As part of February’s philanthropic focus, Michigan-based General RV Center spotlighted its recent multiday volunteer project with Life Remodeled, a nonprofit with more than 5,000 volunteers working to revitalize neighborhoods throughout Detroit. Read below for the Q&A with RV PRO.
What was accomplished during this year’s event?
General RV Center joined the Detroit nonprofit for its annual multiday volunteer project to clean up blight and beautify neighborhoods throughout the city. This year’s project had more than 5,000 Life Remodeled volunteers working to create lasting revitalization, turning vacant properties into community hubs. Volunteers mowed lawns, raked leaves, cleared sidewalks, trimmed trees and bushes, picked up trash and cleaned up more than 500 vacant and residential lots over the six volunteer days.
How many General RV volunteers participated?
This is the second year General RV’s marketing department has participated in Life Remodeled. In 2023, General RV had 28 team members take part in the project. In 2022, 21 members of General RV’s marketing department took part. In addition to providing volunteers, we are also an event sponsor.
Why does the company choose to work with Life Remodeled?
More than 60 years ago, we opened our first location in the city of Detroit, and it is only appropriate that we return to give back to the community that helped our company get its start. Life Remodeled is an organization focused on building a better and brighter future for Detroit and General RV is proud to be a part of that mission.
What are the organization’s goals? Does it extend outside of the Detroit area?
Life Remodeled is a local nonprofit. General RV has not volunteered with them outside of the Detroit area. The organization’s unique model repurposes residential and vacant properties throughout the city into one-stop hubs that also includes other nonprofit organizations that help communities thrive. The nonprofit has three main goals:
- Help Detroit students perform at or above grade level in math and reading
- Ensure families have access to essential health and wellness services
- Help community members obtain higher paying jobs and achieve economic self-sufficiency
What other volunteer work or support does General RV offer to its surrounding community?
General RV does not participate in other volunteer work. However, the company does proudly support several charities and nonprofit organizations. As a company, we are focused on helping campers make memories in the great outdoors. Our philanthropy philosophy focuses on four pillars: environment, people, community development, and diversity and inclusion. We currently have more than 100 sponsorships across our nationwide network of stores and have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into our communities in 2023. Some examples of those we’ve supported this year include the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Muskegum Watershed Conservation District (Ohio), Penrickton Center for Blind Children (Michigan), Mentoring Monday’s with Penn Live (Pennsylvania), Relay for Life and more.
Why does the company feel this work is important?
General RV recognizes it is our responsibility to support the communities where we live, work and play. We are guided by our community-focused values that push us to be good neighbors in every city across our nationwide network. We are dedicated to doing our part to help create lasting and sustainable change in all of our communities.
RV PRO would like to highlight the philanthropic efforts of industry companies and dealerships. Please send us 500 words about your company’s volunteer work and programs for a chance to be featured in future issues! Email Managing Editor Jordan Benschop: jbenschop@cahabamedia.com.