(December 25, 2013) DETROIT — From making kimchee in South Korea to collecting toys in Texas, General Motors’ Global Manufacturing, Warehousing & Distribution teams and union partners are helping meet critical needs and brighten holidays in the communities where they live and work.

Whether it is Toys for Tots, Angel or Solidarity Trees, manufacturing teams in Mexico, Hungary, Spain, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Canada and the U.S. are working with local charities to provide gifts to children of all ages. Nearly $400,000 raised in 80 activities is being used to provide a gift to more than 40,000 of GM’s global neighbors.  

At GM’s Arlington Assembly plant in Texas a yearlong collection of toys, games and books by UAW Local 276 and the GM Arlington team filled the plant’s hallways by early December. The $108,000 bounty was loaded in three 18-wheeler trucks for delivery to Mission Arlington and the 8,000 families it supports.

“The partnership and care GM Arlington Assembly employees provide to Mission Arlington and the children we help is invaluable,” said Tilly Burgin, executive director, Mission Arlington.

The Sao Jose dos Campos plant, along with other manufacturing facilities in Brazil, provided toys and hygiene products in blue nylon bags. In total, 3,000 children received gifts from GM do Brazil manufacturing employees.

“We couldn’t meet the needs of our local families without them.”

The Vauxhall teams at GM’s Ellesmere Port and Luton facilities in England gathered food, clothing and hygiene products in baskets and donated to the elderly on limited incomes. GM de Mexico teams collected clothing, coats and blankets to help keep hundreds of people warm during the winter months.

In other communities, GM’s manufacturing teams are meeting the basic needs of their friends and neighbors:

    • The GM Korea Employee Foundation, including 350 employees, along with family members, union and supplier partners, produced 12 tons of kimchee for 65 local social welfare organizations. A staple for the Korean diet, kimchee is made from fermented vegetables and was prepared by volunteers in long assembly lines. This year’s donated supply is expected to feed 400 people.

GM Korea Labor Union Chairman John Hwan Jeong and GM Korea President and CEO Sergio Rocha were among the more than 350 employees, family members, union and supplier partners that made more than 12 tons of kimchi for 400 neighbors in need.

    • In Poland, employees of the Opel Gliwice plant are refurbishing two group homes in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The homes are part of the Association of St. Brother Albert and will shelter approximately 70 men and 30 single-parent families.

    • Baltimore Assembly and UAW Local 239 team held a fundraising challenge that resulted in a $4,500 contribution to support the area’s homeless. One very generous Baltimore Operations’ team member and his family matched that amount, bringing the grand total to $9,000 – or enough to house a family for one year at The Harford Family Home in Baltimore, Md.

“GM employees put their hearts into their work and their communities around the world,” said Tim Lee, executive vice president of Global Manufacturing and chairman of GM China.  “Their personal donations of time and talent are driving a better tomorrow in all of our plant cities.”

While most of the activities taking place in December are intended to help brighten the holidays, GM’s manufacturing teams and unions daily address the most pressing issues facing their communities.

In the last year, GM's Global Manufacturing teams have led more than 700 activities and donated millions to support their neighbors. Their efforts make GM plant communities safer, smarter and healthier through initiatives that support public, product and workplace safety, education and economic, environmental and community health issues.

Top photo: GM Manufacturing employees in Venezuela collected gifts for seven local institutions serving community members in need.