MACI Donates $50,000 to Jackson County COVID-19 Response Fund

(April 7, 2020 6:45 AM) Michigan Automotive Compressor, Inc. (MACI) announced yesterday the company is donating $50,000 to the Jackson County COVID-19 Response Fund.

Cheryl Norey, MACI Community Relations Manager said MACI President Hugh Kusaba approved the donation of $50,000 to the Jackson County COVID-19 Response Fund.  The fund is administered by United Way of Jackson County and the Jackson Community Foundation.  The money will be used to meet the basic needs of Jackson County residents, including diapers, food, and essential items; as well as local nonprofits who help people with the long term implications of this crisis.

Cheryl Norey told JTV, “Both organizations have a strong record of financial accountability and collaboration with other nonprofits.  We are confident that MACI’s gift will help as many of our neighbors and neighborhoods as possible.”

“This gift will be able to help many of our neighbors,” said Norey.  ”We made it a priority to keep our team, associates and temporaries, financially secure during the pandemic.  Clearly we are all in this together, so now we are doing our part for Jackson.”

MACI President Hugh Kusaba emphasized, “We must respect this virus, and we must respect each other. Everyone can help in the best way for them. At this extraordinary time, I am praying for the best—for our MACI family, our community, our customers and the world. I have no doubt that together, we will get through this.”

MACI will mark its 30th year of production in Jackson County this June.   The largest manufacturing employer in Jackson, MACI employs about 1,000 associates.

Last month, MACI donated various supplies to Henry Ford Allegiance Health.  MACI was able to donate 4 pallets of protective gear that included safety glasses, rubber gloves, shoe covers, Tyvek sleeves, paper aprons, lint-free wipes and Nitrile gloves.

In a statement, MACI said, “The selfless, courageous health-care professionals working around the clock at HFAH are our neighbors, relatives and family. We are grateful for all they are doing for us now. We are proud to be able to give them anything that will make them safer. We are happy for the chance to say ‘Thank You’ in a tangible way; it’s the least we can do for our community.”

United Way of Jackson County and the Jackson Community Foundation jointly launched the COVID-19 Response Fund to help the community deal with the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and the steps taken to slow the disease’s spread.

“We’re deeply concerned over the impact of the novel coronavirus on our community, and especially how it’s affecting our most vulnerable residents,” said Ken Toll, President & CEO of United Way of Jackson County.

“Our new COVID-19 Response Fund will allow United Way to help support broad-based efforts that lift up those who are disproportionately impacted,” he said.

“We are so fortunate that our community has a network of leaders across the sectors of K-12 and post-secondary schools, businesses, nonprofits, government, and philanthropy.  We are all working together to coordinate an efficient, effective, and timely response to a rapidly changing situation,” said Monica Moser, President & CEO of the Jackson Community Foundation.

As of April 1, the fund has raised $131,268 and $22,819 has been spent helping Jackson County residents meet basic needs.

You can make a gift to the COVID-19 Relief Fund by going to the United Way Donate page. Fill out the form, click on “Type of Gift” and select “COVID-19 Response Fund.” You can also text VIRUS to 91999 to make a contribution.