Meador Chrysler Jeep(R) and E. Ray Elementary School Compete in National Dodge Journey...

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Fri Jun 6, 2008 11:15am EDT

Meador Chrysler Jeep(R) and E. Ray Elementary School Compete in National Dodge
Journey Drive for the Kids School Challenge
Texas Elementary School Competes Against 49 Schools Across the Country for
Grand Prize - a Cash Contribution to Support Literacy and Student Enrichment

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Meador Chrysler Jeep(R) and
the Fort Worth, Texas, community came together to support student education
programs at E. Ray Elementary School, by combining student literacy and test
drives in the Dodge Journey Drive for the Kids School Challenge on Thursday,
June 5, 2008.
    Through 175 test drives of the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the brand's
first crossover vehicle, E. Ray Elementary School raised more than $1,300. The
money raised through the Dodge Journey test drives will support the school's
education programs.
    Meador Chrysler Jeep, located in the heart of Fort Worth, partnered with
the E. Ray Elementary School and provided the vehicles to the school for the
test drives. For each test drive and completed questionnaire Chrysler donated
$5 for the first 100 test drives and $10 for each drive over 100.
    "We were excited to partner with Meador Chrysler Jeep and participate in
the Dodge Journey Drive for the Kids School Challenge," said Mya Asberry,
Principal of E. Ray Elementary School. "The money raised will directly benefit
the annual Austin trip for our fourth grade students. I am proud of the
dedication from the students, families and community members that made this a
successful event."
    In addition to the money raised, E. Ray Elementary School will participate
in a friendly competition against 49 schools across the country for the grand
prize. The school with the most test drives and completed questionnaires will
receive an additional $5,000 contribution to support its school's literacy and
student enrichment programs.
    "Chrysler is pleased to celebrate 15 years of the Drive for the Kids
program by highlighting the newest vehicle in the Dodge product line, the 2009
Journey," said Mike Accavitti, Director - Dodge Brand Marketing &
Communications. "The Dodge Journey and Drive for the Kids are about making
dreams come true, and it has been inspiring to watch this program grow. We
congratulate the students, families and friends of E. Ray Elementary School on
their outstanding performance and wish them the best of luck in the national
competition."
    About Drive for the Kids
    The Drive for the Kids national program was created in 1993 to help
parents raise money for educational and student enrichment programs. It has
been held at more than 5,000 school events, raised more than $2.8 million and
conducted more than a half million test drives. Drive for the Kids combines a
fundraiser for the school with an opportunity for parents to try out Dodge's
newest crossover, the Dodge Journey. The program is a fun and easy way for
schools to earn money to benefit students.
    Participating Schools and Dealerships

