General Motors Plant raises over $25,000 to Fight Breast Cancer

Buffalo, N.Y. October 11, 2003; "I have never before seen such enthusiasm and dedication to a cause," said Tonawanda engine plant production manager, Lewis Campbell, in his speech at the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk," held Sunday in downtown Buffalo.

Instead of having the same people volunteer each year to help raise money, they worked within the organization's structure to get every employee involved.

UAW Local 774 leadership and GM management teamed to kick off a challenge to employees - get 600 employees to walk in the event and raise $16,000. With a point person for every product line and functional area, as well as retired employees, teams were given the opportunity to be as creative as they wanted, and they had permission to "overachieve."

Internally, employees had bake sales, sold fish bowls, sold donated coffee and donuts, had challenges between departments and salaried employees were given the option to pay five dollars to wear jeans for a day. This was followed by a plant-wide gate collection.

In addition, as employees encouraged their families and friends to participate in the walk, many of them got sponsors and raised even more money. Quality Supervisor Mike Casella and his wife Mary collected $222.00 as they talked up the event to neighbors and Mary's coworkers. "This is just one example of how our employees took it upon themselves to participate in an event that included their families and benefited the community," stated Lewis Campbell.

"We are proud to say that our employees did indeed "overachieve" our goals. We had 840 walkers and volunteers and raised over $25,000," declared both UAW president Jim Kennedy and Campbell.

Campbell added, "We're grateful for the tremendous support from the American Cancer Society, who has been by our side every step of the way. We also had a great deal of participation from suppliers such as EDS, Aramark and the Washington Group."

"The employees of GM Powertrain Tonawanda engine plant recognize how this disease has the potential of touching every one of us. While we won't be the ones to come up with a cure for breast cancer, we can certainly donate money to further research," said Kennedy.

GM Powertrain is a global producer of engines, transmissions, castings and components for GM vehicles and other automotive, marine, and industrial OEMs. Headquartered in Pontiac, GM Powertrain has operating and coordinating responsibility for General Motors powertrain manufacturing plants and engineering centers in North America, South America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.