Hyundai Motor America Partners With Focus: HOPE To Donate 1,000 Winter Coats To Underprivileged Youth And Adults In Southeast Michigan

2013 marks Hyundai's fourth year in its partnership with Focus: HOPE; The coat donation and $10,000 gift are part of the automaker's activities during the NAIAS in Detroit

DETROIT--Jan. 18, 2013: Hyundai Motor America recently donated 1,000 winter coats and $10,000 in cash to the Detroit-based community organization, Focus: HOPE, as part of its activities for the 2013 North American International Auto Show. The coats were distributed to underprivilegedyouth and adults from Southeast Michigan during a special event and check presentation on Saturday, January 12. More than 100 community members joined Focus: HOPE's CEO, William F. Jones, Jr., representatives from Hyundai Motor America and the South Michigan Hyundai dealers at the event at Focus: HOPE's campus in Detroit.

Hyundai's $10,000 gift will benefit the Eleanor M. Josaitis Fund for Focus: HOPE, in honor of the late co-founder's life, her extraordinary commitment to justice and the community development of Detroit throughout her life. The fund supports programs to revitalize the community and provide educational and professional training opportunities to its residents.

"At Hyundai, we are committed to improving the communities in which we live and do business and we are honored to partner with Focus: HOPE to help improve the lives of the residents of Detroit and its surrounding communities," said Zafar Brooks, Director of General Affairs, Hyundai Motor America.  "We commend Focus: HOPE for continuing the important work of its founders, Father William Cunningham and Eleanor Josaitis, to overcome racism, poverty and injustice."

Focus: HOPE is a nationally renowned civil and human rights community organization that serves the Southeast Michigan communities through its food program, career training programs, and HOPE Village Initiative. Since the organization's founding 43 years ago, Focus: HOPE has operated under its mission to pledge intelligent and practical action to overcome racism, poverty and injustice. To date, Hyundai has donated $40,000 and 4,000 coats to Focus: HOPE to benefit underprivileged residents in the communities it serves.

"Our partnership with Hyundai has become rooted in our community over the last four years and we are very grateful for this valuable relationship and their ongoing support," said William F. Jones, Jr., CEO of Focus: HOPE.  "Their generous monetary donation is really appreciated as it supports our job training and community initiatives. But the donation of 1,000 coats each year really touches our hearts and is a very practical solution to the challenges of poverty in our area.  You don't realize how valuable a warm coat is until you don't have one, or you don't have one for your child."

To learn more about Focus: HOPE, visit Focus Hope.

Focus: HOPE is a nationally recognized civil and human rights organization in Detroit founded in 1968 after the Detroit riots. Throughout the years, Focus: HOPE developed numerous programs in its efforts to overcome racism, poverty and injustice, including food, career training, and community development programs. Through Focus: HOPE, thousands of individuals -- especially women and minorities -- have become financially independent. Visit Focus Shop.