AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Meador Chrysler Jeep(R) and the Fort Worth, Texas, community came together to support student education programs at E. Ray Elementary School, by combining student literacy and test drives in the Dodge Journey Drive for the Kids School Challenge on Thursday, June 5, 2008.
Through 175 test drives of the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the brand's first crossover vehicle, E. Ray Elementary School raised more than $1,300. The money raised through the Dodge Journey test drives will support the school's education programs.
Meador ChryslerJeep, located in the heart of Fort Worth, partnered with the E. Ray Elementary School and provided the vehicles to the school for the test drives. For each test drive and completed questionnaire Chrysler donated $5 for the first 100 test drives and $10 for each drive over 100.
"We were excited to partner with Meador ChryslerJeep and participate in the Dodge Journey Drive for the Kids School Challenge," said Mya Asberry, Principal of E. Ray Elementary School. "The money raised will directly benefit the annual Austin trip for our fourth grade students. I am proud of the dedication from the students, families and community members that made this a successful event."
In addition to the money raised, E. Ray Elementary School will participate in a friendly competition against 49 schools across the country for the grand prize. The school with the most test drives and completed questionnaires will receive an additional $5,000 contribution to support its school's literacy and student enrichment programs.
"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, and it has been inspiring to watch this program grow. We congratulate the students, families and friends of E. Ray Elementary School on their outstanding performance and wish them the best of luck in the national competition."
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. It has been held at more than 5,000 school events, raised more than $2.8 million and conducted more than a half million test drives. 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.
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, WVDodge
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
May30, 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
June 14, 2008 St. Agnes School Genesse Valley Motors
Avon, NY
About the Dodge Journey
The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey is the Dodge brand's first 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 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 420 lb.-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.
Chrysler LLC