Spartan Motors Increases its Commitment to Local Community Health in the City it Calls Home with Pair of Donations Totaling More Than $1 Million

CHARLOTTE, Mich., Dec. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading Mich. manufacturer, Spartan Motors, Inc. SPAR ("Spartan" or the "Company"), a global leader in specialty chassis and vehicle design, manufacturing, and assembly, has presented Charlotte, Mich.-based AL!VE with a $75,000 donation in support of its ongoing programs that promote community health and wellness.  The donation, presented to AL!VE earlier today by Spartan Motors President and Chief Executive Officer Daryl Adams, represents the seventh of 10 installments of a larger $1 million donation originally pledged in 2009 on behalf of The Spartan Motors (Chassis) Foundation. The Foundation represents the charitable arm of Spartan, developed to positively impact the tri-county area surrounding its Charlotte, Mich., Headquarters where the majority of its employees reside.

"Spartan Motors was a lead donor to AL!VE in a time when the economy was uncertain and Charlotte in particular was struggling, " said Matt Rush, President and CEO, Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital (HGB). "Having the area's largest employer step up with a major commitment to better health and wellness for employees and area residents tells you that Spartan Motors is a dedicated, forward-thinking organization that understands the importance of community health and vitality."

In honor of Spartan's commitment, AL!VE plans to place a sign at the health park recognizing the donation, as well as placing recognition and photos on the "Generosity Window" in HGB's lobby. HGB will further celebrate the gift by hallmarking a large, well-trafficked community meeting space at AL!VE called "GATHER" with the phrase: "Brought AL!VE by Spartan Motors."

Additionally, Spartan today announced a $30,000 commitment over the next three years in support of CharlotteRising, the regional offshoot of Gov. Rick Snyder's larger statewide "Rising Tide" initiative created to advance economic prosperity in ten communities across Michigan. The Rising Tide program is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development.

"We are fortunate to live and work in a community that supports us in so many ways," said Adams. "The health and well-being of our workforce and the community in which they live is essential, and we look at AL!VE and CharlotteRising as benchmarks of excellence in terms of the contributions they offer to the region. We are honored to play a small role in their success, and we have great belief in their ability to make a substantial, positive impact on Charlotte and beyond."

The donation to AL!VE makes Spartan the organization's lead donor, and the CharlotteRising donation is at its top "Impact" level of sponsorship.

"The support of Spartan Motors is essential to our ability to carry out our vision for this community," said Dr. Fred Darin, Chair of HGB's Board of Trustees.  "AL!VE provides a destination facility and programming that extends our mission of improving the health and vitality of the people living in Charlotte and Eaton County. The generous donation from the Spartan Motors foundation will help us continue to deliver those benefits to our community."

About Spartan Motors

Spartan Motors, Inc. is a leading designer, engineer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty vehicles, specialty chassis, vehicle bodies and parts for the fleet and delivery, recreational vehicle (RV), emergency response, defense forces and contract assembly (light/medium duty truck) markets. The Company's brand names— Spartan Motors, Spartan Specialty Vehicles, Spartan Emergency Response, Spartan Parts and Accessories, and Utilimaster®, a Spartan Motors Company— are known for quality, durability, performance, customer service and first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 1,800 associates, and operates facilities in Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kansas, South Dakota, Saltillo, Mexico; and Lima, Peru. Spartan reported sales of $550 million in 2015. Visit Spartan Motors at www.spartanmotors.com.

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SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.