Goodyear Contributes $25,000 to Indonesian Medical Airlift
20 August 1998
Goodyear Contributes $25,000 to Indonesian Medical AirliftAKRON, Ohio, Aug. 20 -- Responding to the deepening crisis in Indonesia, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is one of several U.S. companies contributing cash and medical supplies to the first emergency relief airlift from the United States to Jakarta, Indonesia. Goodyear is donating $25,000 to the $1.5 million effort, in response to an appeal from UPLIFT International, a Virginia-based non-profit organization, the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council and the U.S. Indonesian Society. The MD-11 aircraft filled with supplies is scheduled to land in Jakarta the week of Sept. 6. "Considering our significant presence in Indonesia, and our espoused corporate values that indicate our commitment to our associates, customers and shareholders, it is only fitting that we include ourselves in this extremely worthwhile project," said Joseph M. Gingo, vice president for Goodyear's Asia Region. Goodyear owns and operates a tire manufacturing facility in Bogor, West Java and two rubber plantations in the state of Sumatra employing approximately 5,800 people. It also has many independent tire outlets throughout the country. The supplies will be delivered to four hospitals: Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Jakarta, West Java; Dr. Soetomo Hospital in Surabaya, East Java; Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital in Ujung Pandang, South Sulawesi; and Prof. Dr. W.Z. Johannes Hospital in Kupang, West Timor. The shipment represents medicines and medical supplies that have been requested by recipient hospitals and coordinated through the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. "We have seen in the last several weeks nothing but the most troubling reports about inflation, food riots and looting in some cities," said M. R. Bowers, president of the U.S. ASEAN Business Council. "We hope that this will help Indonesians who are sick and can't help themselves."