Gene Haas Foundation Donates $410,000+ to Ventura County Organizations

VENTURA, Calif. - Oct. 10, 2014 - PRLog -- OXNARD, Calif.—The Gene Haas Foundation announces that more than $410,000 in grants has been donated to various Ventura County organizations this year-to-date.  The funds benefit organizations both large and small and focus on supporting scholarships, manufacturing education programs and organizations that serve the most needy.  The foundation has distributed more than $3.2 million nationally.

A total of $230,000 was donated to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme to support STEM education programs, establish a new scholarship fund and general program support.  Distributions also include $10,000 Christa McAuliffe Elementary School for a STEM summer camp and $10,000 for scholarships to both Ventura High School and Santa to the Sea Half Marathon as well as $5,000 to El Centrito Family Learning Center.

“It’s important to the Foundation to aid the community where Haas Automations employees live.  These grants support organizations that make a positive impact in the region as well as encourage the education of its youth, said Kathy Looman, foundation administrator.  “Our main focus is to support human service organizations that enhance the quality of life of the community’s most vulnerable individuals, families and veterans, and we support manufacturing education, particularly by providing scholarships.”

About the Gene Haas Foundation

Founded by Haas in 1999, the Gene Haas Foundation has awarded more than 22 million dollars to deserving charities and educational institutions.  The Foundation was formed to fund the needs of the local community and to support manufacturing education.  The foundation provides scholarship funds to community colleges and vocational schools for students entering technical training programs, especially machinist-based certificate and degree programs as well as supports youth programs that inspire young people to consider manufacturing careers.  Additionally just this year the Gene Haas Foundation has leveraged over 1.5 million dollars in grants for Veterans training.  For more information, visit www.ghaasfoundation.org.

Ventura County Organizations

Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme

Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley

California State University Channel Islands Foundation

Camarillo Hospice

Channel Islands Maritime Museum

Christa McAuliffe Elementary School

City of Oxnard

El Centrito Family Learning Center

El Concilio Family Services

Santa to the Sea

Gold Coast Veterans

Meadowlark Service League

Oxnard Fire Department

Senior Nutrition Action Council

SME Ventura

St. John's Healthcare Foundation

Turning Point Foundation