Jimmie Johnson Foundation, Lowe’s and Samsung Award Fourth Annual Team Up For Technology Grant

CHARLOTTE, N.C., December 1, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson announced this morning that Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North in Louisville, Kentucky is the recipient of the fourth annual Team Up for Technology grant.

“Team Up For Technology is an amazing partnership between the Foundation, Samsung and Lowe’s addressing the desperate need for updated technology in schools across the country,” said Johnson.  “The schools did such a great job on their videos, and we’re excited to be able to award this year’s $48,000 grant to Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North.”

Olmsted Academy North was nominated by Lauren Heckman, a teacher at the school.

“It is a common occurrence that students don't have access to computers outside the classroom,” Heckman shared. “Often times, however, the technology we have inside the school doesn't work. Either the teachers have tech issues that derail the engaging lesson we have prepared, or the students can’t get on the computer because they are out of service. These kids are some of the best you'll find in Kentucky, and I would love nothing more than to treat them with such an amazing gift as this tech make-over.”

Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North plans to use the technology grant award, which includes $20,800 in Samsung technology and a $27,200 grant from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, to purchase items such as laptops, desktop computers and LED monitors.

“We are proud to be partnering with the Jimmie Johnson Foundation and Lowe’s to support K-12 education,” said David Steel, Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronics North America. “Through our efforts, we aim to spark kids’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and math – subjects that help develop critical skills they need for future success.”

Ten schools were selected from more than 1,200 nominations as Team Up For Technology finalists.  Each of the finalists was given a prize kit that included a Samsung digital camera and Samsung laptop to create a two-minute video demonstrating their school’s technology needs.  Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North was chosen as the winner from an impressive group of finalists, including: Evergreen Elementary School (Cottonwood, Calif.), Hayes Academy For Advanced Studies (Metairie, La.), Liberty Elementary School (Franklin, Tenn.), Meade Senior High School (Ft. Meade, Md.), North Middle School (Rapid City, S.D.), Poplar Road Elementary School (Sharpsburg, Ga.), Summit High School (Phoenix), Vegas Verdes Elementary School (Las Vegas) and Whitewater Valley Elementary School (Harrison, Ohio). 

Frederick Law Olmsted’s winning video can be viewed by visiting http://www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org.

The Team Up For Technology program encourages parents, teachers, administrators and children’s advocates nationwide to nominate their school to receive a technology makeover.  Nominations were received through the Foundation’s website and Twitter account.  In the past four years, more than $268,000 in cash and product has been awarded through this program. 

ABOUT THE JIMMIE JOHNSON FOUNDATION
Chandra and Jimmie Johnson launched the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in February 2006. Johnson, the six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, drives the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS in NASCAR’s top series. The mission of the foundation is to assist children, families and communities in need throughout the United States. The foundation has committed more than $6.7 million to various charities. The Foundation currently focuses on K-12 public education.  For additional information on the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, please visit www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org.

ABOUT SAMSUNG HOPE FOR CHILDREN
Built on Samsung’s dedication to helping children share the wonder of life, learning, and the planet, Hope for Children embodies Samsung’s longstanding commitment to raising awareness and support for deserving causes. We work towards this goal by providing resources to organizations that focus on education, health, and environmental issues that affect children. With our program partners, we’ve provided cash, technology, and volunteer hours to more than 750 schools and community organizations since 2002. For more information please visit www.samsung.com/hope.

ABOUT SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS NORTH AMERICA
Samsung Electronics North America (NAHQ), based in Ridgefield Park, NJ, is an arm of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. The company markets a broad range of award-winning consumer electronics, information systems, and home appliance products, as well as oversees all of Samsung’s North American brand management including Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, and Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. As a result of its commitment to innovation and unique design, Samsung is one of the most decorated brands in the electronics industry. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com. You can also Fan Samsung on www.facebook.com/SamsungUSA or follow Samsung via Twitter @SamsungTweets.

ABOUT LOWE’S
Lowe’s, a FORTUNE^® 100 home improvement company, has a 50-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects.  Since 2007, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed nearly $200 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility and LowesInTheCommunity.tumblr.com.

CONTACTS:
Jenny Mayer, Jimmie Johnson Foundation
704.586.2996
jmayer@jjracinginc.com

Theresa Cha, Samsung Electronics North America
201.229.4032
tcha@sea.samsung.com

Paris Flowe, Lowe’s
704.758.3546
paris.l.flowe@lowes.com