VW donates 25 vans to
New York Fire Department

VWoA Press Office - September 21, 2001

Volkswagen of America, Inc. is handing over 25 new EuroVans to the New York City Fire Department, to help the families of the firefighters who lost their lives responding to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre, as well as to assist the department as it carries out its vital day-to-day responsibilities.

Volkswagen will begin loaning the EuroVans, a mid-size van that provides abundant space for people and cargo, to the NYC Fire Department beginning this weekend. All vans will be specially prepped and equipped by the Department's vehicle administration services, with such items as short-wave radios, sirens, and logos.

'Volkswagen of America, Inc. was born in Manhattan in the 1950s and we continue to feel a strong tie to the Greatest City in the World,” said Gerd Klauss, President and CEO, Volkswagen of America. 'We hope this donation of EuroVans helps in some small way to make the lives of the firefighters and their families a little easier in this time of great need. This is just the beginning of our company's commitment to help, as Volkswagen AG in Germany has committed to the establishment of a Foundation to help victims of this senseless violence.”

On Monday, the employees and management of the Volkswagen Group decided to create a Foundation to assist victims of terrorist attacks in the United States. The Foundation will be funded initially with $2 million dollars (US) from Volkswagen.

The purpose of this Foundation is to extend humanitarian help to the children of the families that have been traumatised by last week's terrorist attacks in the United States. This will include medical and psychological assistance as well as rehabilitation and scholarships.

sent in by Pete Frost