Jimmie Johnson Foundation announces $600,000 in grants with Lowe’s Toolbox for Education
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - More than 6,600 students at 10 schools tuned in this morning to watch a video greeting from five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. Johnson announced that each school had been selected to receive a 2012 Jimmie Johnson Foundation/Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Champions Grant. The grants, which were awarded to schools in Chandra and Jimmie Johnson’s respective hometowns of Muskogee, Okla., and El Cajon, Calif., and where they currently reside in Charlotte, N.C., totaled nearly $600,000. This brings the contributions of the Champions Grant program to more than $2.6 million.
“Chandra and I are excited by the opportunity to impact thousands of children each year through the Champions Grant program,” said Jimmie Johnson, co-founder of the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. “It was amazing to see how the schools had such different needs, and they were all compelling. We are very proud to partner with our friends at Lowe’s to play a part in assisting K-12 public education through this program.”
Funded projects ranged from a digital fabrication lab to fitness labs to a complete performing arts stage restoration. Several schools also received technology grants to purchase new computers.
In addition to the video message, each grant recipient received a custom 2012 Jimmie Johnson Foundation/Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Champions Grant wallhauler to display. The wallhaulers, which are authentic aluminum race car doors, were provided by The Real Art of Racing.
“Jimmie and Chandra Johnson are great partners with Lowe’s as we support education together,” said Marshall Croom, chairman of the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “During a time of education budget cuts and significant funding needs, the grants will fulfill some very important programs for these schools.”
Grant awards included:
- Science and Technology - $100,696
- Fitness Programs - $164,046
- Trade Based Programs - $124,671
- Arts Programs - $140,509
- Language & Literacy Initiatives- $69,709
The 2012 Champions Grants were awarded to the following schools:
California
- Construction Tech Academy (San Diego, Calif.)
- Flying Hills Elementary School (El Cajon, Calif.)
- Santana High School (Santee, Calif.)
North Carolina
- A.T. Allen Elementary School (Concord, N.C.)
- Billingsville Elementary School (Charlotte, N.C.)
- KIPP: Charlotte (Charlotte, N.C.)
- Piedmont I.B. Middle School (Charlotte, N.C.)
Oklahoma
- Alice Robertson Junior High (Muskogee, Okla.)
- Creek Elementary School (Muskogee, Okla.)
- Irving Elementary School and Pershing Elementary School (Muskogee, Okla.)
To view Jimmie’s congratulations video, and to see a detailed list of the 2012 Champions Grant projects, please visit www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org.