Tribune Chronicle / Jon Wysochanski Christine Cope, resource development manager for Trumbull County United Way, left, and Bob Hannon, president of the Youngstown Mahoning Valley United Way, speak at the General Motors Lordstown complex Friday after receiving $25,000 each from the GM Foundation Community Grants award program.

LORDSTOWN — Several organizations received General Motors Foundation Community Grants Friday totaling $110,000.

Recipients included the Youngstown State University Foundation, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Inspiring Minds and the Youngstown Mahoning Valley and Trumbull County United Way organizations. General Motors has distributed the grants to local nonprofits for seven years as part of an annual Community Appreciation Day.

Warren native Deryck Toles, CEO and Founder of nonprofit Inspiring Minds, which offers after-school programs for youth in Warren, said the $20,000 his organization received is appreciated and will be used to continue the work of serving underprivileged youth in the Mahoning Valley.

Toles said all the work that his organization does for youth is only possible through the support of the community. He said Inspiring Minds will invest the money in 3D printing and drone technology for students.

“Most of the kids that we serve don’t get an opportunity to see outside their circumstances and be exposed to technology,” he said.

Christine Cope, United Way of Trumbull County Resource Development Manager, who was present in the absence of President Ginny Pasha, also said the $25,000 grant her organization received will serve children and seniors alike in the community. Cope said the United Way of Trumbull County funds 36 programs at 26 agencies.

“We couldn’t do any of this without the advocacy of GM,” she said. “Our work depends on having advocates like this.”

Employees at the Lordstown Complex have donated around $1 million per year to nonprofit organizations since 2010 when the Chevrolet Cruze was launched. Mark Pervine, General Motors Lordstown Complex assistant plant manager, said the Community Grants program provides grants to hundreds of organizations in the 47 communities where employees live and work in the areas of education, health, human services, environment and community development.

“A key component of who we are and what we do at General Motors is to serve and improve the communities that we live in and work,” he said.

jwysochanski@tribtoday.com