OREANDA-NEWS. The United Way Worldwide on Thursday honored General Motors with its Summit Award for making a difference in Metro Detroit and communities across the United States, particularly in the area of education.

The philanthropy award recognized GM employees’ contributions of more than USD 5.8 million through the United Way campaign, as well as the GM Foundation’s transformative USD 27.1 million grant to United Way of Southeastern Michigan to create a “Network of Excellence” within seven Metro Detroit high schools. Its goal is to increase graduation rates from 50 percent to 80 percent over five years. Attendance rates at all seven schools improved last year -- an early indicator for improved graduation rates.

Also noted was the nearly 1,200 hours the company’s teamGM Cares volunteers served within the Network of Excellence schools in 2012.

“General Motors and the GM Foundation have made a tremendous commitment to education and ensuring that all people are given the tools they need to be successful in life” said Brian Gallagher, United Way Worldwide president and CEO.