Pre-Father's Day Event: Dallas Cowboys' Jason Witten and FRAM® Team Up to Teach Car Care Skills to Dads and Their Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas

LAKE FOREST, Ill., June 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Car Care Council's top tip to parents of teen drivers: Ensure that your young drivers know basic preventive maintenance to keep them safe on the road. With this in mind, FRAM®, a leading U.S. oil filter manufacturer, teamed up with the Dallas Cowboys' Jason Witten and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas for a pre-Father's Day event called FRAM Ready to Role, a nationwide initiative aimed at instilling confidence in today's youth through hands-on car maintenance instruction and mentorship opportunities.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120609/DA21306)

"Unlike in past generations, most youth today aren't being taught do-it-yourself car care skills. We're aiming to change that," said Rich Fleming, vice president of sales and marketing for FRAM. "The goal of FRAM Ready to Role is to reignite an 'under the hood' passion and build confidence in at-risk youth – to give these young men and women skills they can use both on their car and in life."

During the four-hour event, hosted at the Dallas Walmart Supercenter off Cockrell Hill Rd. and I-30, FRAM master technicians and NFL star Jason Witten taught the fundamentals of car maintenance to dads and their kids from across Dallas, and more than 40 Boys & Girls Club members ages 11 to 14 who participate in the Passport to Manhood health and life skills program.

In between working on cars, the young men spent time discussing vehicles and life with the technicians, Witten and National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) driver Spencer Massey.

"We know our ability to reach out to young people depends on the availability of quality mentors. That's why we create opportunities for them to be exposed to engaging mentoring relationships," said Charles English, president and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas. "The FRAM Ready to Role program teaches our kids confidence-building skills that can have a significant impact on their self-esteem later in life. At the same time, successful mentors show them they can achieve anything they put their minds to."

Each Club member received a personal car-care kit so they can start working under the hood of their own family vehicles. FRAM also presented a $5,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas to support summer programming.

The event was open to the public, with more than 150 sons, daughters and parents in attendance to kick off Father's Day celebrations a week early. Dads who brought their son or daughter to learn about car maintenance also received a personal car-care kit and could meet with Dallas Cowboy Jason Witten.  

For more information on how to easily care for your vehicle, visit www.fram.com. To learn more about how to become a Boys & Girls Club member or volunteer, visit www.bgca.org.

About FRAM®
Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., FRAM® is a leading consumer choice for oil filters in the United States. FRAM manufactures and markets a variety of quality oil, air and fuel filters, as well as many automotive accessories such as PCV valves, crankcase filters and transmission modulators. For more information about FRAM and FRAM products, please go to www.FRAM.com.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas
Since 1965, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas (BGCD) has been a leader in the development of Dallas youth, opening doors that are often closed to young people from disadvantaged economic, social and family circumstances. BGCD is dedicated to ensuring that the community's youth have greater access to quality programs and services that enhance their lives and shape their future.

SOURCE FRAM