Hartford’s United Technologies Corp. and New Haven energy utility UIL Holdings Corp. lead Connecticut companies donating to relief efforts from the devastating Japan earthquake that has crippled the northeastern section of that Asian island nation.
UTC is contributing $1 million, and pledged to match employee contributions up to another $500,000 to support relief efforts in Japan, where it has employees and customers, Chairman and CEO Louis Chenevert said. All its employees there are accounted for and safe.
The parent of United Illuminating Co. and natural-gas utilities Southern Connecticut Gas, Connecticut Natural Gas and Massachusetts’ Berkshire Gas is matching employee contributions 50 cents on the dollar.
“In this extraordinary time of need, it is important that we think globally, but act locally,” said UIL CEO James P. Torgerson.
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“United Technologies has been in Japan for more than 100 years, and we are deeply committed to our employees and partnerships there,” Chenevert said.
UTC will match 100 percent of employee contributions to Red Cross relief efforts, to a maximum of $500,000, to support humanitarian relief urgently needed in affected areas. .
UILsaid its foundation will oversee employee contributions.to the following:
American Red Cross International Disaster Relief Fund
(www.american.redcross.org)
Americares (www.americares.org)
CARE (www.care.org)
Doctors Without Borders (www.doctorswithoutborders.org)
International Medical Corps (www.internationalmedicalcorps.org)
Salvation Army (www.salvationarmyusa.org)
Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org)
World Vision (www.worldvision.org)
