Several Companies Donate Money for Japanese Victims

The Walt Disney Company, United Technologies Corp., Amgen and Northrop Grumman are donating millions of dollars to help those affected by Japan’s recent 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami. Disney has committed to donate at least $2.5 million to the American Red Cross to support humanitarian aid efforts in the country. In addition to Disney’s initial contribution, the Burbank-based entertainment company has also agreed to provide up to $1 million total in matched Disney cast member and employee donations to the Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund and to Save the Children. “Our hearts go out to the people of Japan,” said Robert A. Iger, the company’s president and CEO. “We send our continued thoughts of support and encouragement as this great nation begins the long road to recovery.” United Technologies Corp.—which owns Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne—has contributed $1 million and has pledged to match employee contributions up to an additional $500,000 to Red Cross relief efforts. “United Technologies has been in Japan for more than 100 years, and we are deeply committed to our employees and partnerships there,” said Louis Chênevert, the company’s chairman and CEO. “We are thankful that all UTC employees are safe and want to offer this support to those affected by this tragedy.” Thousand-Oaks based Amgen and the Amgen Foundation will distribute $1 million in funds to both Direct Relief International and International Medical Corps to help bring basic needs and vital health services to the disaster victims. Amgen has ties in Japan through its partnership with Kirin Holdings and its pharmaceutical affiliate, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, as well as its more recent partnerships with Takeda Pharmaceutical and Daiichi Sankyo. The Northrop Grumman Foundation will provide $500,000 through three agencies supporting the Japan recovery effort. Those agencies include AmeriCares, American Red Cross International and Save the Children. The foundation will also provide up to another $500,000 to an employee matching gift program to help Japan. The company became a member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program on March 7. Jessica Vernabe