SOUTHFIELD, MI — Jim Comer, president of North American Joint Ventures and Diversity at Lear Corp., was honored by President George W. Bush with the President’s Volunteer Service Award during the president’s visit to Detroit last week.
The award, established by President George W. Bush in his 2002 State of the Union address, recognizes individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering.
An active volunteer his entire career, Comer has been involved in VIP Mentoring for the past three years. The mission of Detroit, Mich.-based VIP Mentoring is to encourage and support the development of community justice programs which include one-to-one mentoring of children of an incarcerated parent with trained volunteers to help enable participants to become more educated, productive and self-sufficient members of the community. Comer also last year launched an innovative summer program at Lear’s corporate headquarters in Southfield, Mich., to introduce young people to the business world and involve them in community service.
“Research shows that mentoring is the most effective way to have a positive influence on ‘at-risk’ kids,” said Comer. “Our younger generation is the key to the future, and all it takes to make an impact is a few hours per week.”
In 2003, Comer was named by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC). The MCSC oversees programs such as Mentor Michigan, AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve. Last year, Comer was a finalist for the Detroit Lions’ William Clay Ford Community Quarterback Award which recognizes outstanding local volunteers.
“We are fortunate to have an abundance of compassionate employees at Lear Corporation that volunteer in our communities and generously help others in need,” said Bob Rossiter, Lear chairman and CEO. “Jim Comer is a shining example of someone that finds those in need, especially children, and steps in to help out. Jim is an outstanding individual who unselfishly reaches out to his community to address the needs of a broad and diverse population.”
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