YKK AP America, Inc.commits additional $5K
June 12, 2017 Dublin, GA
A quiet afternoon in Dublin, GA quickly turned joyous as one phone call from Dr. Joe Carruth brought the news the staff and board of directors of Visit Dublin GA had been working toward: Dr. Carruth confirmed that the Community Foundation of Central Georgia wanted to partner in the 5 for 5 Challenge to complete Dublin’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument Park.
“Dr. Joe Carruth shared his excitement about the MLK Monument in Dublin and wanted to participate. He was delighted to learn that a grant from his fund at CFCG would complete the 5 for 5 Challenge. The Community Foundation of Central Georgia is honored to participate with the Carruths and Visit Dublin GA to commemorate this important historical event in the Civil Rights Movement,” shared Kathryn Dennis, president, Community Foundation of Central Georgia.
On April 17, 2017, Visit Dublin GA revealed the first phases of the MLK Monument Park and discussed the project’s next steps. During the reveal, a call was issued to the Dublin community’s leaders. Dubbed the 5 for 5 Challenge, Dublin company YKK AP America, Inc., manufacturer of commercial facades and residential windows and doors, was the first to sign onto this challenge. Immediately following issuance of the 5 For 5 Challenge, local family owned real estate company, Curry Companies jumped at the opportunity to pledge a donation of $5,000, followed shortly after by the board of directors of Visit Dublin GA.
Immediately upon learning that the 5 for 5 Challenge was complete, Stepe reaffirmed his pledge that with three more companies committing by Memorial Day, YKK AP America will pledge the final, additional $5,000 to realize the project. Through an announcement to its employees on June 8, YKK AP took its commitment to what this project represents one step further by taking the lead as one of the few companies in the Middle Georgia region to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a company holiday in all plants and locations across the U.S., effective beginning in January, 2018.
“We are so proud to see Visit Dublin GA realize its vision for the Monument Park through the Challenge,” said Stepe. “As a company, YKK AP takes great pride in the history of the Dublin community, and the rich diversity of its organization. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to support this important project and to be among the leading list of companies to recognize MLK day as a company holiday.”
The 5 for 5 Challenge will fund the installation of a podium sculpture by Dublin artist, Juan Lleras, on the grounds of First African Baptist Church along with additional lighting and landscaping.
Follow along as new experiences are added to Dublin’s MLK Monument Park on Visit Dublin GA’s Facebook.
For media requests, more information on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument Park and the 5 For 5 Challenge, please contact:
Rebecca McWilliam
Visit Dublin GA
rebecca@visitdublinga.com
478-272-4002
