Asheville, N.C., – Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai of Asheville recently donated a total of $20,000 to the Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC), an organization that uses the transformative power of sports to improve the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, in support of the Automotive Industry Running Group. A ceremonial check was presented to SONC in Asheville, North Carolina.
“Hyundai is passionate about building better communities to support our progress for humanity vision, which begins with those that we live, work and do business in,” said Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility and external relations, Hyundai Motor North America. “We are grateful for the collaboration with our journalist and dealer partners to support organizations like Special Olympics North Carolina that create opportunities and support the mission of inclusion.”
Created by automotive journalists, the Automotive Industry Running Group hosted a 15-day virtual running challenge, after which Hyundai donated $25 to SONC for every mile ran between July 15-29, up to $10,000. SONC received $10,000 after the interest group logged over 660 miles during the 15 days. Hyundai of Asheville donated an additional $10,000 to the cause.
“We created the Automotive Industry Running Group out of our passion for running and physical activity,” said Jill Ciminillo, managing editor, Pickup Truck + SUV Talk and vice president, Chicago Area Runners Association. “With the support of Hyundai and its generous donation, we are proud to see how a shared interest can transcend our journalist community and impact the broader athlete community.”
Special Olympics North Carolina offers year-round training and competition in 20 Olympic-type sports on local and state levels as well as health and wellness initiatives to improve the health status and increase access to community health resources for individuals with intellectual disabilities. As athletes are never asked to pay for their involvement in Special Olympics, this donation will ensure that athletes have quality training and competition events in the form of regional invitationals and state-level competitions.
“We’re so very grateful for Hyundai’s support as well as the innovative work of the Automotive Industry Running Group,” said Keith L. Fishburne, president and CEO, Special Olympics North Carolina. “Special Olympics athletes deserve the same quality sports experiences as anyone else. Hyundai’s support will help to ensure that happens.”
