Featured Corporate Volunteer Program: Honda
Honda’s commitment to its communities is reflected in the large numbers of employees (associates) who volunteer to serve their fellow citizens. The company says it “believes that volunteering shows the power of the human spirit and proves that by working together, we can build a better world.”
Honda’s Community Action Team (CAT) serves as the face of American Honda to the community. Every November, Southern California families in need receive a box with all the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal through Honda’s Corporate Community Relations Department and CAT’s Thanksgiving in a Box project. Honda associates personally collect the food and assemble the boxes, which are distributed to families from several youth and family services nonprofit organizations.
The Special Olympics of Southern California and the Madrona Marsh Preserve also benefit from CAT activities. Honda associates volunteer and assist at the Special Olympics gymnastics event—which has been sponsored by American Honda for years. And American Honda volunteers help with restoration work at the Preserve – home to rare plants and animals in Torrance, CA. Each year associates assist with planting, weeding, and picking up trash on Habitat Restoration Day.
Honda Heroes rewards associates, spouses and retirees who support nonprofits in their communities. Volunteer hours are rewarded with “Dollars for Doers” grants. More than 198,000 hours volunteered by Honda associates has resulted in grants totaling more than $400,000 since 1995!
National programs sponsored by Honda America include Nation Youth Project Using Minibikes (NYPUM), Ride for Kids for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, and Little League Baseball. The NYPUM helps disadvantaged kids from 10 to 18 by engaging them in fun and challenging activities with positive adult role models. The Ride for Kids helps children with brain tumors by linking motorcycle enthusiasts with fundraising events—and more than $34 million has been raised since 1984.
Finally, kids all across America benefit from Honda’s dedication to Little League Baseball. Honda is the official sponsor of Little League Baseball and supplies the vehicles, creates an interactive display and gives out collectible pins at the LL World Series. Honda also contributes $100,000 annually to help create or renew baseball leagues in urban areas by helping find and build baseball diamonds and teaching parents how to run a league in their community.
Tags: American Honda, Community Action Team, Corporate Volunteer Programs, Corporate Volunteers, Honda, Little League Baseball