Mercedes-Benz Dealers Launch Community Stars Challenge in Spirit of 125th Anniversary of the Automobile

FYI: Mercedes-Benz Buyer's Guide

MONTVALE, NJ--Sept. 14, 2011 -- To help mark the 125th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz and its invention of the automobile, Mercedes-Benz dealers launched a social media contest to identify local community service groups doing great work.  Playing off of the 125th anniversary, the dealers are donating $125,000 to a select group of charitable organizations across the country via a unique campaign called "Community Stars."  The contest is specifically designed to bring awareness to local organizations whose efforts are often overshadowed by larger, multinational charitable organizations and NGOs.

To kick start the program, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) launched the "Community Stars" tab on its Facebook page (Mercedes-Benz Facebook) where organizations are encouraged to participate in this grass-roots opportunity.  Additionally, MBUSA Facebook fans are called to action to suggest their favorite charitable organizations as well.  

Specifically, interested parties are challenged to create and upload 60-second videos to showcase their organization and exactly how they would use the awarded funds to forward their cause.  Submissions will be accepted until 8 p.m. EDT on Friday, Sept. 23 and the organization must operate under one of the following categories: Environment & Sustainability, Health & Service, Youth Empowerment, Music & Arts or Education.

Once the videos are submitted, a committee of Mercedes-Benz employees will select 15 finalists and then beginning Oct. 3, MBUSA Facebook fans will be asked to vote through a simple voting mechanism. In a bid to better their standing, the finalists themselves will also be encouraged to drive traffic to the "Community Stars" tab by asking others outside the MBUSA network to vote for them as well.

The contest officially ends on Oct. 21 and the five "Grand Prize Winners" will be announced on Oct. 25, each receiving $25,000.