In Southeast Michigan: One Child + One Toy = Hours of Priceless Smiles

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, Chrysler Group LLC employees and The Chrysler Foundation teamed up to deliver toys and hours of priceless smiles to children in need throughout Southeast Michigan.

Between Dec. 5 and Dec. 15., Chrysler Group employees, located throughout the company's Auburn Hills and Trenton facilities, donated new, unwrapped toys to benefit local charities in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties. In total, 1,200 toys were distributed to children through Focus: HOPE Detroit, The Salvation Army of Macomb County, the Baldwin Center in Pontiac and Lighthouse of Oakland County.

"At Chrysler, we believe it's our duty to invest in the health and welfare of the communities in which we live and work,"  said Jody Trapasso, President – The Chrysler Foundation. "This holiday season, we hope to spread holiday cheer to children and their families in Southeast Michigan -- one child, one toy at a time to create hours of priceless smiles."

Wayne County: The Chrysler Group sleigh made its first stop Dec. 15 at Focus: HOPE in Detroit, where approximately 125 children enrolled in the agency's pre-school and afterschool programs attended a Chrysler Group-sponsored Winterfest Holiday Party. During the party, each child received a gift from their wish list and photo with Santa Claus. The event also featured a visit from "Belle," a 1-and-a-half-year-old reindeer, cookie & cupcake decorating, face painting, games and a free car seat and bike helmet fitting and giveaway.

Macomb County: Chrysler Group employees delivered a sleigh-load of toys Dec. 16 to The Salvation Army of Macomb County. Employees also assisted in the setup of a "toy shop," which low-income families will be invited to visit on Dec. 21 and 22.

Oakland County: After delivering toys to Lighthouse of Oakland County Dec. 16, the Chrysler Group sleigh made its final stop at the Baldwin Center in Pontiac. The Chrysler Foundation and the Baldwin Center hosted a Winterfest Holiday Party for 125 children and their families. Each child received a photo with Santa Claus and a gift. The event also featured a pizza party, a reindeer named "Clara," face painting and arts & crafts.

About The Chrysler Foundation
The Chrysler Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Chrysler Group LLC, was established in 1953 as a non-profit entity, which has the sole purpose of enriching the physical, educational and cultural needs of its communities, including arts and culture, education, diversity, youth development and disaster relief. Many of these initiatives also involved volunteer and in-kind support from Chrysler Group employees, retirees and dealers.

In 2011, Chrysler employees volunteered several thousand hours of their time to non-profit agencies located primarily within the company's U.S. manufacturing footprint. The projects ranged from one-on-one mentoring of children in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters to seasonal clean-up and site improvement at local community centers. In total, these projects touched the lives of over 208,000 community residents in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC