Volkswagen Workers Foundation Announces Partnership With Operation Get Active

Initial Donation Of $100,000 To Support Inner-City Youth Program

  • Monday, May 16, 2016
From left, Sean McDaniel (GM, CFC), Peter Woolcock (director, Operation Get Active), Scott Wilson (treasurer, Volkswagen Workers Foundation) and Matthias Erb (president, Volkswagen Workers Foundation)
From left, Sean McDaniel (GM, CFC), Peter Woolcock (director, Operation Get Active), Scott Wilson (treasurer, Volkswagen Workers Foundation) and Matthias Erb (president, Volkswagen Workers Foundation)

The Volkswagen Workers Foundation has established a partnership with the Chattanooga Football Club Foundation and its Operation Get Active initiative through a $100,000 donation to benefit the children participating in the new program. 

The Volkswagen Workers Foundation, a charitable nonprofit organization founded in April of 2015, is the American branch of the Volkswagen Employee Foundation, a German nonprofit organization that supports the education of children through improvement of their living conditions. 

“On behalf of Volkswagen employees, I’m proud to announce the partnership of the Volkswagen Workers Foundation and Chattanooga Football Club Foundation’s Operation Get Active,” said Matthias Erb, president of Volkswagen Workers Foundation, Inc. “This partnership also marks the beginning of the Volkswagen Workers Foundation’s charitable work at different locations here in the U.S. We’re looking forward to help strengthening communities and supporting their children." 

"Caring for people and communities around our different global locations is an integral part of the Volkswagen culture,” said Gunnar Kilian, chairman of the Executive Board of Volkswagen Employee Foundation in Wolfsburg. “We, the Board of the Volkswagen Employee Foundation, are proud to contribute to building a better future for many children in Chattanooga. I would like to personally thank Matthias Erb, Scott Wilson and their team for their efforts. The Volkswagen Employee Foundation is fully committed to support their goal now and in the future." 

Operation Get Active is a health initiative that uses the game of soccer to encourage youth to live active and healthy lifestyles and is a program of the Chattanooga Football Club Foundation.  In addition to improving children's physical activity, there is also a focus on developing teamwork and leadership. 

“I truly believe that soccer is a universal language that has the ability to change the lives of children for the better and Volkswagen Workers Foundation's generous contribution to Operation Get Active shows their commitment to this aim and to the health and well-being of Chattanooga's youth,” said Peter Woolcock, director of Operation Get Active. “We are extremely appreciative of their support and couldn't be more thrilled to partner with them to bring our soccer program to as many kids as possible." 

Operation Get Active launched in the spring of 2016 at nine inner-city locations across Chattanooga. These locations include elementary schools, private community centers and city of Chattanooga recreation centers. The program run’s twice a week for 10 weeks. This spring alone Operation Get Active has reached over 180 boys and girls, aged 9-12. 

"The relationship between Chattanooga and the great people of Volkswagen is deeply rooted,” said Sean McDaniel, general manager Chattanooga Football Club.  “To have their team give back to the community shows how invested everybody is in the betterment of all things Chattanooga.  We are proud of the partnership we have with them and anticipate this alliance enriching this city even further." 

“I’d like to express my deep appreciation to my colleagues at the Volkswagen Employee Foundation in Germany for donating these funds to help children here in Chattanooga,” said Scott Wilson, board member of the Volkswagen Workers Foundation here in the U.S. “For years the Volkswagen Employee Foundation in Germany has sponsored programs around the world and impacted countless young people. This is not a gift of the Volkswagen corporation, but rather Volkswagen employees in Germany reaching out to help improve the lives of children." 

Each Operation Get Active participant completes a fitness test and a physical activity and health questionnaire at the beginning and end of the program. At the culmination of the program, all participants take part in a soccer tournament. This gives participants the opportunity to meet and play against one another and celebrate the completion of the 10 week long program. 

OGA is now entering its summer program, and in the fall, Operation Get Active aims to expand to even more locations and reach over 400 children. 

Sean McDaniel (GM, CFC), Peter Woolcock (Director, Operation Get Active), Scott Wilson (Treasurer, Volkswagen Workers Foundation), Matthias Erb (President, Volkswagen Workers Foundation)

On field: Children in the OGA program warm up for the Operation Get Active end of Spring Tournament

Photo Credit: Volkswagen

 

About Volkswagen Workers Foundation, Inc.

The Volkswagen Workers Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, non-stock corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. The purpose of the foundation is the support of those in need, especially children, through improvement of their living conditions through art, culture or sport.

 

Children in the OGA program warm up for the Operation Get Active end of Spring Tournament
Children in the OGA program warm up for the Operation Get Active end of Spring Tournament
Latest Headlines
Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 3/29/2024

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: ASBERY, DAVID BENJAMIN 1920 GUNBARREL APT 404 CHATTANOOGA, 37421 Age at Arrest: 48 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD VANDALISM/MALICIOUS ... more

New Hope Fire Department Disputes TWRA Report On Kayaker Rescues
  • 3/28/2024

New Hope Fire Department Corey Comstock disputed a report by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency about the rescue of 33 kayakers from extremely high winds near Nickajack Cave on Monday. ... more

Woman Dies After Being Seriously Injured In House Fire Thursday Afternoon
Woman Dies After Being Seriously Injured In House Fire Thursday Afternoon
  • 3/28/2024

A woman died after sustaining life-threatening injuries in a house fire on North Moore Road Thursday afternoon and was rescued by Chattanooga firefighters. Hamilton County 911 received a call ... more