Seven area organizations recognized for community enrichment
General Motors Spring Hill Assembly today announced $100,000 in grants to seven nonprofit organizations through its Community Grants program. The organizations were recognized at the General Motors Spring Hill Pay It Forward Festival during Saturday’s Opening Ceremony.
“Having General Motors as our title sponsor once again this year has been wonderful because they are genuinely vested in our community certainly through being a major employer but also in many other ways that benefit out entire region, not just Spring Hill,” said festival founder and organizer Hazel Nieves.
Nearly 10,000 people attended the festival in 2015.
“Giving back to the community that has supported General Motors in Spring Hill for nearly 30 years is an important part of what we do each day,” said Ken Knight, Complex Manager GM Spring Hill Manufacturing. “Through GM’s Community Grants, we support the work of local non-profits who tirelessly pave the way for a better tomorrow.”
Funded by the GM Foundation, the GM Community Grants will support the following Spring Hill organizations and community programs:
- Gentry Educational Foundation The grant will help fund science, technology engineering and math (STEM) education for over 200 Middle Tennessee students attending STEM Camp 2016.
- Boys & Girls Club of Maury County– Funding will support the organization’s 2016 Summer Academic Program to ensure Maury County youth continue learning and building critical thinking and collaboration skills throughout the summer.
- Friends of Henry Horton State Park– The grant will fund a two mile walking trail, observation deck and educational kiosk in the newly reclaimed wetland area at Henry Horton State Park.
- Imagination Library– The funds will be used to support the 2016 Maury County Imagination Library Program to purchase books for registered children from birth to their fifth birthday.
- South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance Inc. – Funding will be used to fill a part time Career Camp Liaison position. The liaison will help attract and encourage students to explore careers in technology and advanced manufacturing.
- TN CASA– Funds will support programs that train court-appointed volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children within Maury County.
- TN Environmental Council– Funds will be used to support a new rain garden installation, continued maintenance and restoration activities engaging local schools and the Boys & Girls Club of Maury County.
“Our commitment to the Spring Hill community runs deep,” said Lori Wingerter, vice president, GM Foundation. “While building cars that people love is why we’re here, the Community Grants Program empowers our neighbors and fosters sustainable change in the community.”
This year, the GM Community Grants program will provide nearly $2 million in funding to hundreds of organizations in 47 communities where GM employees live and work. Through these community grants, GM is building stronger communities and enriching the lives of its neighbors.
With GM as the festival’s title sponsor, its partners, Safe Kids Worldwide will also be there to provide car seat and booster seat demonstrations and introduce Teens in Car’s interactive display with the new 2016 Chevrolet Malibu.
About the GM Foundation
Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, the Environment and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.
