News Summary
Grayson Subaru has made a substantial donation of over $46,000 to Ijams Nature Center, supporting enhancements to the Nature Playscape and swim area at Mead’s Quarry Lake. This contribution comes from Subaru of America’s 2024 Share the Love Event and reflects the community’s commitment to local environmental initiatives. Ijams, slated to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, will use the funds to install new play elements and improve facilities, further solidifying its role as a vital urban greenspace in Knoxville.
Knoxville – Grayson Subaru has donated $46,732 to Ijams Nature Center as part of Subaru of America’s 2024 Share the Love Event, enhancing the Nature Playscape and swim area at Mead’s Quarry Lake. The check was presented on June 26, marking a significant contribution to the nonprofit, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025.
The donation will help fund new play elements and signage in the Ijams Nature Playscape, as well as improve docking facilities at the lake, which is a popular recreational area. Each interlocking dock piece for the project costs approximately $10,000. This effort follows the removal of invasive species from the upper section of Grayson Subaru Preserve by the Ijams Natural Resource Management team, paving the way for further development in the Nature Playscape.
Grayson Subaru’s contribution originated from a broader initiative, the 2024 Subaru Share the Love Event, set to run from November 15, 2024, to January 2, 2025. During this event, Subaru pledges to donate a minimum of $300 for every new vehicle purchased or leased from participating retailers across the country. Remarkably, 90% of customers at Grayson Subaru selected Ijams Nature Center as their preferred charity, underscoring the community’s support for local environmental efforts.
Subaru of America announced that the 2024 Share the Love Event raised a record-breaking $31.7 million, benefiting 834 hometown charities and demonstrating the automotive company’s commitment to giving back. Grayson Subaru alone has contributed more than $544,000 to various charitable causes over the years, including a previous donation of $39,000 to Ijams in 2024.
Attendance at the donation event included several Ijams staff members, among them Leigh Feld, Sarah Brobst, Ben Nanny, Amber Parker, Brandy Cox, Katie Brittian, and Madison Watson. Representatives from Grayson Subaru present included Sales Manager JC Marquardt along with staff members Abigail Ward and Andra Lenz.
Amber Parker, President and CEO of Ijams, expressed appreciation for the generous support from Grayson Subaru, emphasizing the importance of community contributions for the nonprofit’s operations and various educational programs. The Ijams Nature Center serves as a vital urban greenspace, promoting stewardship of the natural world while offering opportunities for outdoor education.
Located on a 318-acre site in Knoxville, Ijams Nature Center provides visitors with 14 miles of hiking and mixed-use trails, a public-access river dock, and an array of recreational activities. The center is open to the public every day from 8 a.m. until dusk, enabling community members and visitors to engage with nature and participate in educational experiences.
Subaru of America, the parent company of Grayson Subaru, is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan, operating from a zero-landfill office in Camden, New Jersey. Over the past 18 years, Subaru and its retailers have collectively donated nearly $320 million to various charitable organizations, solidifying the brand’s commitment to social responsibility.
The positive impact of this donation exemplifies the power of community involvement and environmental stewardship, as the funds promise to enhance both the recreational and educational aspects of the Ijams Nature Center, ensuring a lasting legacy for future generations.
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Additional Resources
- The Mountain Press
- Knoxville Focus
- WATE News
- Inside of Knoxville
- WBIR News
- Wikipedia: Ijams Nature Center
- Google Search: Ijams Nature Center
- Google Scholar: Ijams Nature Center
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ijams Nature Center
- Google News: Ijams Nature Center
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
