From its start, I-77 Express has strived and proven to not just be a roadway connecting people within the Charlotte/Lake Norman area but also a positive, community-focused organization within the region. The 2020 I-77 Drive for Community is an example of that community-focused approach in action, and this year, it will be held September 14 through 28
The I-77 Drive for Community is an annual competition for five nonprofit organizations, located along the I-77 Express corridor, to have the chance to win either a general $2,500 participation prize or the grand prize of $10,000. The Drive is facilitated completely online through this link, enabling individuals in the general public to vote one time per day, per IP address for two weeks. At the completion of the two-week period, whichever organization receives the most votes wins the $10,000 grand prize, and the remaining four organizations each receive $2,500.
In 2018, the Drive was birthed from I-77 Express’ desire to financially support local nonprofits whose missions involved one or more of the following values that align with Cintra’s social responsibility program in the United States:
- Provides aid to disadvantaged groups
- Provides aid to equal opportunity programs
- Provides infrastructure for the community
Following those same guiding values, the 2020 Drive is proving to be even more impactful due to the economic strain COVID-19 has put on businesses and households throughout the region. COVID-19 is also the reason I-77 Express decided to hold the Drive two months earlier this year – acknowledging the current critical needs of nonprofits while in the height of the pandemic.
The 2020 I-77 Drive for Community participants include:
- Carolina Raptor Center – Huntersville, NC
- Charlotte Rescue Mission – Charlotte, NC
- Greenville Community Combined Youth Organization, Inc. -Charlotte, NC
- HealthReach Community Clinic – Mooresville, NC
- Make an Impact Foundation – Davidson, NC
To cast your vote, follow the progress and see the results of the 2020 Drive, use the following link beginning September 14 – I-77 Drive for Community. Be sure to also follow I-77 Express through Twitter and Facebook for Drive updates and other news, as well as visit I77Express web to learn about other community involvement efforts.
