Kia Canada Inc. kicks off its seventh annual Drive Change initiative including third annual National Equipment Drive

2016 initiative continues to support Canadian youth through the sport of soccer with free soccer clinics in multiple locations across Canada
Drive Change launches third annual national soccer equipment drive through Kia Canada Dealers and partners

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - Kia Canada Inc. kicked off its seventh annual Drive Change initiative today, building on previous year's alignment with the sport of soccer nationally. Kia Canada along with the three Canadian Major League Soccer (MLS) teams in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal are presenting free soccer camps to assist inner city youth. Participants will develop soccer skills and gain key life skills while having fun playing one of the fastest growing team sports in Canada. For the third consecutive year, Kia Canada along with business partners and its 189 dealers nationally will conduct a National Equipment Drive collecting new and lightly used soccer equipment for donation in an effort to engage more kids and assist in providing the necessary means to play the sport. Donations can be made at Kia dealerships across Canada from August 19^th through September 30^th.

"Kia Canada is delighted to Drive Change again this year by supporting young Canadians through the beautiful sport of soccer, enabling youth to attend free clinics to develop their skills." said Ted Lancaster, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), KIA Canada Inc. "Moreover, our dealers, employees as well as our business partners will all join in support of our third annual national equipment drive, which will certainly be providing many Canadian youth with access to soccer and equipment in communities across Canada."

Earlier in July, Kia along with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) launched a four day, no-charge youth Soccer Camp. The camp was directed towards inner city youth and featured dozens of games and drills to teach kids the basics of shooting, passing, and dribbling.

Earlier this week in Toronto at the Kia Training Ground, Kia Canada along with the MLSE Foundation launched its fifth edition of KickStart featuring an eight-week soccer program in 16 Toronto Community Housing neighborhoods. The program aims to promote skill-building, community-building, and healthy active living. The program kicked off on August 16^th at the Kia Training Ground and will run until October 5^th. Kids are taking part in fun soccer activities and getting to interact with members of the TFC.

Lastly, in partnership with Montreal Impact FC, Kia Canada is proud to present a Soccer Skills Clinic for inner city youth on August 22nd. Montreal Impact FC coaches and staff will introduce youth to basic soccer drills on the same pitch where the pros play.

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About Drive Change
As the social responsibility cornerstone to the Kia Canada Inc. brand, since its inception in 2010, Drive Change has made a profound impact in communities across Canada. Canadians have made a difference by coordinating food drives, lending a hand at a local shelter, public park cleanups and helped contribute to what Drive Change Day stands for. Drive Change is about making a difference, no matter how big or small the initiative is. Kia Canada regional and head office employees will participate in the third annual national equipment drive. The national dealer network comprising of 189 dealers will support Drive Change in 2016 clearly demonstrating the company's compassionate commitment to the initiative. For more information visit www.kia.ca/drivechange and make a donation of new and lightly used equipment at Kia dealers across Canada.

Kia Canada Inc. (www.kia.ca – www.facebook.com/kiacanada) ,a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart is a subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) which was founded in 1999 and sells and services high quality, class leading vehicles like the Soul, Forte, Optima and Sorento through a network of 189 dealers nationwide. Kia Canada Inc. employs 154 people in its Mississauga, Ontario headquarters and four regional offices across Canada, including a state-of-the-art facility in Montreal. Kia's brand slogan "The Power to Surprise" represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting & inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.

SOURCE KIA Canada Inc.

CONTACT: John Adzija, National Manager, Corporate Communications & Corporate Partnerships, Kia Canada Inc., T: 905-755-6266, C: 905-301-6207, E: jadzija@kia.ca; Maxime Surette, Product Communications Manager, Kia Canada Inc., T: 905-755-6272, C: 416-316-3313, E: msurette@kia.ca