The foundation of NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson awarded nearly $150,000 in grants to area schools this week, the San Diego School District announced today.
The funds came from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation/Lowe's Toolbox for Education Champions Grants program:
High Tech High Point Loma Village Schools received $47,040 to acquire update classroom technology;
SciTech at San Diego High got nearly $44,000 to further its Green Technology and Engineering Program;
Clairemont High School received nearly $31,000 to replace 50-year-old woodshop equipment; and
Point Loma High School was awarded more than $25,000 to purchase a fuel-injected engine trainer and other equipment for an automotive technology program.
"This is a very generous donation to some really outstanding programs," Superintendent Bill Kowba said. "These types of donations are so important as equipment and technology change faster than we can update equipment.''
The race car driver, an El Cajon native, has donated more than $300,000 to the SDUSD through his foundation and Lowe's.
"K-12 public education continues to be the primary focus of the Jimmie Johnson Foundation,'' Johnson said in a statement. "It is amazing to read through the applications and see the unbelievable needs of these schools.''
The five-time NASCAR champion also donated to Granite Hills High School, Magnolia Elementary School and W.D. Hall Elementary School in El Cajon, according to his foundation.
