General Motors Launches Program to Support, Reward Local Heroes

Our Town, Our Heroes Kicks Off February 16 Across Illinois

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Feb 16, 2011, 08:00 ET

CHICAGO, Feb. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- General Motors wants to honor local heroes in Illinois who are contributing to their communities through the launch of its new Our Town, Our Heroes program. From the first responder on the scene, to the coach who gave his time to mentor local youth, to the soldier serving his country, to the local mom who organized a neighborhood clothing drive, General Motors will recognize two local heroes each month and will challenge them to continue to empower others to drive positive change.

Beginning February 16 and continuing through December, Illinois residents can log on to DrivingtheMidwest.com and nominate those who inspire them and make a difference in their communities. Five finalists will be chosen every two weeks, and the public can log on and vote for their favorite hero. The hero, and the person who nominated him or her, will each receive a one-week loan, including a full tank of gas, of an all-new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle.

"At the heart of every community are heroes who inspire others with their actions, and we're thrilled to support these selfless individuals who do good without any intention of getting anything in return," said Brian Goebel, General Motors North Central Region Communications Manager. "We want to recognize the unsung heroes who inspire others and make an impact in their neighborhoods every day."

In addition to recognizing community heroes, General Motors is connecting with local organizations to help them make a difference. Community groups of all kinds can partner with General Motors for vehicle and other support for a variety of events such as days of service, park clean-ups or fundraisers. Visit DrivingtheMidwest.com for more information on the Our Town, Our Heroes program, to submit an opportunity for General Motors to support your local program or to learn more about what is happening in your area. You can also follow on Twitter @DrivingMidwest.

About General Motors– General Motors Company (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM), one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 209,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM's largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Italy, Russia, Mexico, and Uzbekistan. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.