2012/08/23

Kia Canada Inc. celebrates second annual Drive Change Day

KIA CANADA - Kia Canada Inc. was pleased to celebrate its second annual Drive Change Day, on August 21st, 2012, which promoted making positive change in local communities across Canada.

As part of the Drive Change Day initiatives, Kia Canada staff, dealers, partners, customers and Canadians dedicated a large effort to supporting communities nationally. Over 2,000 initiatives engaged Canadians on or before Drive Change Day, among contest entries, acts of kindness and 315 Drive Change events that were reported through the www.DriveChangeWithKia.ca website.

Assisting with Drive Change activities were Shaw Media personalities Rick Campanelli from Entertainment Tonight Canada and Peter Fallico from HGTV. These television personalities were actively involved in their communities supporting Drive Change Day. Rick Campanelli was present at The Scott Mission in Toronto with Kia Canada Inc. President and CEO and Vice President and COO along with other Kia Canada employees. They were serving warm meals and handing out other charitable items to those in need in the downtown Toronto area. Peter Fallico participated in a facility clean up event with the Kinmount Boys and Girls Club for the KidSafe Society Project in Vancouver, BC. Kia Canada's Quebec region dealerships, in partnership with TVA, François Tremblay and Anouk Meunier, handed out over 6,600 trees at Expo Québec, in Québec City, to beautify the landscape locally and improve Canada's ecological footprint. Additionally, Chef Michael Smith conducted an informative cooking demonstration on using fresh, organic food in Pisquid, PEI, including a donation of non-perishable items for the Salvation Army and its Pantry Program. All prepared food was donated to the local food bank. Catherine Marion hosted a fitness for families program in Ottawa, ON, while raising funds for Camp Quality - a camp for children with cancer.

"Kia Canada is ecstatic with the results of our second annual Drive Change Day. The response from our entire dealer network, partners and Canadians at large displayed the compelling nature of Drive Change and how together we can make a difference in our local communities," said Maria Soklis, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (COO), Kia Canada Inc. "On behalf of Kia Canada, I would like to send a heartfelt thank you to all who participated."

Kia Canada regional and head office employees participated in numerous events throughout their local communities on August 21st, with head office staff supporting three local events in the city of Mississauga, ON. Furthermore, Kia Canada is proud to report participation of their entire dealer network. Kia Canada's 176 dealerships held a unique initiative in their own communities reflecting their compassion and demonstrating their commitment through their involvement.

Kia Canada will be awarding one of four regional $10,000 prizes to benefit a nominated charity submitted by over 1,000 contest entrants on www.DriveChangeWithKia.ca. These prizes will be determined through a thorough process by the Drive Change Day committee and awarded in coming weeks.