GM Foundation Donates 3 Vans to SE Michigan United Way

Saturn Relays equipped with Sit-N-Lift Technology and OnStar

DETROIT - For the third year, General Motors Foundation has donated three Sit-N-Lift equipped Saturn Relay sport vans to United Way for Southeastern Michigan. GM's exclusive Sit-N-Lift feature provides a fully motorized lift-and-lower passenger seat to help people with limited mobility get in and out of the vehicle with greater ease.

Jill Lajdziak, general manager, Saturn, gave the keys to Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan at a ceremony held today at Saturn of Warren. The vans were presented by Brennan to three nonprofit agencies serving individuals in metro Detroit: Black Family Development, in Detroit; Oakland Family Services, in Pontiac; and Turning Point, Inc., in Mt. Clemens.

"The ongoing commitment of General Motors and the GM Foundation to helping individuals in southeast Michigan is evident by their generosity in donating these vehicles," said Brennan. "With the Sit-N-Lift feature, GM provides a greater sense of independence and is making a difference in people's lives every day."

The vans will be used by agencies to transport senior citizens and others to doctor's appointments, recreational activities, childcare, and other necessary daily activities.

"We are thrilled to have such generous support from the community," said Suzanne Coats, executive director, Turning Point, Inc. "The Sit-N-Lift feature of the van will help us to provide safe transportation to the families that we serve including individuals who are disabled."

GM is the only automotive manufacturer in the United States to offer a fully motorized, rotating lift-and-lower passenger seat to help people stay on the move. Sit-N-Lift provides convenient access to the right-hand second row seating area. Operated by a handheld remote control, the power bucket seat rotates, then extends out of the vehicle and lowers for easy entry and exit.

GM is donating seven Chevrolet Uplander and Saturn Relay vans to United Way communities where the company has operations. These cities include metro Detroit, Atlanta, Ga., Buffalo, N.Y., Janesville, Wis., and Lansing, Mich.

"These donations further strengthen General Motors' longstanding partnership with the United Way and highlight GM's commitment to improving mobility in the communities we touch," said Erin Kreis of the GM Foundation. "This is a great way to pair the United Way's needs with the capability of GM vehicles."

The dealer-installed Sit-N-Lift seat is available on GM's full line of crossover sports vans, including: Buick Terraza, Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Montana SV6, and Saturn Relay. The system can also be installed on 2001-2005 extended-wheelbase models of the Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana and Oldsmobile Silhouette vans. The Sit-N-Lift feature was installed on the vans donated to United Way by Saturn of Warren.

The donated vans will also come with three years of complimentary OnStar coverage. Because GM recognizes the special safety concerns of people with limited mobility, the company extends the OnStar safety and security package for every sport van customer who purchases Sit-N-Lift or has a van fitted with eligible aftermarket mobility equipment.