Hyundai Motor America's Zafar Brooks Named As CSR Professional Of The Year By PR News

COSTA MESA, Calif., May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America's Zafar Brooks, director of corporate social responsibility and diversity inclusion, has been named to PR News' 2012 esteemed list of CSR Professionals of the Year for his work with the company's pediatric cancer nonprofit, Hyundai Hope On Wheels®.  Additionally, Hyundai Motor America and Finn Partners, its program management and PR agency for Hope On Wheels, received Honorable Mention for PR News' CSR Award in the Philanthropy Communications category for their work during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

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"I am thrilled to learn of this recognition for Zafar Brooks and his work with pediatric cancer," said Dr. Leonard Sender, Medical Director of the Cancer Institute at Children's Hospital of Orange County.  "Zafar has been a passionate advocate on behalf of and is literally helping to transform the field.  Under his leadership, the contributions of Hope On Wheels have been remarkable, and we commend the automaker and its dealers for joining this cause with such a high level of commitment."

In 2011, Hope On Wheels donated $20 million to pediatric cancer research, its largest donation year to date.  As part of the efforts led by Mr. Brooks, in May 2011 the program awarded its largest single grant - $10 million - to launch the Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC Children's in Orange County, which will study innovative approaches to understanding the disease through genomic medicine research. Additionally, during National Childhood Cancer Awareness month, Hope On Wheels executed 71 check presentation events, called Handprint Ceremonies, donating a total of $7.1 million to pediatric cancer organizations in September alone.  

"We congratulate Zafar for being selected by PR News as one of its CSR Professionals of the Year," said John Krafcik, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor America.  "Far too many children and families are affected by pediatric cancer.  At Hyundai, our goal is to eradicate this horrible disease.  Zafar is dedicated to this cause and works tirelessly on behalf of the children.  We are pleased by this peer recognition for his hard work."

Besides Hope On Wheels, Mr. Brooks has implemented a variety of other CSR programs at Hyundai focused on education, environment, driver safety, and community goodwill.  His work includes program partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, Mind Research (Math Labs), Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Every 15 Minutes, Focus Hope, ACT-SO, Los Angeles Black MBA, TELACU, The King Center for Non-violence, Fountain Valley School District, Share Our Selves, and NCLR.  Mr. Brooks also spearheaded Hyundai's $1 million donation to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Project Fund in August 2011 for the creation of the Martin Luther King Jr. Monument in Washington, DC.

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

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
Hyundai Hope On Wheels® is the united effort of Hyundai Motor America and its more than 800 dealers across the U.S. to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to celebrate the lives of children battling the disease. For 2012, Hyundai Hope On Wheels plans to surpass $57 million in total donations to childhood cancer research since the program began in 1998. Hyundai Hope On Wheels is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

ABOUT FINN PARTNERS
Finn Partners builds on the outstanding legacy of Ruder Finn while shaping a bold new future in which innovation and partnership are strong drivers of the brand. Finn Partners specializes in the full spectrum of public relations services, including digital and social media. Our specialty areas include technology, consumer, travel/economic development, global issues, arts and public and corporate affairs. Headquartered in New York City, the company has regional operations in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and Jerusalem, and leverages international capabilities via Ruder Finn's global network of offices and affiliates. Find us at www.finnpartners.com and follow us on Twitter @finnpartners.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America