2/24/26
COLUMBIA, Tenn. – Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries among children in the United States. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, approximately 59% of car seats are not installed correctly, significantly increasing the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash. To help address this ongoing safety concern, Maury Regional Health Care Foundation has been awarded the General Motors (GM) Car Seat Grant for the seventh consecutive year.
This grant comes from GM Spring Hill Manufacturing through the 2025 Community Impact Grants program. Each year, GM Spring Hill Manufacturing provides funding to local nonprofits aimed at supporting STEAM Education and Road Safety. Since 2019, Maury Regional Health Care Foundation has received over $150,000 through the program. GM’s continued investment reflects their commitment to helping keep families safe on Tennessee roads. The award of the GM grant will strengthen the Community Car Seat Safety Initiative by funding certification and recertifications for car seat safety technicians, public education, car seat inspections, and free car seats for families in need in Maury County and our service area.
“Safety on the road begins long before a vehicle leaves our plant,” said GM Spring Hill Manufacturing Executive Director Anton Busuttil. “For seven years, GM has invested in this effort to help families protect what matters most. We value strong partnerships like this one that improve the well being of the communities where our employees live and work.”
The Foundation serves a predominantly rural population in Columbia and surrounding areas, with many at-risk and underserved families with babies and small children. The Community Car Seat Safety Initiative program targets individuals who lack access to adequate resources to protect their children while riding in an automobile.
The Foundation is expanding the reach of the program to all service areas for Maury Regional Health by supplying car seats to patients at Columbia Pediatrics who are in need, as well as Lewisburg Pediatrics, Lewis Health Center, Maury Regional Medical Group Primary Care and Pediatrics and the new Lawrenceburg practice that will be opening in Spring 2026. The organization is also partnering with the Pregnancy Center in Spring Hill and Columbia to increase the availability of safe car seats to families who lack adequate resources.
“Many parents lack the resources to purchase a car seat that properly fits their child. Through our collaboration with GM, we are able to assist those parents as well as work with Columbia Fire Department and others to ensure there are certified car seat safety technicians offering free inspections for any member of the community,” said Foundation Executive Director Rita Thompson. “With this latest grant, we look forward to expanding our reach in the region.”
Additionally, the Foundation will continue offering free car seats to families experiencing financial barriers or have specific financial needs within the Maury Regional Health system identified through the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Mother/Baby floor, pediatricians and care teams.
Since 2006, the Foundation has funded more than $5.8 million in programs and services benefiting community members in need. These programs include medication assistance, a food pantry, transportation assistance, educational support, community health initiatives and employee assistance. Learn more about the Foundation at MauryRegional.com/Foundation.
