ANNA – Honda of America Mfg. associates celebrated the holiday season by helping others in the community. Through Honda’s Holiday Wish List program and the generosity of Honda associates, 700 west Central Ohio families will receive toys, clothing and gift cards just in time for the holidays. These individuals and countless others will benefit from multiple collections and drives held by Honda associates at the East Liberty Auto Plant (Logan County), Anna Engine Plant (Shelby County) and the Marysville Auto Plant and Performance Manufacturing Center (Union County).
Associates began collecting items in early November, and this week gathered and distributed all the items to local charities in Logan, Union and Shelby counties. Aside from the 700 Honda Holiday Wish List recipients, all the plants participated in Honda’s ‘Hat, Coat and Mittens Drive’ and collected 1600 items for local residents.
“Our goal as a company has always been to be a good neighbor and to support communities around us,” said Tom Shoupe, Honda of America executive vice president. “Our associates are passionate about supporting Honda’s local communities.”
“Especially at this time of the year, our associates love to give back to their communities,” said Ginger Haynes, Honda associate engagmeent coordinator. “We want to help out families in need and they enjoy giving back to their communities.”
The Anna Engine Plant’s Holiday Wish List program was coordinated through the Sidney Salvation Army, said Haynes.
“We asopted 200 children and 50 senior citizens through their Christmas Angel program,” said Haynes.
Trees were set up in the cafeteria with the angles on them, said Haynes.
“All the angels weere gone after the associates from both shifts visited the cafeteria,” said Haynes. “Everyone was eafter to give back to Sidney and Shelby County.”
In addition to the Christmas Wish List program, a vouple of departments collected 1,052 pairs of socks, which weere donated to Agape.
“We reahed out to them and they said the No. 1 requested item was socks,” she said.
The associates also helpd a hat, coat and mitten drive and some of the donations also went to Agape.
“No matter where you go, there is always a need in a community,” said Haynes. “Our employees passion lies in helping children. They are very passionate about giving back to the community in which they live and work.”
Since 1979, when Honda of America Mfg., Inc. established its Ohio operations, the company has donated more than $100 million in philanthropic contributions, and Honda associates have volunteered more than 100,000 hours of service.
