Mopar Delivers Baby Items and Cash Donation from The Chrysler Foundation to Southeast Michigan Families In Need

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 23, 2013 /3BL Media/ PRNewswire/ -- Christmas came early for a local United Way referral organization.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130823/DE68536 )

Hundreds of baby supplies were delivered to Southeastern Michigan Indians Inc. (SEMII). The items, donated by Chrysler Group LLC employees, were collected and delivered by employees from Mopar, Chrysler Group's service parts and customer-care brand. Donated supplies included baby clothes, books, toys, strollers, diapers, and bottles. The Chrysler Foundation, the charitable arm of Chrysler Group, also provided a $7,500 grant to assist SEMII with the purchase of additional items for infants. 

"All of these items will be put to good use by families in our community," said Sue Franklin, Executive Director of SEMII. "We are grateful to all of the people at Chrysler and Mopar for their time, effort and donations."

As part of a company-wide effort with United Way, Mopar continues its work with SEMII, which is located two blocks from Mopar's main parts distribution facility in Center Line, Mich. The organization provides social services to Native Americans and Macomb County, Mich. residents. Last year, Mopar volunteers repainted the organization's cultural center and sponsored a "Dress for Success" clothing drive to provide professional attire to those in need.

"At Mopar, our mission is to fully support our customers and our brands," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO, Mopar. "With that same passion, we want to support people in our community and make a difference."

"It's always very heart-warming to lend a hand to our neighbors, especially when they're young children with a world of possibilities ahead of them," said Jody Trapasso, President – The Chrysler Foundation.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan
United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Campaign and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.LiveUnitedSEM.org.

The Chrysler Foundation 
The Chrysler Foundation, the charitable arm of Chrysler Group LLC, has established a proud legacy of empowering people in the communities where we live and work. The Chrysler Foundation focuses on four key areas through its grant application process and volunteer activities: Education: K-12 and post-secondary education initiatives that encourage the study and pursuit of careers in business, design, science, technology, engineering, mathematics or supply-chain management; Military: support for our nation's service members and their families in need; Multicultural / Diversity: initiatives that promote inclusion and advancement opportunities for diverse populations; and Youth Development: organizations and programs that provide mentoring and related assistance to aid youth in the transition to adulthood.

Since its inception in 1953, The Chrysler Foundation has awarded more than $500 million in charitable grants.

Mopar Brand
Mopar is Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand and distributes 280,000 parts and accessories. With the creation of the industrial alliance between Chrysler Group and Fiat SpA, Mopar is extending its global reach, integrating service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance dealer and customer support worldwide. Mopar's global portfolio includes more than 500,000 parts and accessories that are distributed in more than 130 markets. Mopar is the source for genuine parts and accessories for Chrysler Group brands as well as Fiat brands.

Mopar parts are unique in that they are engineered with the same teams that create factory-authorized vehicle specifications for Chrysler Group and Fiat vehicles – a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. A complete list of Mopar accessories and performance parts is available at www.mopar.com.

Mopar-first Features
Mopar has introduced numerous industry-first features including:

• Vehicle-information apps: first to introduce smartphone vehicle-information applications, a new channel of communication with customers
• Electronic owner manuals: first to introduce traditional owner manuals in a DVD and brief user-guide format. First to offer complete vehicle-information kits in Spanish
•  Wi-Fi: first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot
• Wireless charging: first to introduce in-vehicle wireless charging for portable devices
• Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS): first to market with interactive vehicle tracking device that sends owner a text when vehicle is driven too fast or too far based on pre-set parameters
• wiAdvisor: first to provide factory-connected tablet technology in the service lane for instant vehicle diagnosis
• wiTech: first to support vehicle diagnosis and software updates leveraging off-the-shelf personal computers and a dedicated wireless tool network
• 2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak: first to introduce a 500-plus cubic-inch V-10 drag-race package car

More than 75 Years of Mopar
Mopar (a simple contraction of the words Motor and PARts) was trademarked for antifreeze product in 1937. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s – the muscle-car era. The former Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth "package cars" equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of "special parts" for super-stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use. The brand has expanded to include technical service and customer support.

For more information, please visit the Chrysler media site at http://www.media.chrysler.com.

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