Patrons

Fall 2015

Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/586182

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 21 of 35

ATRON PROFILES PATRONS | Fall 2015 22 A Half Century of GOOD CITIZENSHIP American Honda Targets Health Care in not so "Random Acts of Helpfulness" WRITTEN BY DAVID G. LIPIN PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE O'DONNELL I f you think the "random acts of helpfulness" stories you hear on the radio or see on TV are limited to the folks who receive an impromptu phone call or visit from a representative of the Southern California Helpful Honda Dealers, think again. Ever since American Honda fi rst established offi ces in the United States back in 1959, American Honda founder Kihachiro Kawashima impressed upon his SoCal staff members the importance of contributing to the surrounding community. "Wherever Honda establishes an offi ce, we need to be a part of the community," says Stephan Morikawa, vice president of Corporate Relations & Social Responsibility for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Recounting American Honda's corporate policy of more than a half-century, Morikawa—a Honda employee since 1978—states, "We want Honda to be a company that people want in their community." Honda has sponsored the Honda Campus All- Star Challenge (HCASC), a national academic college quiz competition, since its inception in 1989. rough HCASC it has donated more than $7 million in grants to the universities. Its contributions to youth, education, the arts and science, health care and technology include the creation of Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center; a tuition-free alternative high school in Estes Park, Colorado; Ride for Kids, a national ride program that raises money for pediatric brain tumor research; and the National Youth Project Using Minibikes (NYPUM), which partners with juvenile justice agencies to support at-risk youth. It also sponsors the National Hockey League's Anaheim Ducks, whose home arena is the Honda Center, as well as the Honda Classic PGA Golf Tournament, which raises funds for children's health care in South Florida. Elevating the theme of helpfulness to a whole new level, this year, American Honda Motor Co. announced an unprecedented $1 million donation to nonprofi t Torrance Memorial Medical Center. Much of the donation will go toward the Melanie and Richard Lundquist Tower, which is named after the long-time area philanthropists who contributed $50 million to the 390,000-square-foot tower. e Lundquist Tower was completed ahead of schedule and at $10 million under budget. Laura Schenasi (far le ) and Craig Leach (far right) accept keys to a 2015 Honda Odyssey from Honda's Steve Morikawa. The van will be to be used for pa ent transport.

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Patrons - Fall 2015