For IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 9, 2023
Lake Orion High School automotive program
awarded $30,000 grant
LAKE ORION, Mich. — Lake Orion High School has received a grant of $30,000 from the
Margaret Dunning Foundation to support automotive equipment upgrades.
The grant, submitted by second year LOHS Automotive Instructor Justin Montgomery, is one of
the largest grants received by the automotive program in recent history.
The grant will provide an opportunity to upgrade and add new equipment to the auto shop. We
will be upgrading both of our 2-Post Hoists, creating a safer welding space with two walk-in
welding booths with fume extraction, among other smaller equipment upgrades to benefit the
students. All these items will help the shop resemble what students will see out in the industry
and keep them even safer while working in the shop.
“I think that our automotive students deserve the best environment to learn new skills and
achieve their goals in. This equipment is going to really help jump start our program and
generate more excitement among our auto students” Montgomery said. “My students have so
much talent! I cannot wait to see them using this new equipment and continue helping them
build a foundation of knowledge that will lead them to success in life and the automotive
industry.”
The new equipment and upgrades will be installed over the course of the 2023-24 school year.
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About the Margaret Dunning Foundation
The Margaret Dunning Foundation was founded by Ms. Dunning in 1997. She was born in 1910 in
Redford Township, Michigan, and moved with her mother to Plymouth, Michigan in the1920s. During
her lifetime, Ms. Dunning was a successful businesswoman, philanthropist, and civic booster. She was
major supporter of many Plymouth nonprofits, including the Plymouth District Library and the Plymouth
Historical Society. In addition to her personal philanthropy, Ms. Dunning was a classic car enthusiast
and was a regular participant in the Woodward Dream Cruise with her 1930 Packard 740 Roadster.
Ms. Dunning died in 2015 at the age of 104. Her estate provided additional funding for the Margaret
Dunning Foundation, which continues to support her charitable interests and legacy.
315 N. Lapeer
Lake Orion, MI 48362
(248) 653-4637 cell
Mark Snyder
Director of Communications
and Marketing
LakeOrionSchools.org
Twitter: @LkOrionSchools
Facebook: @LakeOrionCommunitySchools