Ruth's Chris Steak House Grand Rapids, Haworth and Amway Unveil GRPS Union High School Dream Library Project
Ruth's Chris Cares Charity Golf Event donation spurs creation of collaborative oasis for students
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - May 1, 2015 – Ruth’s Chris Steak House Grand Rapids, along with Haworth, the Amway Corporation, officials from Grand Rapids Public Schools and Union High School students today cut the ribbon on Union High School’s new Dream Library. The project, an $85,000 renovation of the school’s old library, features flexibility for learning, community meetings, after school programing and a media center to access technology.
The funds for the Dream Library Project were raised through Ruth’s Chris 3rd Annual Ruth’s Chris Cares Charity auction and golf outing at Egypt Valley Country Club last September, along with a generous sponsorship from Amway Corporation and Haworth, to make the library a reality.
“We are delighted that Ruth’s Chris Cares had the opportunity to create a space they need for work, study, collaborative learning and inspiration,” said Chad LeRoux, chief marketing officer of Amway Hotel Corporation. “Ruth Chris’s Cares’ mission is to help fund new and emerging charitable organizations and initiatives, like the Union High School Dream Library Project that will help create opportunities for West Michigan youth.”
The project is critically important to student access to learning opportunities, said GRPS Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal.
“It is so important that our students have access to state of the art libraries and media centers like this. The kids absolutely love it and the deserve it,” Superintendent Neal said. “Our friends at Ruth’s Chris set the bar for how we as a district should be developing all our libraries throughout the district so all 17,000 GRPS students have this same opportunity.”
As part of the project, Haworth and the design team from Interphase collaborated with GRPS, Union High School students and teachers, to help with the design, layout and furniture, said Tom Manikowski, senior business development manager, Haworth.
“We are honored to be a part of the process that made this project a reality,” Manikowski said. “The Dream Library Project transformed the school’s library into a 21st century learning center that will offer the school a flexible environment that will be conducive to a variety of functions, including individual studying, group research and collaboration, and community events.”
Haworth believes great spaces empower people to thrive and work their best. As a leading global furniture maker, the company partners with customers, dealers and influencers to create spaces that result in effective people and efficient real estate. Haworth’s customer-first approach comes from an entrepreneurial spirit, design-forward thinking and multicultural perspectives. With a heritage in the workplace, Haworth is the founding brand of Haworth Group. The Haworth Group designs at the intersection of people and environments with brands like Haworth, AIS, BuzziSpace, Cappellini, Cassina, Ceccotti Collezioni, Heller, Hushoffice, Interni, JANUS et Cie, Karakter, Luminaire, Luxury Living Group, Poltrona Frau, Tayco, Tuohy and Zanotta.
Founded in 1948, Haworth Group is a privately-owned company operating in more than 150 countries through a global network of 400 dealers and 8,000 employees. Headquartered in Holland, Michigan, U.S.A., the company has sales of $2.7 billion USD.