Nomination Period Now Open for 2nd Annual Honda Helpful Awards

The Southern California Honda Dealers Association Encourages Residents to
Nominate Helpful Members of the Community Whose Life would be Significantly
Improved by a New Car

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The Southern California Honda Dealers
Association, and the Helpful Honda Guys and Girls in Blue, today announced the
opening of the nomination period for the 2nd annual Honda Helpful Awards, an
exciting celebration that recognizes helpfulness among residents of Southern
California. As part of the Honda Helpful program, individuals are encouraged
to visit a participating Honda dealership or the Southern California Honda
Dealers Association website, www.SocalHonda.com, to nominate an inspiring
friend, family member, neighbor or coworker whose life, and the lives of
others, would be considerably improved by a new Honda. Each submission must
be accompanied by a written explanation outlining the reason(s) the nominee
should be awarded a car, how the car will help them bring their helpful
mission to more people, and which Honda model would aid them the most.
Submissions are open to California residents only, and the winners will be
announced during an official awards presentation in January 2009.
The Honda Helpful Awards were established to celebrate the generosity of
helpful people in Southern California, and highlight the positive impact each
make within the community. Over 600 nominations were received for the
inaugural event, which took place on January 22nd at the Santa Monica Pier,
and three winners who sacrifice their time and resources were awarded with
brand new vehicles to help them continue their work.
Amy Mallet of Goleta received a new Honda Odyssey for her efforts in
developing programs to improve the lifestyles of senior citizens.
"Since being awarded the Honda Odyssey in January, my life has gotten so
much easier," said Mallet. "I am able to do things with my seniors like take
them on trips to hospitals, doctors and vets and deliver meals -- all of which
I was never able to do with the truck I had before."
Kathryn Forest of Santa Ana was recognized for her volunteer work
educating at-risk and autistic children from low-income families. Using
public transportation for over two hours to reach the school, Forest received
a new Civic Hybrid to help her manage her commute more efficiently and spend
more time working with her students.
Josie Gavieres of Long Beach was honored for rescuing and sheltering
animals, and creating the non-profit organization B.A.R.K., which uses animal
therapy to help children learn to read. Gavieres replaced her unreliable car
with a new Honda Element, which has allowed her to bring her B.A.R.K. program
to additional locations, transport more animals at a given time, and drive
greater distances to rescue those in need of her help.
"We introduced the Honda Helpful Awards as an annual celebration of
helpfulness in our local communities, and a culmination of all the efforts by
the Southern California Honda Dealers and the Honda Helpful Guys and Girls in
Blue through the year," said Patrick Adams, managing director, Secret Weapon
Marketing. "After witnessing the dedication and gratitude of everyone
involved last year, and the amount of inquiries we've received already for
this year's event, we're looking forward to honoring more people who embody
the spirit and integrity of Honda Helpful."
In addition to online and radio advertising, the 2nd annual Honda Helpful
Awards will be promoted in participating dealerships, and everywhere the
Helpful Honda Guys and Girls in Blue are visiting in the upcoming weeks. The
Association is also working with a variety of local and national volunteer
organizations and online communities to reach a greater number of deserving
individuals.
Submissions can be presented for consideration online, through standard
mail, or in dealership entry boxes. The deadline for all nominations is
November 1st, 2008.
For more information, please visit www.SocalHonda.com.
About Honda Helpful
Launched in January 2007, Honda Helpful is an innovative and multi-layered
advertising and marketing program representing 60 dealers from various cities
across Southern California. Conceived by creative marketing agency, Secret
Weapon Marketing, Honda Helpful serves to increase awareness for individual
dealer experiences and create a unified voice through an evergreen message.
The program enhances the TV, radio and outdoor impressions by bringing its
philosophy to the streets and demonstrating the Southern California Honda
Dealers' commitment to being Helpful.
Honda Helpful has visited local beaches and parks with sunscreen packets,
lip balm and bottled water to keep people hydrated and protected from the sun;
responded to increasingly high fuel costs by targeting gas stations and
treating Honda drivers to complimentary gas; kept people dry during the rainy
season with unexpected umbrella escorts where needed; and can frequently be
seen at hardware stores and supermarkets providing eco-friendly tote bags and
assistance with carrying and loading cars for shoppers. For more information,
visit www.SocalHonda.com.
SOURCE The Southern California Honda Dealers Association

Andrea Tagliareni, andrea@kurentinc.com, Lauren Kay, lauren@kurentinc.com, or
Kristin Baker, kristin@kurentinc.com, all of KurenT, Inc., +1-310-397-9025,
for The Southern California Honda Dealers Association