Each summer, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama volunteers in red t-shirts descend on communities across central and east Alabama to donate their time and service to non-profit organizations through the company’s Sixth Annual Volunteer Summer.

With the season well under way, associates are already out in full force, organizing activities and providing much needed sweat equity for their for their favorite charities and organizations – and earning money for the charities at the same time.

“HMA Volunteer Summer is a chance for our associates and their families to lend a helping hand and make a positive impact in their local communities,” said Fran Pope who coordinates Honda’s special events.

Participating associates volunteer five hours of service to a certified nonprofit organization of their choice between June 1 – August 31. In turn, HMA will donate $100 to that organization.

This year, associates have already spent time landscaping, painting and performing maintenance at White Plains High School in Calhoun County and Talladega High School in Talladega County. Another group of more than 50 associates spent a day in Cherokee County coordinating registration, preparing meals, serving lunches, providing day care and event support at the annual Rhizo’s Kids International Conference held near Centre. Rhizo Kids is an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the debilitating childhood illness RCDP. RCDP stands for Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata.

Pope said the volunteer groups range of activities have continued to expand to more associates and more organizations each year. “Whether it is helping painting school facilities or building playgrounds for Boys & Girls Clubs, Honda associates are driven to make a difference in their communities this summer,” Pope said.

Kevin Grace, a Line 1 Frame Assembly associate is a believer in HMA Volunteer Summer and the power of teams. He has recruited many of his HMA co-workers to support the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Alabama.

“We can help in our own communities… and it doesn’t cost us anything but time,” Grace said. “Most organizations need our help in a big way because times are hard. Five hours can go a long way for a nonprofit organization.”

Volunteer Summer is an outgrowth of HMA’s HondaStar associate volunteer program. It serves as a catalyst to encourage associates to participate in volunteer activities in their communities.