DaimlerChrysler helps the children

"Our company is part of the fabric of America. That fabric has been torn but it will mend. The United States is a great country, which will overcome this tragedy."

These are the words of Jürgen Schrempp, chairman of the DaimlerChrysler Corporation, written in a note sent to all employees following the September 11th terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C.

SCHREMPP... committed $10-million to support children affected by terrorist attacks.

The note to employees followed a personal note to President George Bush in which Schrempp expressed "our utter shock and deep felt sorrow over today's catastrophic terrorist attacks against the American people". He assured the President that "as a German-American enterprise with thousands of employees in the United States, we are in complete solidarity with the American people during these dark hours." 

He later announced that DaimlerChrysler was committing $10-million - through the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund - to support the children of victims of the terrorist attacks. Additional donations from members of the DaimlerChrysler family around the globe - including employees, dealers and suppliers - would be established through the Fund. The funds will be used to support various educational purposes and other relief efforts for children who had lost parents.

"In these difficult hours - for the civilized world and especially for the American people - we want to send a signal of humanity and solidarity," said Schrempp. "The attacks have deeply affected the lives and futures of many children who have lost a mother or father. While this can never replace the void in these children's lives, it can help give them renewed hope."

Immediately following the tragedy, DaimlerChrysler volunteered to hold emergency blood drives at its facilities to aid victims of the attacks. DaimlerChrysler is listed on the Red Cross' schedule of emergency substitute sites.

In addition, all DaimlerChrysler employees who serve as volunteer firefighters, emergency medical personnel and with the military reserve and National Guard units were put on-call to support recovery efforts in the two cities. The company also indicated that it was on stand-by to transport medical and relief supplies to New York City and Washington, D.C., if requested by the American Red Cross

At 10.00am on the Thursday following the attacks, DaimlerChrysler worldwide facilities observed a "time of reflection". During the dedicated five minute period, employees at manufacturing and operational facilities joined together in a spirit of unity and compassion for the victims of Tuesday's tragedy, their families and for the thousands of emergency and medical personnel who were risking their lives in the rescue effort.