NVIDIA, City Year, San Jose Strong Neighborhoods Initiative Team Up to Renovate McKinley Elementary School and Community Center

Over $250,000 Invested and 1,000+ Volunteers Expected From NVIDIA for Dec. 5 “Party With a Purpose” to Benefit Low-Income San Jose Neighborhood

NVIDIA, in conjunction with City Year Silicon Valley and the City of San Jose, today announced that McKinley Elementary School and Community Center will be the beneficiaries of 2009’s “Project Inspire,” the company’s annual social responsibility initiative.

On Saturday, Dec. 5, more than 1,000 NVIDIA employees and community volunteers will gather to make more than $320,000 worth of improvements to the school. In addition to providing manpower, NVIDIA and sponsors will also invest $250,000 cash into the renovations.

“I’m thrilled NVIDIA has chosen McKinley School and Community Center,” said San Jose Councilman Sam Liccardo. “This partnership leverages resources, but, more importantly, it provides an incredible opportunity for the families and children in the Five Wounds neighborhood and acknowledges the hard work and investment residents have made in their community.”

Every year since 2001, NVIDIA has taken the money it would have spent on a holiday party and instead has invested it into the local community. NVIDIA partners with low-income schools and organizes a day of community service with its employees to provide transformative upgrades. McKinley Elementary School, in the downtown San Jose neighborhood of Five Wounds/Brookwood Terrace, was chosen for its commitment to improving the neighborhood and to addressing pressing community issues such as gang violence and substance abuse. McKinley serves 500 students — 91% participate in a free or reduced priced lunch program, 74% are English language learners and the majority come from low-income households.

McKinley also serves as a neighborhood “hub” for thousands of San Jose residents who use the community center, playgrounds and sports fields. San Jose Redevelopment Agency’s Strong Neighborhoods Initiative and CommUniverCity have already been working with residents to improve the facilities and foster the strong community feel. NVIDIA’s contributions through Project Inspire will further increase the community’s commitment to maintaining McKinley as an education and recreation destination for the neighborhood.

“NVIDIA is proud of our annual tradition of replacing staff holiday parties with more meaningful initiatives to support our local communities,” said Tonie Hansen, Sr. Programs Manager, Social Responsibility, NVIDIA. “This year, we are thrilled to be partnering with City Year and the City of San Jose to improve McKinley Elementary School and Community Center. Clearly, the local community is dedicated to self-improvement, and we are pleased that we can use our resources to help them in their journey.”

Projects to be completed at McKinley on Dec. 5 include:

--   Complete repainting of the school and community center
--  Building outdoor classroom and community gathering place
--  Remodeling the community center and two computer labs
--  Coordinating employee donations of computers for classrooms
--  Painting murals throughout the school and community center
--  Improving playgrounds and sports fields
--  Landscaping the adjacent community park
--  Building storage space for classrooms

“City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley is proud to partner with NVIDIA and the City of San Jose for NVIDIA’S annual Project Inspire,” said Beach Pace, Executive Director City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley. “It is exactly this kind of public/private partnership that allows us to have a meaningful impact on the long-term challenges that Silicon Valley faces and work together to improve our schools and communities. We are excited about this partnership and cannot wait to see the promising results of the day.”

For more information about Project Inspire or to get involved, please visit http://www.nvidia.com/content/project_inspire/project_inspire09.html.

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