GM Foundation, Chevrolet Help Expand 9/11 Heroes Run

NEW YORK, July 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation nears the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the General Motors Foundation and Chevrolet today donated $250,000 to the Travis Manion Foundation to help grow participation around the country in the 9/11 Heroes Run.

The 9/11 Heroes Run will bring communities together in more than 25 U.S. cities to honor military, police, firefighters and first responders who have given their lives to protect and save others. Proceeds from the 5K races will go to the families of fallen heroes.

The Manion family formed the foundation in 2007 after Marine 1st Lt. Travis Manion was killed by sniper fire while defending against an enemy ambush during a patrol mission in Fallujah, Iraq. In an unusual move, the Iraqis named their operating base Combat Outpost Manion, one of few Iraqi facilities named for an American service member.

Before leaving for his last tour, Manion visited Rescue One in New York City, the First Responder unit that lost more than half its members helping others following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"After a day of sharing their experiences with Travis, he came home even more inspired to serve our country," said his mother Janet Manion. "He gave his father a Rescue One hat that read 'Never Forget' and asked that his father wear it while he was gone. That's why we started the 9/11 Heroes Run four years ago... to honor and remember."

In addition to the 9/11 Heroes Run, the foundation operates the Character Does Matter Leadership Program, programs to Honor the Fallen, and funds Good Grief seminars, scholarships and community service projects that benefit U.S. veterans and families of the fallen.

"We hold our nation's military personnel and their families in the highest regard, and it's our honor to support the families of our fallen heroes," said GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson. "I'm personally honored to know the Manion family and to be associated with such a worthwhile endeavor in Travis' name and memory."

Manion, whose father was also a Marine, excelled in the classroom and as an athlete at the Naval Academy, winning several leadership awards and being a nationally ranked wrestler. He was also awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star with Valor for his actions in Iraq.  Manion Hall at the Basic School in Quantico, Va., is named after Travis and stands as a reminder to future generations of Marine officers of his leadership on and off the battlefield.

Chevrolet is the official pace vehicle of the 9/11 Heroes Run, the brand's latest support for military families. Chevrolet's longstanding commitment includes the GM Military Discount program which provided more than 70,000 discounts in 2010 to military personnel and their families with a cumulative value of more than $60 million.

Those who want to volunteer or register to participate in one of the runs can learn more here.  

About the Travis Manion Foundation

Not long after Travis was killed by enemy sniper fire in Iraq, checks in his memory began appearing at the Manion's home. In lieu of flowers, checks from all over the country and the world soon amounted to more than $100,000 and Tom and Janet vowed to give every penny to worthy causes.  The year following Travis' death, the newly formed Travis Manion Foundation presented $180,000 in scholarships, $85,000 to Fellowships for wounded and disabled veterans through The Mission Continues, and more than $45,000 for Good Grief seminars to help families of the fallen. Today, the Foundation operates three major programs that Honor the Fallen by Challenging the Living through a Character Does Matter Leadership program, a program that Honors the Fallen, and the 9/11 Heroes Run each September 11th – while still funding Good Grief seminars, scholarships, and community service projects that benefit our Nation's veterans and Families of the Fallen.

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly to gas-free" solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com

About the GM Foundation
Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to deserving American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy 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/corporate/responsibility/community.

SOURCE General Motors