Auto Dealer Benefits Technician Scholarship

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill., April 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Automotive
technology students at Carl Schurz High School have become the latest
beneficiaries of Chicagoland Dealers Care, a charitable arm of the Chicago
Automobile Trade Association. The new-car dealer group was approached by John
and Lisa Weinberger of Continental Auto Sports in Hinsdale, Ill., to augment
the couple's ongoing generosity and active personal participation in this
worthwhile area program.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090407/DE96085)

"We've been so very blessed and wanted to find a way to give back to the
community in a meaningful and lasting manner," said John Weinberger. "Our
thought was since I was a mechanic before becoming a dealer, a program to
train young men and women as technicians would be our best avenue of approach.
Through Jim Butcher of Automotive Youth Education Services, we identified a
program at Schurz High School that was in need of funding. It was a perfect
match."

Chicagoland Dealers Care added $1,500 to the Weinberger's generous
contributions.

"We congratulate John and Lisa for their support of a curriculum that helps
create a path to a lifelong career," said John Phelan, chairman of the CATA.
"Our dealerships are in constant need of top-flight technicians and programs
like this are an integral part of supplying them."

The Schurz High School ASE-certified automotive technology courses are part of
the Automotive Youth Educational Systems that provide internships and
partnerships with car dealerships, manufacturers and post-secondary
institutions. Managed and taught by Clairene Terry, Schurz is the only high
school in Chicago that offers an ASE-Certified automotive program, and is
partnered with Truman College for students wishing to go on for a degree.

"I'd always had a dream to teach an after school program and to establish an
automotive academy," said Terry. "The piece of the pie that was missing was
monetary support. I'm so thankful to the Weinbergers, the school
administration and the CATA for their help. Also, we've now been granted
academy status city-wide, which is a great boost for our future."

The Weinberger Scholarships will provide $500 each to five students who choose
a major in automotive technology or business at the school of their choice.
Additionally, the Weinbergers will support one other student with a
scholarship of up to $10,000 a year for a maximum of four years.

"This is a program that's right from John's heart and represents who he is,"
said Lisa Weinberger. "Our goal is not just to fund these students, but to
become part of their extended family."

Chicagoland Dealers Care is a part of the CATA's First Look for Charity
Foundation with a mission of building upon the charitable efforts of the
group's new-car dealers in their local communities. Dealers already perform
vital support of community charities and this program is designed to enhance
that support.

SOURCE Chicago Automobile Trade Assoc.

Paul Brian of Chicago Automobile Trade Assoc., +1-630-424-6069, +1-
708-790-2747 (cell)