More than 500 children in southeast Michigan enjoyed a merrier holiday season thanks to the men and women of Orion Assembly and Local 5960.
GM and Orion have been going through some rough times lately,? said Ken Mohre, Orion Assistant Plant Manager. ‘But in this tough economic time, our employees continue to celebrate the true spirit of the holiday season by helping out wherever and whenever they can.?
Over the last several weeks, employees have selected names from among the 500 that were provided for this year’s Angel Tree and went shopping to fulfill that child’s wish list.
Presents were purchased for every child on the tree. Last year, employees bought presents for 300 children.
‘I am both proud and humbled by the continued generosity of the men and women of Local 5960 and Orion Assembly, even in light of their own economic uncertainty,? said Mike Dunn, Chairman, Local 5960. ‘You simply will not find a more giving or caring group of people.?
The presents were shared among three agencies–the Lighthouse of Oakland County, Oakland/Livingston County Human Services, and the Shelter of Flint.
Over the past year, Orion workers also have given their time and money to help many others less fortunate. This includes blood drives held for the American
Red Cross and collections at plant entrances for various charities. This year workers also raised $17,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This is the most ever donated from Orion Assembly and Local 5960.
‘Throughout the plant’s 25-year history, workers always rise to meet the needs of those experiencing a rocky time,? said Dunn. ‘That’s just the way this team is.?
The plant also supports many local educational events, such as A World in Motion and the First Lego League Robotics Competition, which helps to introduce elementary school students to math, science and engineering projects taught by employees from the plant.
Workers at GM’s Orion Assembly build the award-winning Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 cars. This year, employees will assemble more than 250,000 of these cars. In 2008, GM’s Orion Assembly paid approximately $6 million in property taxes.
~John Counts