Local Auto Dealers Distribute 7,300 New Winter Coats to Students in Need from the School District of Philadelphia

— Event supports distribution of more than 45,000 new coats to
low-income youth throughout the Greater Philadelphia area this fall —

EAST NORRITON, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In its ninth year, new vehicle dealers in the five-county Philadelphia
area will donate a record number of 45,070 free new coats to less
fortunate children this fall through its Driving
Away the Cold program, a philanthropic initiative of the Philadelphia
Auto Show and the Auto
Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation. The Foundation’s largest
distribution event, held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on
Tuesday, Oct. 18, will give more than 7,300 new coats to elementary
students in the School District of Philadelphia.

The Driving Away the Cold program ensures that as many children as
possible have a warm coat for the harsh winter weather and frigid
temperatures. “It’s staggering to think that one in six children in the
five-county area of Philadelphia live in poverty. This equates to more
than 174,000 children,” said Don Franks of JL Freed Honda and president
of the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation.

By federal standards, poverty is defined as a family of four living on
an annual income below $24,250. The Auto Dealers CARing for Kids
Foundation and the Association’s dealer members are committed to helping
local children by providing brand new winter coats to kids who need them
most. A new coat makes it easier for them to get to school every day for
learning and in some cases, the only two hot meals they have that day.

Developed in January 2008 by the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids
Foundation, the Driving Away the Cold program is a philanthropic
initiative with one important mission: to provide new winter coats to
underprivileged children living in the five-county region of
Philadelphia. During a special month-long program in September,
participating dealers pledge a new coat each time a vehicle is sold at
their dealerships. Additionally, a portion of Philadelphia Auto Show
ticket sales is donated to the Foundation to purchase coats. The coats
are purchased specifically for children.

“Driving Away the Cold has united 175 new automobile dealers to give
away more than 45,000 brand-new coats to local boys and girls, many of
whom lack daily essentials such as a warm winter coat,” said Kevin
Mazzucola, executive director of the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids
Foundation. “Our local dealers are dedicated to this initiative. Their
generosity and enthusiasm over the past eight years has enabled the
program to thrive.” New winter coats will be distributed through more
than 125 different social services agencies, shelters, after-school
programs, regional YMCAs, and more. These non-profit partners identify
the children who will benefit most from this gift and distribute the
coats in a responsible manner. This year’s contribution brings the
cumulative total to 265,252 new coats given to children in the
five-county Philadelphia region since 2008.

About the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation

The Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation is the philanthropic arm of
the Automobile
Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia and the Philadelphia
Auto Show. Established in 2003, the Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public
charity, supports worthwhile child-related initiatives throughout the
Greater Philadelphia five-county region including its signature
programs, the Black Tie Tailgate, Tech Comp and Driving Away the Cold.
Its mission is to enhance and enrich the lives of children and
youth in the communities in which its Dealer Members work and live. For
more information, please visit caringforkids.com.

Contacts

Brownstein Group
Mallory Horshaw
Mobile: 215-962-1911
Office:
267-238-4139
auto@brownsteingroup.com