United Way for Southeastern Michigan wraps 2014-2016 community giving Campaign with nearly $90 million raised
Outgoing Campaign Chair and GM president Dan Ammann makes good on promise, ensuring funds for UWSEM's work around childhood nutrition and student access to a quality education.
DETROIT, April 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- General Motors President Dan Ammann concludes his two-year chairmanship of United Way for Southeastern Michigan's (UWSEM) 2014-2016 Community Giving Campaign with nearly $90 million raised. With support from Ammann's cabinet, the funds from individuals and organizations will be used to expand efforts throughout greater Detroit around childhood nutrition with programs like Meet Up and Eat Up, and student's access to quality education from preschool to high school and beyond with programs like Bib to Backpack and College and Career Pathways.
Ammann's successor is Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne, who will chair UWSEM's 2016-2018 campaign.
"Although my time as campaign chair ends, the respect that I have for this long-standing organization and its network of community partners, volunteers, donors and staff will not end," Ammann says of the campaign he led. "Thanks to the hard work of the cabinet members, United Way will continue helping people in need and making Greater Detroit a better place to live and work."
During the 2014-2016 campaign cycle, UWSEM experienced a number of wins including more than 48,000 children, families and caregivers who accessed Bib to Backpack resources; 3.38 million nutritious meals served to children at Meet Up and Eat Up sites; and achievement of an aggregate 80 percent graduation rate for students in GM Foundation's Network of Excellence schools. The added boost from UWSEM's Community Giving Campaign will help the nonprofit expand upon its work.
Some of UWSEM's immediate goals are evaluating, replicating and scaling its Bib to Backpack program to reach even more families. The organization will also explore ways to enhance the Meet Up and Eat Up program to include health enrichment activities like nutrition education and physical activities. The high school work will be enriched to help students reach academic and career milestones through collaborative partnerships and strategies.
"The success of the community giving campaign is a testament to the generosity of this community," says Herman Gray, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. "It is also a testament to the value of this organization and its ability to attract leaders like Dan, who volunteer their time and talent to support the organization's mission. We are grateful to Dan for his leadership, and to all who donated to the campaign under his stewardship."
United Way for Southeastern Michigan celebrated the campaign accomplishments of Ammann and his cabinet during an invitation-only event at the General Motors Heritage Center on Wednesday, April 20.
General Motors is a long-time supporter of United Way's educational efforts. Its landmark grant of $27.1 million to United Way for Southeastern Michigan pledged in 2010 created the "GM Network of Excellence" in seven Detroit-area high schools. The grant, which ends in June, provided necessary resources to help the schools reach their goal of increasing graduation rates from 60 to 80 percent.
About United Way for Southeastern Michigan
United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) mobilizes the caring power of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through volunteerism, advocacy, and its annual campaign. UWSEM is a leader in convening partners to achieve positive outcomes around our three impact areas: Childhood Nutrition, Early Childhood Development, and College and Career Pathways. For more information visit www.LiveUnitedSEM.org.
About General Motors Company
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.
SOURCE United Way for Southeastern Michigan
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