Nearly 800 local General Electric (NYSE:GE) employees are volunteering
their time today to make a difference in the community during the 12th
Annual GE Community Day across the Chicagoland area.
During this day of service, GE volunteers will:
-
Clean up litter and help with vegetation and habitat management at
Carl Hansen Woods, part of Cook County Forest Preserves;
-
Painting, planting and outdoor improvements at Family Focus;
-
Complete emergency food packaging projects and salvage fruits and
vegetables at the Greater Chicago Food Depository;
-
Support thousands of athletes at the Special Olympics’ Spring
Games; and
-
Paint, beautify and fix Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center and
Health Center.
Over the past two years, GE employees have volunteered nearly 30,000
hours to the Chicago area and the company has issued over $13 million in
donations and matching gifts in Illinois. Most recently, the GE
Foundation made a $2.2 million grant to expand the City of Chicago’s
cardiovascular screening program. In honor of Community Day, GE will
issue the Special Olympics of Illinois a donation of $60,000.
"I applaud and commend GE and all the volunteers for their giving and
caring spirit," said Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. "Their
support and contribution to the Special Olympics and other local
non-profits reinforces the importance of corporate social
responsibility."
Chicago is home to the headquarters of four GE businesses and over the
past three years, GE has grown its employee base in Chicago by nearly
40%.
“Chicago is an important market for GE and we are committed to making a
difference in this community,” said Russell Stokes, President and CEO of
GE Transportation. “This event is just one example of how much our
employees care about the community they live and work in, and we are
proud to contribute to improving the lives of our neighbors in need.”
“I commend GE and its employees for their generous contributions,” added
Alderman Natashia Holmes of the 7th Ward. “GE sets a strong example for
other organizations by giving back to the community and improving the
quality of life for others.”
About GE
GE (NYSE:GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best
technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in
energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering,
moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For
more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
For local Chicago news on the Company, follow GE on Twitter at
@GEChicago. For news and updates on Community Day, use the hashtag
#GEChicago.
Copyright Business Wire 2014