Apr 09, 2009 08:00 ET
Hyundai Hope on Wheels Launches 2009 Tour with Special Events in Alabama and New York
Ceremonies at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and the New York
International Auto Show Mark Launch of ’09 Tour and Total Donation of
$1.3 Million to Pediatric Cancer Research
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Apr 09, 2009
Hyundai Motor America and its dealers launched the 2009 Hyundai Hope on
Wheels Tour this week with special kick-off events at Hyundai Motor
Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) and the Hyundai booth at the New York
International Auto Show. The 2009 Hyundai Hope on Wheels Tour will visit
30 children’s hospitals across the country to donate $1.3 million to
support pediatric cancer research.
On Tuesday, April 7th, representatives from Hyundai and Hope
on Wheels gathered at Hyundai’s U.S. manufacturing plant in Montgomery,
Alabama to greet the 2009 Hyundai Hope on Wheels Santa Fe vehicle as it
rolled off the assembly line. In addition to speeches and a ceremonial
check presentation of the $1.3 million donation to pediatric cancer
research, 11-year-old Samantha Heim, the Hyundai Hope on Wheels national
youth ambassador, led children from the local chapter of The Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society in a special Handprint Ceremony. During the Handprint
Ceremony, which Hope on Wheels conducts at each hospital it visits,
children place their handprints in colorful paint on the 2009 Hyundai
Santa Fe, the official vehicle of the Hope on Wheels Tour, to
commemorate their brave battles with pediatric cancer.
Following the kick-off event at HMMA, the first official hospital
donation event and Handprint Ceremony of the year will take place today
in the Hyundai booth at the New York International Auto Show. Hyundai
Hope on Wheels will donate $100,000 to the Hope & Heroes program at
Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital at NewYork-Presbyterian to support
the research of two pediatric cancer specialists: Dr. Jennifer Levine
and Dr. Maria-Luisa Sulis. Children receiving treatment at the hospital
and their families will join Hope on Wheels youth ambassador Samantha
Heim and dealers from Hyundai’s Eastern Region at the auto show to add
their own handprints to the Hope on Wheels Santa Fe.
“On behalf of Hyundai dealers across the country, Hope on Wheels is
proud to launch the 2009 Tour with these special events that honor the
children facing pediatric cancer and the unwavering dedication of the
doctors who care for them,” said Oscar Leeser, president of the national
Hyundai Hope on Wheels Dealer Board, and El Paso, Texas Hyundai dealer.
“Hope on Wheels grew from our dealers’ personal commitment to fighting
pediatric cancer, and it’s incredible to see how all branches of
Hyundai’s operations have come together to show their support and
celebrate the children, families and doctors on the front lines of the
battle against this terrible disease,” said John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai
Motor America.
This year Hyundai Hope on Wheels marks its 11th year of
commitment to pediatric cancer research efforts. Hyundai and its dealers
have donated more than $12.4 million to children’s hospitals nationwide
and collected hundreds of handprints from children fighting pediatric
cancer. More information and the complete list of 30 stops on the 2009
Hyundai Hope on Wheels Tour is available at www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a
subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are
distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and
are sold and serviced through more than 791 dealerships nationwide.
HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
Hyundai Hope on Wheels™ is the united effort of all 791 Hyundai dealers
across the U.S. to raise awareness about pediatric cancer and celebrate
the lives of children battling the disease. Hyundai and its dealers have
donated more than $12.4 million to pediatric cancer research and is an
independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Allison & Partners
Abbie Rumery
Office: 310-496-4456
Mobile:
626-644-0174
abbie@allisonpr.com