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GM Workers Rolling Up Their Sleeves In The Community

ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) - Some workers at the Arlington General Motors plant are taking time away from the production line this week to provide some hands-on community service.

The charity work is all part of GM's Week of Service.

"GM designated this week for Team GM Cares Volunteer Week, for the first time," explained company spokesperson Donna McClallen. "So our employees were able to choose what activities they wanted to be active in."

On Thursday a group of GM workers are headed to Roark Elementary School to make a significant donation.

"We were able to raise about $1,800 for school uniforms and then a bunch of school supplies -- notebooks, backpacks."

On Friday workers will head to Mission Arlington.

"We're gonna send a handful of volunteers out there to assist with the food pantry and really just doing whatever Mission Arlington needs to be done that day," McClallen said.

Since January 2011, Team GM Cares volunteers have contributed some 16,500 hours of volunteer work companywide. McClallen said the contributions are good for the company and the areas they do business in.

"Just from an employee standpoint it's really important that we get out into our communities, make them a better place in which to live and work because we really appreciate al the support that our communities have given us throughout the years."

While GM's Week of Service program is new, this kind of service is nothing new for the Arlington workers.

"Not only Roark Elementary or Mission Arlington, we're also involved in Junior Achievement and with Parkview Neighborhood Association, back here behind our plant," McClallen said.

Nationwide, more than 4,200 GM employees will step away from the production line to volunteer for 110 community service projects this week.

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