World's biggest companies extend aid to PH

MANILA, Philippines (4th UPDATE) - Some of the world's biggest companies, PepsiCo, UPS, JPMorgan Chase, Toyota Motors and The Walt Disney Company, have donated money for relief and rehabilitation efforts in central Philippines, which was devastated by typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

In a statement, PepsiCo Foundation said it is donating $1 million for the typhoon victims in the Philippines. The company is partnering with four relief agency partners to deliver this aid: American Red Cross International Response Fund, Give2Asia, Habitat for Humanity International and Save the Children.

"Over the last few days, we have seen heartbreaking scenes from the Philippines caused by this historic typhoon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the millions of people affected by this devastating storm. As a committed member of the Filipino community, PepsiCo is bringing its resources and its partners together to help in this time of incredible need. We will be there for the Filipino people as they respond to and recover from this natural disaster," Indra Nooyi, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, said in a statement.

UPS, a global leader in logistics, is pledging $1 million to support recovery efforts in the Philippines. The $1 million pledge combines cash grant, in-kind transportation movements and technical expertise to provide urgent relief as well as strategic support for the long-term needs.

"UPS and its partners quickly moved our Global Humanitarian Relief Program to urgent response mode and together have set into motion a multi-faceted relief effort,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation. “We are immediately contributing $500,000 to provide urgent relief. We will monitor progress and on-going needs and will contribute an additional $500,000 later to support the near-term recovery needs of these communities.”

JPMorgan Chase, which has operations in Manila, said it is also pledging $1 million to relief efforts in the Philippines. The company said it will also match employee contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to an additional $250,000.

"The damage created by this storm is hard to comprehend...In addition to financial support being provided by our company, our local employees are volunteering to help with the relief efforts on the ground, even as they help their own friends and families impacted by the disaster," said Roberto Panlilio, Senior Country Officer for J.P. Morgan, Philippines.

The Walt Disney Company Foundation said it is donating $500,000 to Save the Children and The American Red Cross to support humanitarian aid and rebuilding efforts for areas affected by the typhoon in the Philippines. Donations made by employees to organizations involved in disaster relief will also be matched, dollar-for-dollar, by Disney.

"Our hearts go out to the millions of people in the Philippines affected by this tragedy," said Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. "We hope this donation and our employee matching gift contributions will help families begin to rebuild their lives in the wake of this devastation."

CNN said the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which tracks corporate donations, has already seen more than $10.1 million in aid from various companies as of Tuesday.

HSBC and Samsung Group have also pledged $1 million each to the Philippines. Other companies such as IKEA Foundation ($2.6 million), Sony ($150,000) and Nikon ($100,000) have also pledged cash donations.

Royal Caribbean Cruises, which has around 13,000 Filipino employees, said it will match donations from its employees which it says would raise $1 million.

More aid for PH

Companies with operations in the Philippines have contributed cash and in-kind donations for Yolanda victims.

Japan's Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and its local affiliates - Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation and Toyota Financial Services Philippines Corporatio  – have donated P10 million for relief efforts.

"It is with deepest regret that the recent typhoon has taken so many lives and has caused great destruction in many communities in the country.  It is our hope that Toyota’s assistance will help many Filipinos to start anew," TMP president Michinobu Sugata said.

Texas Instruments, which has operations in Baguio and Clark, is also making a $100,000 contribution to the American Red Cross typhoon relief fund for the Philippines. The TI foundation will also match employee and retiree contributions up to $100,000 made through November 30, 2013, to Red Cross through a dedicated TI microsite or local TI Philippines employee donations.

Calvin Ayre, Canadian entrepreneur and founder of the Bodog entertainment brand, personally pledged $200,000 of his own money towards the relief efforts.

Ayre's foundation is challenging the gambling industry to donate to the efforts, saying it will match all donations made by the online gambling industry pesos for peso, up to $1 million. It recommended making donations to the Philippine Red Cross and ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation. After making a donation, email a copy of the receipt to haiyan@calvinayre.com and the foundation will match your donations.

The foundation is also in the process of adopting a village in the damaged area where the group will directly self-administer the assistance to the people in need.

California-based Sutter Health is also donating $200,000 for relief efforts by the American Red Cross International Disaster Relief Fund and International Medical Corps.

"The massive devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines is unimaginable," said Pat Fry, president and CEO of Sutter Health. "While the full extent of the damage continues to unfold, we hope our donation, and donations from others during this time, will help bring comfort and relief to those who need it the most."

The E. & J. Gallo Winery also made a $100,000 donation to relief efforts in the Philippines.

"On behalf of our employees and their families, we are making this donation to help the rescue effort and to provide aid and comfort to the victims of this terrible disaster," said Joseph Gallo, chief executive officer and president of the E. & J. Gallo Winery.

Department store chain Macy's, Inc. said it is making a $50,000 cash contribution to the international relief fund of the American Red Cross for relief efforts in the Philippines and other countries affected by Haiyan. The grant will also assist the American Red Cross' efforts to help Americans locate and connect with their families overseas who are affected by the storm.

The Macy's Foundation will also match dollar-for-dollar all employee contributions of $25 or more to the American Red Cross and other qualified U.S.-based organizations providing relief assistance.

Lifeway Foods, a US-based supplier of kefir cultured dairy products, is sponsoring the Charity Miles app in support of typhoon victims. Charity Miles is an award winning iPhone/Android app that enables people to earn corporate sponsorships for charity while walking, running or biking.

Lifeway is also providing an additional $20,000 matching incentive to the World Food Programme, the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, through Charity Miles. Therefore, whenever someone uses Charity Miles for any charity during the campaign, Lifeway will donate an additional 25¢ per mile through Charity Miles in support of the World Food Programme's Haiyan relief efforts.