United Way will use funds to help residents access clean water
FLINT, Mich. – The General Motors Foundation is donating $50,000 to the United Way of Genesee County to purchase water filters for residents in the city of Flint.
The donation is part of an initiative by the United Way to fund the distribution of filters that are capable of removing contaminants from water Flint residents use for drinking and cooking.
“Giving back to our communities is more than investing in our facilities; it involves helping to improve the quality of life for those who live in our plant cities,” said Cathy Clegg, GM North American Manufacturing and Labor Relations vice president. “The United Way is a long-time GM partner and is well positioned in the Flint area to help the residents most in need.”
The donation comes as individuals, community groups and government agencies are banding together to provide Flint residents access to clean water.
Cindy Estrada, UAW vice president and director of the union’s GM Department, worked with Clegg to secure the $50,000 grant from the GM Foundation. The UAW was also involved in initial efforts to get bottled water into the community.
“The UAW has a proud history of helping workers and their families, but we also take great pride in assisting people in our communities,” Estrada said. “Together with the United Way of Genesee County, GM and the GM Foundation, we hope residents are able to access clean water for their families.”
The $50,000 donation is the latest grant from the GM Foundation to a Flint-area non-profit. Earlier this year, the GM Foundation donated $70,000 to the United Way of Genesee County to support educational initiatives in the Flint area. The GM Foundation also donated $60,000 to local non-profits to support initiatives ranging from environmental outreach to youth programs.
In addition to supporting local non-profits, the GM Foundation also donated $400,000 and committed an additional $1.6 million by 2019 to Kettering University to create The GM Foundation Automotive Research Area, where students will test vehicles on different test tracks. At the same time, GM donated $2 million to Kettering to create the GM Advanced Powertrain Research Lab.
About General Motors in Flint
GM employs more than 7,000 employees in the Flint area. The company operates the Flint Assembly, Flint Metal Center, Flint Engine Operations and Flint North American Tooling Center. GM’s Customer Care and Aftersales is headquartered in Grand Blanc and CCA processing centers are located in Burton and Swartz Creek.
About the General Motors 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.
