Chrysler and Local Dealers Kick Off National Dodge Journey Drive for the Kids School Challenge
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Forty-nine Schools Across the Country Compete for the Most Test Drives for Grand Prize - a Cash Contribution to Support Literacy and Student Enrichment
Chrysler LLC will combine student literacy and test drives of the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the brand's first crossover, when it kicks off the first leg of the national Dodge Journey Drive for the Kids School Challenge today at Field Elementary School in Canton, Mich.
The Drive for the Kids program, now in its 15th year of supporting education programs in U.S. schools, encourages student family members and friends who are adult-licensed drivers to raise money for their community schools by visiting the participating schools to test drive the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey. The vehicles are provided by the participating dealership and Chrysler donates $5 to each school for the first 100 test drives and $10 for each drive over 100.
"Chrysler is pleased to celebrate 15 years of the Drive for the Kids program by highlighting the newest vehicle in the Dodge product line, the 2009 Journey," said Mike Accavitti, Director - Dodge Brand Marketing & Communications. "The Dodge Journey and Drive for the Kids are about making dreams come true. Through this innovative test drive program, we can raise money for local schools across the country that will be used to help kids realize their own dreams."
Drive for the Kids School Challenge promotes friendly competition between the 49 participating schools with support from partnering local Chrysler, Jeep(R) or Dodge dealerships and parent teacher organization. The challenge will run from April to June 2008. The school with the most test drives and completed questionnaires will receive an additional $5,000 contribution to support literacy and student enrichment.
Since 1994, Chrysler has participated in more than 5,000 school events, raised over $2.8 million and conducted more than a half million test drives. The money raised goes to support projects that include educational materials and student enrichment programs such as computers, library enhancements, field trips and playgrounds.
Participating Schools and Dealerships
April 16, 2008 Field Elementary Dick Scott Dodge
Canton, MI
April 17, 2008 Bermudian Springs Middle School Hanover Dodge Jeep
York Springs, PA
April 18, 2008 Avon Elementary School Wells Dodge Chrysler
Avon Park, FL
April 18, 2008 Edison Elementary School Minot Chrysler Center
Minot, ND
April 19, 2008 Fremont Christian School Deur Speet Motors
Fremont, MI
April 19, 2008 Ellen Smith Elementary School Superior Dodge Chrysler
Conway, AR Jeep
April 19, 2008 Thomas Jefferson Elementary Brickner Chrysler Center
Wausau, WI
April 25, 2008 Booth Elementary School Marc Dodge
Irvington, AL
April 25, 2008 Dent-Phelps Elementary Al West Chrysler Dodge
Salem, MO
April 25, 2008 Zolfo Elementary School English Chrysler Dodge
Zolfo Springs, FL Jeep
April 25, 2008 Cody Elementary School Bob Mayber Motor Co.
North Platte, NE
April 25, 2008 Wilson Elementary School Ferman Motors of Plant
Plant City, FL City
April 25, 2008 Woodrow Wilson Elementary School Walden Motors
Paragould, AR
April 26, 2008 Mt. Airy Elementary School Altavista Motors
Gretna, VA
April 27, 2008 Cather Elementary School Baxter Chrysler Jeep
Omaha, NE Dodge
April 28, 2008 Pierce Street Elementary School Tupelo Auto Sales
Tupelo, MS
April 29, 2008 St. John's Lutheran School Brickner's Park City
Merrill, WI Motors, Inc.
April 30, 2008 Eagle Heights Elementary School Clinton Chrysler Dodge
Clinton, IA Jeep
May 1, 2008 East Side Intermediate School Jim Hayes, Inc.
Harrisburg, IL
May 2, 2008 Lake Forest Elementary School Benson Chrysler Dodge
Greenville, SC
May 2, 2008 Belington Elementary School Town & Country Chrysler
Belington, WV Dodge
May 2, 2008 Clay Road Baptist School Helfman Dodge Inc.
Houston, TX
May 2, 2008 Lewiston Elementary School Feeny Chrysler of Gaylord
Lewiston, MI
May 2, 2008 Milton Middle School B.Z. Motors
Milton, PA
May 2, 2008 St. Francis Elementary School Adamson Motors
Rochester, MN
May 3, 2008 Trinity Episcopal Day School Heritage Chrysler Dodge
Natchez, MS Jeep
May 9, 2008 Downeast Elementary School Bangor Chrysler Dodge
Bangor, ME
May 9, 2008 St Francis Holy Angels School Bill Marsh Automotive
Traverse City, MI Group
May 9, 2008 Central Elementary School Doug Smith Autoplex
Pleasant Grove, UT Chrysler
May 9, 2008 Hurlock Elementary School Schaefer & Strominger
Hurlock, MD
May 10, 2008 Odyssey Charter School Doug Smith Autoplex
American Fork, UT Chrysler
May 12, 2008 Hook Elementary School Bruner Motors, Inc.
