TTC Receives Lowe's Charitable & Educational Foundation Grant

Tennessee Technology Center at Oneida/Huntsville
News Release
Week of 3-12-12                                                                   

TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGY CENTER AT ONEIDA/HUNTSVILLE RECEIVES GRANT FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation funds students’ good works

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to Tennessee Technology Center at Oneida/Huntsville to be used on a special needs playground. This is one of only four 2012 SkillsUSA Community Improvement Grants awarded to technology centers in Tennessee.

Tennessee Technology Center at Oneida/Huntsville SkillsUSA students will use this grant to assist in the construction of the “Play with no Boundaries” playground community project. The TTCOH students read about this project and decided they should become involved to assist in making this dream a reality. The playground will provide a safe place for adults and children with physical limitations to enjoy outdoor fun with their parents, siblings, and friends. Amy Martin, the person with the vision for this project, now has the TTCOH along with Scott County Government, Oneida City Government, and several local organizations partnering to support this project. The SkillsUSA students in the Business Systems Technology, Collision Repair Technology, Machine Tool Technology, and Welding programs will all be assisting in the assembly, construction, and installation of the project. Lindsey Newport, TTCOH Student Government Association President states, “I am personally committed to volunteer my time to assure “Play with no Boundaries” becomes a reality. I am excited that our SkillsUSA chapter is being involved with such a worthwhile project.”

“This grant represents Lowe’s commitment to career and technical education,” said Marshall Croom, chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation.  “By supporting schools likeTennessee Technology Center at Oneida/Huntsville, we believe we are contributing to a cause that’s important to our customers and employees by helping provide improved learning environments and build stronger communities.”

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization of students, teachers and industry, working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. SkillsUSA helps high school and college students enrolled in career and technical education programs to excel by teaching employability skills such as communication, problem solving and leadership in conjunction with their trade, technical and service occupations skills. The association’s annual membership exceeds 300,000 students and instructors in more than 3,800 schools and colleges in every state, three territories and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.skillsusa.org.

Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. The company’s signature education grant program, Lowe’s Toolbox for Education^®, has donated nearly $5 million in grants to K-12 public schools every year since its inception in 2006. Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross. In 2010, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.  To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility.

Picture caption: Tennessee Technology Center at Oneida/Huntsville was awarded one of four 2012 SkillsUSA Community Improvement Grants received by technology centers in Tennessee. TTC at Oneida/Huntsville SkillsUSA students will use this grant to assist in the “Play with no Boundaries” playground community project. Pictured with the $10,000 Lowe’s Community Grant check are TTCOH instructors that will be involved in the project—Wayne Todd, Collision Repair Technology instructor; Chris Chambers, Welding instructor;  Jared Terry, Machine Tool Technology instructor;  and Janet Watson, Business Systems Technology instructor--  SkillsUSA students, Amy Martin  playground visionary and son Joseph, Lindsey Newport, TTCOH Student Government Association President, and Lowe’s of LaFollette Human Resource Manager Kim Middleton and Store Manager David Williams.