    April 16, 2008  Field Elementary                 Dick Scott Dodge
                    Canton, MI
    April 17, 2008  Bermudian Springs Middle School  Hanover Dodge Jeep
                    York Springs, PA
    April 18, 2008  Avon Elementary School           Wells Dodge Chrysler
                    Avon Park, FL
    April 18, 2008  Edison Elementary School         Minot Chrysler Center
                    Minot, ND
    April 19, 2008  Fremont Christian School         Deur Speet Motors
                    Fremont, MI
    April 19, 2008  Ellen Smith Elementary School    Superior Dodge Chrysler
                    Conway, AR                        Jeep
    April 19, 2008  Thomas Jefferson Elementary      Brickner Chrysler Center
                    Wausau, WI
    April 25, 2008  Booth Elementary School          Marc Dodge
                    Irvington, AL
    April 25, 2008  Dent-Phelps Elementary           Al West Chrysler Dodge
                    Salem, MO
    April 25, 2008  Zolfo Elementary School          English Chrysler Dodge
                    Zolfo Springs, FL                 Jeep
    April 25, 2008  Cody Elementary School           Bob Mayber Motor Co.
                    North Platte, NE
    April 25, 2008  Wilson Elementary School         Ferman Motors of Plant
                    Plant City, FL                    City
    April 25, 2008  Woodrow Wilson Elementary School Walden Motors
                    Paragould, AR
    April 26, 2008  Mt. Airy Elementary School       Altavista Motors
                    Gretna, VA
    April 27, 2008  Cather Elementary School         Baxter Chrysler Jeep
                    Omaha, NE                         Dodge
    April 28, 2008  Pierce Street Elementary School  Tupelo Auto Sales
                    Tupelo, MS
    April 29, 2008  St. John's Lutheran School       Brickner's Park City
                    Merrill, WI                       Motors, Inc.
    April 30, 2008  Eagle Heights Elementary School  Clinton Chrysler Dodge
                    Clinton, IA                       Jeep
    May 1, 2008     East Side Intermediate School    Jim Hayes, Inc.
                    Harrisburg, IL
    May 2, 2008     Lake Forest Elementary School    Benson Chrysler Dodge
                    Greenville, SC
    May 2, 2008     Belington Elementary School      Town & Country Chrysler
                    Belington, WV                     Dodge
    May 2, 2008     Clay Road Baptist School         Helfman Dodge Inc.
                    Houston, TX
    May 2, 2008     Lewiston Elementary School       Feeny Chrysler of Gaylord
                    Lewiston, MI
    May 2, 2008     Milton Middle School             B.Z. Motors
                    Milton, PA
    May 2, 2008     St. Francis Elementary School    Adamson Motors
                    Rochester, MN
    May 3, 2008     Trinity Episcopal Day School     Heritage Chrysler Dodge
                    Natchez, MS                       Jeep
    May 9, 2008     Downeast Elementary School       Bangor Chrysler Dodge
                    Bangor, ME
    May 9, 2008     St Francis Holy Angels School    Bill Marsh Automotive
                    Traverse City, MI                 Group
    May 9, 2008     Central Elementary School        Doug Smith Autoplex
                    Pleasant Grove, UT                Chrysler
    May 9, 2008     Hurlock Elementary School        Schaefer & Strominger
                    Hurlock, MD
    May 10, 2008    Odyssey Charter School           Doug Smith Autoplex
                    American Fork, UT                 Chrysler
    May 12, 2008    Hook Elementary School           Bruner Motors, Inc.
                    Stephenville, TX
    May 15, 2008    Raymond L. Young Elementary      Bill Stanford Chrysler
                    Talladega, AL                     Jeep Dodge
    May 16, 2008    Elimsport Elementary School      VanCampen Chrysler Jeep
                    Allenwood, PA                     Dodge
    May 16, 2008    St. John Elementary School       Thelen Chrysler
                    Essexville, MI
    May 16, 2008    Munford Elementary               Bill Stanford Chrysler
                    Munford, AL                       Jeep Dodge
    May 16, 2008    Country Elementary School        Pinckney Dodge Chrysler
                    Pinckney, MI                      Jeep
    May 17, 2008    Eugene Padan Elementary School   Dodge Chrysler Jeep of
                    Vacaville, CA                     Vacaville
    May 18, 2008    West Stafford Elementary School  Bolles Chrysler Dodge
                    Stafford Springs, CT              Jeep
    May 20, 2008    North Bay Elementary School      Champion Chrysler
                    Bay St. Louis, MS
    May 21, 2008    St. Michael's Elementary         Scott Preusse, Inc.
                    Morgan, MN
    May 30, 2008    Saegert Elementary School        Dodge Country
                    Killeen, TX
    May 31, 2008    Greenwood Elementary School      Millerstown Chrysler
                    Millerstown, PA
    June 1, 2008    Brocton Central School           Farrell Chrysler Dodge
                    Brocton, NY
    June 5, 2008    E. Ray Elementary School         Longhorn Dodge
                    Fort Worth, TX
    June 6, 2008    Boardmanville Elementary School  Paul Brown Dodge
                    Olean, NY
    June 12, 2008   Woodrow Wilson Elementary School Miller Motor Auto Team
                    Binghamton, NY
    June 13, 2008   David B. Crane Elementary School Cortese Dodge
                    Rochester, NY
    June 14, 2008   St. Agnes School                 Genesse Valley Motors
                    Avon, NY


    About the Dodge Journey
    The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey is the Dodge brand's first crossover
vehicle, offering a unique combination of versatility and flexibility in a
sporty, sexy package. The all-new vehicle takes the capability of a
sport-utility vehicle (SUV) and the overall efficiency of a passenger car and
blends all the best attributes of each into an all-new "right-sized" crossover
for the Dodge brand. Clever, flexible seating and storage combinations include
standard five-passenger seating with spacious cargo room and available
third-row seating for carrying up to seven passengers. Spacious storage bins,
hidden in the floor and available under the front passenger seat cushion,
combined with the standard Chill Zone for beverage storage, make Dodge Journey
incredibly flexible and functional. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
of the 2009 Dodge Journey is $19,985 (including $625 destination).
    About the Dodge Brand
    With a U.S. market share of 6.4 percent, Dodge is Chrysler LLC's
best-selling brand and the sixth largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive
market. In 2007, Dodge sold more than 1.3 million vehicles in the global
market.
    The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey arrived in dealer showrooms in the first
quarter of 2008, and will be available outside North America in both left- and
right-hand drive in mid-2008. Arriving in the spring will be the limited-
edition 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 with a 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine that
boasts 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. Later in 2008, Dodge will add
three more new vehicles to its product lineup -- the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram
with game-changing exterior and interior design, innovations,
best-in-class features and craftsmanship; the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger, a
modern interpretation of the American muscle car; and the 2009 Dodge Durango
Hybrid, a hybrid-electric vehicle that combines fuel efficient advanced hybrid
technology with full-size SUV performance and capability. Last fall, America's
best-selling minivan, the all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, arrived in
dealerships with 35 new or improved features including the newest innovation,
the Swivel 'n Go(TM) seating system. In 2007, Dodge Avenger and Nitro entered
key volume segments outside North America, joining the Dodge Caliber, the
highest sales volume vehicle for the company outside of North America.
SOURCE  Chrysler LLC

Curtrise Garner of Chrysler, +1-248-512-2712 (office), +1-248-761-8309 (cell),
cg61@chrysler.com; Melissa Clark of Strat@comm LLC, +1-248-824-8200 (office),
+1-248-756-4648 (cell), mclark@stratacomm.net
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