By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
Five local organizations, which provide a range of services from environmental to empowerment of girls, were selected to receive a total of $25,000 from the GM Community Grants program funded by the GM Foundation.
“This is not only where our employees come to work each day, it is where our families, friends and neighbors live,” said GM Components Assistant Plant Manager Michael Skilling, who made the announcement during the Metro Cruise opening ceremonies on Saturday. GM Components Holdings LLC is located at 2100 Burlingame Ave. SW.
The GM Foundation is providing $2 million to more than 180 organizations in 47 communities where GM employees live and work. One of the five local organizations to receive a grant was the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance.
“This is the fourth time we have received this from GM and its speaks of their commitment to the community,” said Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody who along with Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll accepted the $5,000 check for the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance.
The money will be used to help fund scholarships for youth and families to participate in health, wellness, and recreational activities; public safety initiatives including National Night Out festivities and support and advocating for citizen-driven committees and organizations including Pinery Park Little League, the Community Enrichment Commission and neighborhood associations.
“Most of the stuff we do is really interesting in that 100 percent of the donations/contributions that come to the Alliance go back out,” Carmody said. “So there is no administrative costs and that’s a great benefit to the people here, especially to the local community which is our focus.”
Poll added that the Alliance has had a number of people from the city step up to volunteer and commit time to make Wyoming a good place to live and work.
“They are very good neighbors,” Poll said of the donation from GM Foundation.
These following groups also each received $5,000 each from the GM Community Grants program:
Feeding America – West Michigan Food Bank, which supports four School Mobile Pantries, feeding more than 1,200 families over a four-month period. “At Parkview Elementary, less than a mile from the GM facility, the School Mobile Pantry distributes 7,500 pounds of fresh produce, dairy products, and grains directly to individuals in need,” Skilling said.
Finish the Mission Veterans Relief Fund, which has the goal to make West Michigan the most Veteran Friendly community in the nation, will use the money to help local veterans in need and with ongoing capital improvement projects at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.
West Michigan Environmental Action Council will be using the funds to support “Teach for the Watershed” at Godfrey-Lee Elementary School. This program gives all fourth graders the hands-on opportunity to learn about their watershed, storm water contamination and what they can do to prevent pollution. Skilling noted that mentors from GM volunteer to help students make a connection between science and science-based careers. The funds also will support WMEAC’s Annual Mayors’ Grand River Clean Up.
YWCA – Grand Rapids provides prevention and empowerment services for women and girls. The grant will be used to provide girls with experiences that develop their awareness and engagement in their community, all while supporting their individual and collective power to become the next generation of leaders.
