Fourth in a series of stories highlighting partner activities supporting the efforts against COVID-19

Honda is leading by example and embracing “The Power of Something Greater” by building and donating materials, supporting local communities in need and encouraging others to support the front-line workers in the fight against COVID-19.

Building and Donating Materials

The global company with a strong presence in North America has transformed a majority of its automotive facilities to create and donate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the heroes of the COVID-19 fight working in hospitals and other public health settings.

Ten North American facilities have donated their existing PPE inventory to frontline workers across the continent. These items include gloves, face shields, N95 protective masks, alcohol wipes, half-mask respirators and other types of protective gear. So far, these facilities have combined to donate more than 200,000 items to healthcare providers and first responders.

Honda associates at five different Honda facilities also are using 3D printers to manufacture parts for face shields that are being donated to healthcare facilities and first responders. Face shields cover a larger portion of the face than masks do, and they are typically made from plastic and other materials that make cleaning and reusing face masks possible.

Also, Honda is partnering with Reading, Pennsylvania, based Dynaflo to make compressors for hospital ventilators. Honda associates are assembling the compressors in its Marysville, Ohio, facility with the goal of providing Dynaflo with more than 10,000 compressors per month.

Honda engineers also have developed a new strap for face masks worn by healthcare professionals. The straps are designed to reduce the friction and discomfort on the wearer’s ears. These are being field-tested with Central Ohio hospital personnel.

“We are focusing our societal response on three vital and immediate human needs,” said Rick Schostek, Executive Vice President of Honda North America, Inc. “We are addressing food insecurity at a time when many families are struggling, investigating the potential to use our manufacturing know-how to produce medical equipment to help those battling COVID-19, and deploying our associate ‘virtual volunteers,’ to help people in need.”

Supporting Local Communities

Honda isn’t stopping there. The organization that serves as one of two engine manufacturers in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is also extending its support to community members across the United States, Canada and Mexico to ensure those who are suffering the most are supported and helped during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company has pledged $1 million to provide those in need with access to food through donations to food banks and meal programs that are distributed to nonprofit organizations.

Specifically, in Orange County, California, the Honda Center, a Honda-sponsored entertainment venue, is being used as a socially-distant distribution center. The Second Harvest Food Bank uses the center to distribute food to those in need in the local Orange County community.

In addition to the monetary support of food donations and food banks, Honda has started a COVID-19 Special Matching Gift Program. Any Honda associate that makes a monetary donation to food programs in their local communities can have their donations of up to $1,000 matched.

Encouraging Others

While Honda is working to support those on the front lines of the fight and those who are in the most need, the company is also working hard to encourage others to do the same and create safe, positive and supportive environments in local communities.

Honda is encouraging its associates to serve as “virtual volunteers” and make non-medical grade masks that can help keep fellow community members safe. The company are is encouraging people to support their neighbors during this time and complete wellness checks and provide virtual support for the people they are used to seeing every day.

As people support and virtually check in on each other, Honda is also asking people to support the heroes on the front lines of the fight through a social media campaign called #ThankaHealthCareHero.

The campaign encourages people to offer gratitude and support to doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters, police officers and other front-line workers who are putting themselves at risk to support others’ health and safety.

Fans can participate in this campaign by posting messages on social media that offer gratitude to the heroes on this fight. When posting these images and messages, be sure to use the hashtags #ThankaHealthCareHero and #TeamHondaCares.