Stephenville, TX
May 15, 2008 Raymond L. Young Elementary Bill Stanford Chrysler
Talladega, AL Jeep Dodge
May 16, 2008 Elimsport Elementary School VanCampen Chrysler Jeep
Allenwood, PA Dodge
May 16, 2008 St. John Elementary School Thelen Chrysler
Essexville, MI
May 16, 2008 Munford Elementary Bill Stanford Chrysler
Munford, AL Jeep Dodge
May 16, 2008 Country Elementary School Pinckney Dodge Chrysler
Pinckney, MI Jeep
May 17, 2008 Eugene Padan Elementary School Dodge Chrysler Jeep of
Vacaville, CA Vacaville
May 18, 2008 West Stafford Elementary School Bolles Chrysler Dodge
Stafford Springs, CT Jeep
May 20, 2008 North Bay Elementary School Champion Chrysler
Bay St. Louis, MS
May 21, 2008 St. Michael's Elementary Scott Preusse, Inc.
Morgan, MN
May 30, 2008 Saegert Elementary School Dodge Country
Killeen, TX
May 31, 2008 Greenwood Elementary School Millerstown Chrysler
Millerstown, PA
June 1, 2008 Brocton Central School Farrell Chrysler Dodge
Brocton, NY
June 5, 2008 E. Ray Elementary School Longhorn Dodge
Fort Worth, TX
June 6, 2008 Boardmanville Elementary School Paul Brown Dodge
Olean, NY
June 12, 2008 Woodrow Wilson Elementary School Miller Motor Auto Team
Binghamton, NY
June 13, 2008 David B. Crane Elementary School Cortese Dodge
Rochester, NY 14623
June 14, 2008 St. Agnes School Genesee Valley Motors
Avon, NY 14414
About Drive for the Kids
The Drive for the Kids national program was created in 1993 to help parents raise money for educational and student enrichment programs. Drive for the Kids combines a fundraiser for the school with an opportunity for parents to try out Dodge's newest crossover, the Dodge Journey. The program is a fun and easy way for schools to earn money to benefit students.
About the Dodge Journey
The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey is the Dodge brand's newest crossover vehicle, offering a unique combination of versatility and flexibility in a sporty, sexy package. The all-new vehicle takes the capability of a sport-utility vehicle (SUV) and the overall efficiency of a passenger car and blends all the best attributes of each into an all-new "right-sized" crossover for the Dodge brand. Clever, flexible seating and storage combinations include standard five-passenger seating with spacious cargo room and available third-row seating for carrying up to seven passengers. Spacious storage bins, hidden in the floor and available under the front passenger seat cushion, combined with the standard Chill Zone for beverage storage, make Dodge Journey incredibly flexible and functional. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of the 2009 Dodge Journey is $19,985 (including $625 destination).
About the Dodge Brand
With a U.S. market share of 6.4 percent, Dodge is Chrysler LLC's best-selling brand and the sixth largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive market. In 2007, Dodge sold more than 1.3 million vehicles in the global market.
The Dodge brand's first crossover vehicle -- the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey -- arrived in dealer showrooms in the first quarter of 2008, and will be available outside North America in both left- and right-hand drive in mid-2008. Arriving in the spring will be the limited-edition 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 with a 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine that boasts 425 horsepower and 420lb.-ft. of torque. Later in 2008, Dodge will add three more new vehicles to its product lineup -- the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram with game-changing exterior and interior design, innovations, best-in-class features and craftsmanship; the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger, a modern interpretation of the American muscle car; and the 2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid, a hybrid-electric vehicle that combines fuel efficient advanced hybrid technology with full-size SUV performance and capability. Last fall, America's best-selling minivan, the all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, arrived in dealerships with 35 new or improved features including the newest innovation, the Swivel 'n Go(TM) seating system. In 2007, Dodge Avenger and Nitro entered key volume segments outside North America, joining the Dodge Caliber, the highest sales volume vehicle for the company outside of North America.
