$104K donated to automotive education

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. ' More boats will float, more old cars will hit the tar and more kids will have fun at the Petersen Automotive Museum, thanks to the efforts of The Collectors Foundation. The nonprofit organization offers grants designed to serve the future of the collector vehicle and boat hobbies, and it recently announced it would give $104,198 in the first quarter of 2007 to several organizations.

Among the non-profit organizations receiving funding are the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, which will use the funds to transport underprivileged Los Angeles public school students to the museum; the Missoula Transportation and Restoration Museum in Missoula, Mont., which plans to use the money for an after-school restoration program for high school students; and the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding in Port Hadlock, Wash., for a scholarship.

"It is our desire to motivate youth to become passionate about life through first-hand experiences with the beauty of historic craftsmanship, the rich artistic and technological heritage expressed in collector vehicles and vessels and the joy of being involved with adult mentors willing to pass on their passion," said foundation executive director Bob Knechel.

For more information, go to www.collectorsfoundation.org, or contact Knechel at 231-932-6835.