2005 NEWS ARCHIVES

Germain Toyota surprises Columbus' Hurricane Katrina survivors with new cars

COLUMBUS (October 10, 2005) – Steve Germain, President and CEO of Germain Motor Company, presented nine new 2006 Toyota Corollas to families who recently relocated to Columbus from hurricane-ravaged South Louisiana. The presentation was made at Germain Toyota on Monday.

Germain Motor Company will pay the leases on all nine cars for two years.

"All of the employees of Germain Toyota and Germain Motor Company are excited to be able to assist these families who have gone through so much during the past six weeks," said Germain. "The outpouring of support for these families from the Central Ohio community has been outstanding, and we wanted to add a meaningful contribution to the tremendous efforts that have already taken place."

The new Columbus residents arrived in Ohio on September 7. The Crawford Hoying Foundation provided transportation to Columbus from Louisiana. The Foundation has also provided the families with rent-free furnished apartments from Crawford Communities, jobs, food, clothing, medical care, and assistance with getting the children into Columbus schools.

The Crawford Hoying Foundation originally relocated 27 people from South Louisiana to Columbus following Hurricane Katrina. Since then seven additional family members have been located in hospitals and shelters across the United States and brought to Columbus. And on Tuesday, September 27, Rhaquell Austin was born at Grant Medical Center, bringing the total number of new Columbus residents to 35.

"This has been a great experience for me and all of our friends and colleagues throughout Central Ohio who have been so generous with their time, money, and resources in order to help make Columbus home for these families," said Brent Crawford of Crawford Communities.

"We originally approached Steve Germain and Germain Motor Company about buying vehicles for these families. Instead, Steve made the unbelievably generous offer to provide new cars to the families for free. It's just another example of how the people of Columbus have stepped up welcome these families into the Central Ohio community."

All of the cars will be put in the names of their new owners. Thus, the payments will be made in the owners' names, helping to build a healthy credit history for each of the families.

"As I have stated since the beginning of this project, this is not a one week or one month commitment," said Dave Whinham, President of The TEAM Sales Company, who traveled to Louisiana to select the families that would eventually relocate to Columbus. "We've brought these folks up here from the only place they have ever known and it is our responsibility to make sure they are able to add a new and successful chapter to their lives. We are in this for the long haul and are committed to seeing that these families grow and prosper with us in Columbus. It will take many, many resources, and the efforts of Steve Germain go a long way in helping to provide the families with the resources they need."

 

Columbus businesses set to take in south Louisiana families left homeless by Hurricane Katrina

COLUMBUS (September 3, 2005) – Numerous Central Ohio businesses and organizations are banding together to help families from hurricane-battered South Louisiana start new lives in Columbus. The project will relocate families from South Louisiana to Columbus, where they will receive free housing, clothing, food, medical services, and groceries, along with jobs and money to get back on their feet.

Buses are scheduled to leave Columbus for Baton Rouge, La., on Monday morning where they will pick up the families. Dave Whinham, President of Columbus-based The TEAM Sales Company, arrived in Baton Rouge on Sunday morning, along with other members of the traveling party. The families are expected to depart Baton Rouge for their new home of Columbus later in the week.

"This is something that we are really excited to do," said Brent Crawford, who owns and operates Crawford Communities, one of the project's major contributors. "The devastation and destruction that we have seen in that region of the country is unprecedented. We are able, willing, and ready to step forward and help these families who have lost everything during this catastrophe."

Along with Crawford Communities, who will provide the families with rent-free apartment homes for a year and jobs within the company, other businesses who have taken a lead role in supporting the project include Crawford Hoying, The TEAM Sales Company, Material Assistance Providers Inc., The Hoop, MAX Sports Centers, Central Ohio Relocation Services, Village Academy, and Cypress Christian Church and School.

"When you see the images on television, it is really hard to imagine what those victims are going through," added Bob Hoying, a partner in Crawford Hoying. "As we continued to look at ways that we could best assist in the recovery efforts, it became apparent that there were numerous families who have lost everything that they own. We want to help some of those families get back to some semblance of a normal life."

Upon arrival in Columbus, the families will be temporarily housed at The Hoop, a 60,000 sq. ft. indoor basketball and fitness facility. Material Assistance Providers Inc. will provide beds for the families to sleep on at The Hoop until they can move into permanent apartment homes. Then Material Assistance Providers Inc. will donate free furniture for the families' apartments and Central Ohio Relocation Services will provide free household goods, such as silverware, pots, pans, dishes, and towels.