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Detroit Auto Dealers Association Raises $3.75 Million for Ten Charities

9 January 1998

Detroit Auto Dealers Association Raises $3.75 Million for Ten Charities

    DETROIT, Jan. 9 -- The Detroit Auto Dealers Association
(DADA) raised $3.75 million for ten Detroit area children's charities, as a
result of the Charity Preview kicking off the 1998 North American
International Auto Show.
    In presenting the gift, Pete Rosenau, co-chairman of the 1998 show, noted
that this year's contribution represents the largest single DADA fund raising
effort ever.  "During the past 22 years, the combined DADA charitable efforts
on behalf of the various organizations amounts to nearly $15 million, and
certainly highlights the generosity and support of Detroit's community and
business leadership," Rosenau noted.
    Rosenau presented the DADA check to Daniel Ellman, a 15 year-old, who is
the Goodwill Ambassador for the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, one
of the ten charities benefiting from this year's Charity Preview.  In
accepting the gift, Ellman said to the audience, "Look around you, there are
15,000 people here tonight.  Well, the money you're raising will benefit more
than 33,000 kids over the next year.  That's twice as many people as you see
here tonight."
    The ten Charities for Children are BARAT Child and Family Services, Boys &
Girls Club of Southeast Michigan, Boys Hope-Girls Hope Detroit, The Children's
Center, Children's Homes of Judson Center, The Detroit Institute for Children,
Detroit Police Athletic League, Easter Seal Society of Southeastern Michigan
and the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation.
    Harold Kuhn, co-chairman of the 1998 Auto Show provided the audience with
a background of the numerous media events leading to the public opening
tomorrow, "Nearly 5,700 media from 60 countries attended 70 press events.
Television coverage of these events were satellited to literally every country
in the world -- and every story carried a byline putting Detroit in a very
positive light," Kuhn stated.
    The 1998 North American International Auto Show will feature more than 700
new cars and trucks, including more than 65 concept and production vehicles
never seen before in the Detroit area.  For 1998, several new displays are
featured in Michigan Hall -- displays about the UAW, motorsports, aftermarket
products and some exotic concept design vehicles.  In addition, Cobo Arena
will feature displays from Sony, Microsoft, and IWERKS Virtual Reality
Theatre.  Several hybrid vehicles demonstrating alternative fuel and power
strategies will also be on exhibition.
    The show opens to the public Saturday, January 10 at 10 a.m., and will
continue daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through January 19 when it closes at
7 p.m.
    Ticket prices are: $8 adults; $4 seniors over 65; and children under 12
admitted free when accompanied by a parent.

SOURCE  Detroit Auto Dealers Association