GREATER ESSEX COUNTY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Stellantis Employees and Retirees Celebrate Back to School with Largest Donation Pledge

On Tuesday, October 15th, Stellantis announced an employee donation of $746,756.24 to the United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent 2024 campaign. The donation was presented on behalf of the Company by Dave Bellaire, Windsor Assembly Plant Manager at General Brock Public School in Windsor, a participating school in the United Way's Ignite Academy program.

The event also included the made-in-Windsor, award-winning Chrysler Pacifica as part of the donation reveal and cheque presentation. The vehicles were filled with new school supplies and athletic equipment that were handed out to school children on site.

Once again, this marks the largest donation for the United Way in the Windsor-Essex community this past year and help continuous investment in youth mentoring, plus in-person and online out-of-school programming in priority neighbourhoods. This includes technology for school-aged children, online academic supports, mental health counselling, and the food bank network which helps to distribute food to thousands of people in Windsor-Essex County.

"Our employees repeatedly serve as champions within our local community through their overwhelming generosity by giving back to those less fortunate and I could not be more appreciative of their efforts," said Jeff Hines, Canada president and CEO. "With a focus on education, Stellantis and our partners at the United Way share a common goal in providing today's youth with the skills and knowledge as a foundation for future success, and it would not be possible without this donation."

"At Local 444, we're committed to helping our members and the community. Supporting initiatives like the United Way ensures vital funds stay right here in Windsor-Essex," said James Stewart, president, Unifor Local 444. "Local 444 believes in the strength of teamwork, and this is another example where the collective generosity from our members year-after-year ensures the proper resources are available for those in need. Together we grow stronger."

"We are deeply grateful to Stellantis and Unifor 444, 195, 1498 for being such dedicated and long-time partners in our mission to improve the lives of those in our community," said Lorraine Goddard, CEO United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent. "Their unwavering commitment to making a difference and recognizing the transformative power of education in breaking the cycle of poverty is truly inspiring. Together, we are not just creating opportunities but changing lives in Windsor-Essex, and we couldn't ask for a more caring and compassionate partner on this journey."

"The support from Stellantis and Unifor means so much more than educational assistance for our students at General Brock and Begley Public Schools it's an investment in the well-being of entire families," said Vicki Houston, Director of Education, Greater Essex County District School Board. "With programs like Ignite Academy, we can offer our students opportunities that inspire academic growth while also providing families with the stability and resources needed to build a stronger, more resilient community."

United Way-funded programs for 2024 calendar year

Donations provided by Stellantis and its employees in the local area will support the United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent education-focused programs that support youth throughout their formal schooling years.

United Way's On Track To Success program offers supports that wrap around a family and help youth graduate high school and go on to post-secondary education - students receive mentoring, tutoring, career learning opportunities and financial assistance to attend post-secondary programs to name a few.

For younger students, Ignite Academy, the first community-designed solution, aims to bolster literacy and math competencies.This program operates after school four days a week, targeting students from grades 2-7. The participating schools are in priority neighbourhoods with the highest rates of childhood poverty.

100% of donations to United Way stays right here in Windsor-Essex County and helps create a stronger community, for all of us, for the future by helping local kids on a path to success in school and life.