this past spring’s earthquake and tsunami that devastated the island country.

This donation was a result of a declaration made by Huntington this past May that stated it would make a donation for every automobile loan booked that month through its auto dealership partners — totaling as much as $100,000 — to Red Cross relief efforts in Japan.

Donations were made in the names of the dealerships that chose to participate in the program, and company officials stress "the money is to be used to support Japanese Red Cross Society to aid with medical, psychological and temporary housing support for the people of Japan."

“Our 2,500 auto dealership partners, who are directly tied to Japan through the global automotive industry, recognized the hardship the earthquake and tsunami have had on the Japanese people and its automotive industry,” said Rich Porrello, director of Huntington’s auto finance business.

“These dealers stepped up at a difficult time and made the commitment to join us in raising much-needed money for the Red Cross, as the Japanese people continue to recover and rebuild their country from this natural disaster," he further stressed.
 
The head of the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus Michael Carroll also offered his enthusiasm for the recent donation:  “The American Red Cross is backing more than half of the Japanese Red Cross’ $350 million aid program designed to meet the continuing emergency and longer-term recovery needs of more than 90,000 families living in evacuation centers and temporary housing.“

"Huntington’s generous donation will contribute toward this recovery program, which will ultimately provide those families with household appliances for their temporary homes, improve water and sanitation systems and provide comfort items for those who still remain at evacuation centers,” he continued.

Huntington has provided new and used automobile 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.