Johnson gives local schools $150,000 in grants

[August 25, 2009]  CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Three-time reigning NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson has donated $150,000 in grants to four Charlotte-area school systems.

The grants will be available to schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Mooresville, Cabarrus County and Iredell-Statesville school systems.

The grants will come through the Lowe's "Toolbox for Education" program. Lowe's is the primary sponsor of Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet.

Johnson and his wife, Chandra, have launched similar programs in their hometowns of El Cajon, Calif., and Muscogee, Okla. The total donations so far from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation are $500,000.

Monday's announcement coincides with Johnson's ongoing "Helmet of Hope" campaign. Each week, he draws two charities submitted by media and fans and donates $1,048 to each entry.

[Associated Press; By JENNA FRYER]

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