Mercedes-Benz USA Donates Trees To Camp Southern Ground
ATLANTA, Aug. 24, 2016 -- When Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) begins construction on their new U.S. headquarters in Sandy Springs, Georgia, they will be donating trees from the site to Camp Southern Ground, the passion-project of Grammy-award winning artist, Zac Brown.
Camp Southern Ground is located on over 400 acres in Fayetteville, Georgia, and the trees will be transported courtesy of Skanska Building USA and repurposed into building materials for the non-profit campus.
Inspired by his own experience as a camp counselor, Zac's vision is to create a state-of-the-art facility that is more than the typical camp experience. Camp Southern Ground will have activities to challenge, educate and inspire campers, with a special emphasis on children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning and attention issues, social or emotional challenges, and those with family members serving in the military.
As MBUSA works toward the prestigious LEED environmental standard for the new headquarters, they took an early interest in what to do with the trees on the property, rather than simply having them carted away. After consultation with experts, it was determined that the property was overgrown with invasive species and had few trees worth relocating. That's where the opportunity to work with Camp Southern Ground was approached.
"We're ready to start clearing the site for our new headquarters and we're pleased to know that the trees will be put to good use," said Dietmar Exler, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. "We look forward to building on this innovative partnership with Camp Southern Ground."
With MBUSA having access to a large supply of useable lumber, they found a partner in Camp Southern Ground who was looking for building materials for its growing campus. Earlier this month, while walking the future headquarters site together, Dietmar Exler was able to show Mike Dobbs what trees would be making their way to Camp Southern Ground.
"We are very excited to have Mercedes-Benz as a partner of Camp Southern Ground on so many fronts. Whether it is donating trees from their new building site to be used for making camp furniture, having employees volunteer to help at camp, or directing financial resources to support camp, we could not be more pleased to be associated with such a great brand and great people that share our heart and mission for helping children," said Mike Dobbs, President and CEO of Camp Southern Ground.
Camp Southern Ground is excited to welcome Mercedes-Benz to their new U.S. headquarters here in Georgia, and is thrilled by their donation and support for the organization.
ABOUT CAMP SOUTHERN GROUND
Mission-driven, Camp Southern Ground offers children a world-class campus in a beautiful natural setting, with groundbreaking programs that inspire children to magnify their gifts, enhance their perspectives of self, empower them to overcome limitations, and spread love to impact their world. With state-of-the-art buildings and outdoor spaces, Camp Southern Ground is a one-of-a-kind place of learning and growth designed with children of diverse abilities and skill sets in mind, and will become a timeless institution that is the cornerstone of research and innovation. Camp Southern Ground is registered non-profit, 501(c)(3)
SOURCE Southern Ground
CONTACT: Alyssa Goodman, alyssa@southernground.com, 586.567.0136, CampSouthernGround.org
RELATED LINKShttp://CampSouthernGround.org
