Hyundai Hope On Wheels Launches 'Just One Wish' Program In New York With Special Performance By Grammy Award-Winning Singer Michelle Williams

NEW YORK, April 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Hope On Wheels^® officially launched its 16^th year in the fight against pediatric cancer with a special guest performance by internationally acclaimed singer Michelle Williams.  The launch event took place in New York City in conjunction with the New York International Auto Show.  Williams was presented with an award to serve as a Hyundai Hope On Wheels celebrity Hope Ambassador.  This honorary position is given to influencers willing to help bring awareness to the critical cause of childhood cancer.  Williams was involved in several launch event activities.

Hope On Wheels also introduced its two new National Youth Ambassadors, Ashley Burnette and Kenny Thomas.   Together, they will travel the country visiting children's hospitals sharing their message of hope to children battling cancer. 

Hyundai President and CEO Dave Zuchowski presented U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) with a Hope Ambassador Award during the evening.  Kelly was recognized for his dedication to the fight against pediatric cancer.  Kelly serves as a founding board member of Hyundai Hope On Wheels.  A Hope Ambassador award was also presented to the talented young singer Lexi Walker.  Walker performed her cover rendition of "Let It Go" from the blockbuster-animated movie Frozen.  Her version of the song has garnered over 32 million views on YouTube.

Hope on Wheels was given official proclamations from the New York City Mayor's office as well as the Manhattan Borough President's office, each declaring April 17^th 'Hope On Wheels Day' in New York.  Additionally, a special message was read from New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, congratulating the life-saving research being completed at Hope On Wheels grant funded institutions.

Three New York-area childhood cancer institutions were presented with Scholar Hope Grants in the amount of $250,000 each. These grants will fund research projects at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. In 2014, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will present a total of 49 grants.

For more information about Hyundai Hope On Wheels, please visit www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org.

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
Hyundai Hope On Wheels^® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer.  Launched in 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels provides grants to eligible institutions nationwide that are pursuing life-saving research and innovative treatments for the disease. Primary funding for Hyundai Hope On Wheels comes from Hyundai Motor America and its more than 800 U.S. dealers.  At the end of its 16th year, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will have awarded more than $86 million towards childhood cancer research in pursuit of a cure.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Assurance includes Assurance Connected Care that provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Hyundai Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for three years. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.    

For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com
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SOURCE Hyundai Hope On Wheels