DCH Auto Group Announces Formation of a New Charitable Foundation and Launch of a Safe Driving Campaign Contest

SOUTH AMBOY, N.J., Jan. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DCH Auto Group is pleased to announce the formation of the DCH Teen Safe Driving Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization dedicated to reducing the number of deaths and injuries resulting from teen related auto crashes by promoting safe driving through greater awareness, education and advocacy directed to teens and their parents. The Foundation's first action will be to underwrite a safe driving awareness contest for high school students in New Jersey.  The contest is called D3NJ – Don't Drive Distracted NJ.

Since 2008, DCH Auto Group, in keeping with the company's core values, has focused its charitable giving, local community involvement and grass roots activism to the cause of teen safe driving. Now the auto retailer, with 28 car dealerships in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and California, is taking their advocacy to a new level by forming its own charitable foundation to further the company's message that distracted driving, especially among new and young drivers, is dangerous and potentially deadly.

"The purpose of the new Foundation is to promote teen safe driving and raise awareness among a larger population by expanding the reach beyond our current footprint," said Susan Scarola, President of DCH Teen Safe Driving Foundation and Vice Chairman of DCH Auto Group.

Part of that expanded focus will be showcased with the first major program underwritten with a grant from the DCH Teen Safe Driving Foundation. D3NJ is a teen safe driving awareness campaign and contest for high school students, the first of its kind by an auto retailer in New Jersey. The winning campaign design will be produced and distributed by a grant from the Foundation.

"New Jersey high school students and their parents are invited to compete in a two-tier competition designed to raise awareness about the dangers young drivers face when behind the wheel of a car or even as passengers riding with friends," said Roy Bavaro, Executive Director of DCH Teen Safe Driving Foundation and Director of Corporate Marketing of DCH Auto Group. "The winner of the competition will be awarded their choice of either a new car or a college scholarship."

Registration for D3NJ begins today, January 19, and will run until February 15. Safe driving campaign ideas submitted will be judged based on the contest participant's clarity and conciseness of their safe driving message and the creativity they choose to deliver that message. The grand prize winner will be selected by an outside panel of judges, experts in the field of teen safe driving.  The winner will be announced at a ceremony scheduled for May 5, as part of DCH Teen Safe Driving Foundation's kickoff to Global Youth Traffic Safety Month (GYTSM). GYTSM is a world-wide awareness month held each May to focus on traffic related crashes, the leading cause of death for teens.

Similar contests in other states that DCH Auto Group conducts business – New York, Connecticut and California – are also planned.

"Our involvement in educating teens about the dangers of distracted driving speaks to the values that DCH Auto Group holds dear," said Shau-wai Lam, Chairman of DCH Teen Safe Driving Foundation and Chairman of DCH Auto Group. "This new foundation is part of an evolution of our initial teen safe driving program. Thousands of teens tragically die and hundreds of thousands are seriously injured each year in car crashes. Through the work of the DCH Teen Safe Driving Foundation and programs such as D3NJ, we are working to bring every teen home safely."

DCH Auto Group's efforts to curb dangerous driving behaviors by teen drivers have been recognized nationally. DCH has been the recipient of Governors Highway Safety Association Peter K. O'Rourke Special Achievement Award for notable achievements in highway safety and the Students Against Destructive Decisions' (SADD) Outstanding Contribution Award. Through the company's involvement with organizations such as SADD, the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) and the National Safety Council on Teen Driving, DCH employees work with students to raise awareness among their peers about the need to make smart decisions.  In working with these organizations, DCH focuses on distracted driving, the importance of the graduated driver license, and the significance of parents playing an active part in their child's driver education.

For more information about the D3NJ safe driving awareness contest, please visit www.D3NJ.org or contact Roy Bavaro at 732-952-0218

About DCH Auto Group

Headquartered in South Amboy, NJ, DCH Auto Group comprises 28 auto dealerships in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Southern California from Oxnard to San Diego, featuring a full line of new and pre-owned vehicles.  The company is dedicated to delivering a superior sales and service experience to its customers and is highly invested in principles for the success of its employees.  DCH Auto is committed to giving back to the communities in which its dealerships operate and employees and customers live.  The company is dedicated to the teen safe driving cause and is a sponsor of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).  For more information, please visit www.DCHAuto.com.

About DCH Teen Safe Driving Foundation

DCH Teen Safe Driving Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit charitable organization dedicated to reducing the number of deaths and injuries resulting from teen related auto crashes by promoting safe driving through greater awareness, education and advocacy directed to teens and their parents.

SOURCE DCH Auto Group