PELL CITY – Honda Manufacturing of Alabama appears to collect chairs, and the Pell City Schools Educational Foundation Program is glad about it.The foundation presented HMA officials with a foundation chair Thursday after the local corporation donated $10,000 to the non-profit group.
“We appreciate such a strong corporate sponsor,” said foundation President Jason Goodgame. The presentation was held at Walter M. Kennedy Elementary School.
The Educational Foundation Program tries to enhance education in the Pell City School System.
“We are pleased to be a part of this community and to have a chance to support a group like this,” said Ray Perez, an attorney for HMA. “We’re real pleased to be able to support something like this.”
HMA is no stranger to educational donations and has assisted area schools in a number of ways.
“Education and the youth are priorities for us,” said Carolyn Harper, an administrator for HMA.
HMA has received three foundation chairs so far. The company was previously awarded foundation chairs from the Talladega County and city schools foundation organizations.
HMA is expected to receive another foundation chair at the end of the month from the St. Clair County Schools Foundation.
David Jackson, former treasurer of the Pell City Schools Educational Foundation Program, said interests earned from investments are used for academic grants or enrichment programs for the Pell City School System.
The foundation donates thousands of dollars for grant requests submitted by teachers for special student programs or curriculums.
“We want to encourage teachers and to help students,” Harper said. “Students are our future. They are the ones who are going to take care of us in the future.”
Harper said HMA helps school systems and schools in other ways, too.
“We get surplus equipment sometimes, like paper, light bulbs or fans,” Harper said. “Sometimes we canvass the schools to see if they need any of these items.”
Goodgame said he appreciates HMA being so generous to the educational foundation,, adding it is worthy of the donation.
“This is by far one of the best things I’m involved in,” Goodgame said.
He said the foundation keeps its overhead low, so money donated is used for improving the School System.
“Our system is strong, and we have something to be proud of,” Goodgame said.
Jackson said the event Thursday was the 33rd presentation since the educational foundation was established in 1992.
Since then, the foundation has awarded $184,381 in grants to teachers.
