CONCORD, N.C. -- The Jimmie Johnson Foundation announced today that 10 schools will receive approximately $550,000 in Champions Grants this year in partnership with Lowe's Toolbox for Education. The grants are awarded annually to K-12 public and charter schools in and around the hometowns of six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson and his wife Chandra — San Diego and El Cajon, California, and Muskogee, Oklahoma, as well as their current residence in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“This year’s applications were very impressive,” Johnson said. “We are honored to be able to fund so many innovative and exciting projects in our hometowns and here in the Charlotte area. We can’t wait to see them through to completion.”
Chandra, Jimmie and representatives from partner Lowe’s spent time this morning hearing from students and staff from the six local grant recipients about their projects and the anticipated impact on their school community. In addition to these six schools, four others from Muskogee and the San Diego area have been selected to receive grants.
“The Champions Grant program impacts thousands of students each year,” said Chandra Johnson. “Hearing from some of them this morning about what a difference the grants will make in their education was really special. It is a pleasure to continue to do our part to support public education.”
This year, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation/Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Champions Grant awards included $341,001 toward science and technology, $113,948 toward literacy initiatives, $52,434 for health and fitness activities, $27,964 toward arts programs and $13,600 toward school improvement projects.
This year's Champions Grants were awarded to the following schools:
North Carolina
· C.C. Griffin Middle School (Concord, North Carolina)
· Charles E. Boger Elementary School (Kannapolis, North Carolina)
· Crown Point Elementary School (Charlotte, North Carolina)
· Harding University High School (Charlotte, North Carolina)
· Independence High School (Charlotte, North Carolina)
· University Park Creative Arts Elementary School (Charlotte, North Carolina)
California
· Lexington Elementary School (El Cajon, California)
· Mira Mesa High School (San Diego)
Oklahoma
· Hilldale Public Schools (Muskogee, Oklahoma)
· Rougher Alternative Academy (Muskogee, Oklahoma)
More than $4.2 million has been contributed through the Champions Grant program since 2009.
To see a detailed list of the 2015 Champions Grant projects, please visit www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org.