Times are tough. REALLY TOUGH! It is getting harder and harder for charities, non-profits, schools, and community organizations to find funding and volunteers. These organizations often turn to businesses for help. Here in GVR we have been lucky. We have had several businesses step up to the plate and give back. One of these businesses is Best Buy.

When I sat down with Jerome McKay the general manager of the Best Buy at I-70 and Tower I was already familiar with Best Buy’s community involvement. Whether it is the Earth Day celebration or the 9news health fair or at a Citizen Advisory Board meeting, there they are, Best Buy employees giving of their own time to help make GVR a better place.

What I didn’t know about were the less obvious activities that Best Buy is doing to help the community. One of these programs that Jerome talked about is called Teach@15. The Teach@15 Award program helps schools meet their technology needs. This is a teen led program and for more information check out  www.at15.com/teach.

Another program Best Buy sponsors is the @15 Community Grants Program, Best Buy teams across the United States select non-profit organizations that provide positive experiences to help teens excel in school, engage in their communities, and develop leadership skills. This year, Best Buy Children's Foundation will give $2 million through the Community Grants Program. To learn more about this program go to http://www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com/community_grants.htm.

So why do Jerome and his employees give so much of their time? Why does Best Buy fund these programs? Well, first there’s the obvious: IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO! But then there’s the less obvious. Jerome’s store has been recognized as being one of the most improved. In addition, Best Buy corporate has spot lighted our local Best Buy for their community involvement activities.

If you are a student, a teacher, or anyone else looking to make GVR a better place to live, work and play and are curious as to how Best Buy may be able to help, feel free to stop by the I70 & Tower location and ask for Jerome McKay or any of his managers. They have proven that when they can help, they will.

Written by David Stahlecker