The General Motors Tonawanda engine plant rang in its 80th birthday with a sizable donation to local charities. The plant donated $80,000 to local charities to celebrate the milestone.
The Buffalo News reported last Friday that the plant offered up $80,000 in grants total. United Way of Buffalo and Erie County received $20,000, and six other organizations received a $10,000 payment. The organizations are: Western New York STEMHub, Willie Hutch Jones Educational and Sports Program, Boys and Girls Club of the Northtowns, Buffalo Urban League, Junior Achievement and Every Person Influences Children.
Tonawanda is responsible for building a host of GM engines, but most recently began producing the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado’s 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8 engines. The plant’s most recent investment of $296 million saw 857 jobs secured and the creation of 67 new positions.
Comments
Why do companies feel the need to do this? What good does this do for the company? This 80k donation will not guarantee one more car or truck sale, will not make the stock price of a company go up, or make people of the community feel better about that company.
Now 80k split between 900 workers is about $100.00 I’d much rather have a extra $100 bucks for the weekend to take my family out then watch that money go to organizations that dont really care about GM.
Some of that money gifted was in the form of STEM grants. Guess who needs workers with those skills?
Imagine for a minute if no one gave to charities, Brian. What would the city of Tonawanda, in this case, look like if those that were in need couldn’t get access to a better education, or assistance following an emergency? I bet it wouldn’t be a great place to live and work.
How would you feel if you or someone you know were in need and those with money to spare looked the other way? What would that say about our society?
Reggie that’s a question you probably shouldn’t ask a person like me! The extra money should be given to the workers at that plant or place of work! They are the ones that earned it, on the other hand money that is handed out to charities is not earned by the people who receive it.
How would I feel? I would feel bad for the workers who deserve a nice bonus for their hard work. Instead of watching that 80k go to people that wont help the business grow.
You have to ask yourself what is GM getting out of this except good press? Will one more car or truck get sold because of this? My answer is no, maybe I am wrong. But in my opinion if I am right then I see zero reason to give these funds to any organization.
What would the people do in the city? They would do what regular people do everyday find a way to make it on their own. Like good honest respectfu people!
Please answer the questions I present.
Hi Brian. I will try to answer your questions briefly as you asked.
Q: “You have to ask yourself what is GM getting out of this except good press? Will one more car or truck get sold because of this?”
A: You said it yourself, they’re getting PR out of it. That good will may translate to sales down the road or it may not, but it certainly won’t hurt them. They’re also able to deduct a percentage of their charitable contributions to reduce their taxes.
Q: “What would the people do in the city? They would do what regular people do everyday find a way to make it on their own. Like good honest respectfu[l] people!”
A: I respect that you’re a hard worker, but sometimes even good, honest, regular, hardworking people suffer misfortune. Most regular people live paycheck to paycheck and, according to what I’ve read, can’t afford even a $500 emergency. These same people suffer illnesses, have accidents, lose loved ones, etc. Sometimes regular people have a safety net, savings, or people they know that can help them get past their setbacks; sometimes people don’t and charities are their only option.
According to the article, a large chunk of the money GM donated is going to charities that serve children. Thanks to these charities and the generosity of others, children who might not be able to make it on their own are getting an opportunity to grow into productive, regular people someday–maybe even regular GM workers.
I can’t speak for today’s hourly GM employees, but I’m sure many are afforded bonuses as well as discounts on GM cars and trucks.
$80k is a lot of money to most regular people, but to a company like GM it’s nothing. They pay many times that to employees not to even show up for work. I can’t speak for GM’s hourly employees, but I’m sure many are afforded bonuses as well as discounts on GM cars and trucks.
Pardon my poor cutting and pasting skills in the last two paragraphs. I would edit my comment if I could.
I am glad you think this good press like this is important, I am one to believe that it doesn’t. I dont believe donations like this do one bit of good in promoting GM’s business. I dont think this sways the customer one bit in their determination of what kind of car or truck they are going to buy.
I just dont see where the benefit in doing this. You say 80k is not alot of money for a company. 80k could be used to throw one hell of a party for the company’s employees. That would do more to promote the business of GM. Improve the moral of the employees instead of giving the money away to the public.
As for the tax write off, GM gets plenty of tax breaks. I would have more respect for GM if they took this money and reinvested it into their employees instead of people in the community.
I heard a report years ago that a large department store offered their salespeople free management training a couple of nights a week after work. This was quite an opportunity that offered a large increase in pay, but only a minute percentage of salespeople took it.
Many people are like that. They’re content to punch that time card or collect a check at the end of the week, overstating their own importance, fooling themselves that they’re not easily replaceable, not realizing how lucky they are to have that job in the first place.
I’ve been there myself. I can remember a couple of work parties from a LONG time ago that were really something. I really mean that. But ultimately they didn’t make me work one bit harder. I just really looked forward to them. Same thing with the bonuses I received later on: I just came to expect them at the end of the year. (Let me tell you, I was not happy one year when my bonus got smaller.)
I ultimately realized the error of my ways, as I thankfully do sooner or later with most things, and went on to bigger and better things. But I could’ve easily coasted by, with my goals and expectations low like those department store salespeople. I might even be better off today in some respects, I don’t know.
My point is, parties and stuff are great. But I think you’re overstating their importance. Maybe you’re not, but I think you would at least agree that there’s a time and a place for them.
Sometimes the less fortunate don’t know any better and bring about their own problems, this is true. Many times though it’s good “regular” people that seem to suffer the worst luck, while the worst kinds of people rise to the top.
I don’t think the fortunate in our world are any better than those that are less fortunate. They’re just more fortunate. Imagine how those that were less fortunate might behave if they had no hope. Some of them might come after you!
I understand if you want to hang on to your hard earned money. So do I. But sometimes I have to tell you, it feels really good helping someone that you know really needs it. Sometimes doing so restores my hope that the world isn’t just coming apart at the seams and/or that the world can be a better place.
You don’t have to give away your money, either. Maybe you just hold a door open for an old lady, or set a good example for a young person. As they say, small things can add up to big changes.
I guess we just disagree on this topic.
That’s alright. It was nice chatting with you.
Good to American workers doing well . Good to see American factories busy.