Yazaki North America Supporting Detroit Youth Through P.A.L.
18 June 2000
CANTON, Mich. - Yazaki North America, Inc., a leading supplier of vehicle
power and data solutions to the automotive industry, announced that it has
significantly raised its level of commitment to the PPG Neon Charity Challenge
to that of presenting sponsor. This is the second year that YNA has supported
the charity event, which returns to the Motor City this weekend in conjunction
with the Tenneco Automotive Detroit Grand Prix. The Detroit Police Athletic
League (PAL) will be the recipient of the monies raised from the event.
"The children of today are the leaders, scholars, and engineers of
tomorrow," said Tetsuro Suzuki, YNA president and CEO. "YNA not only agrees
with that philosophy, but puts it into practice by supporting events such as
the Challenge which directly benefits those children."
Suzuki will provide a very visible demonstration of YNA's support by
actually driving in the event, which includes other celebrity drivers such as
WJR's Paul W. Smith, Floyd Hall, former chairman of K-Mart Corporation, and
Detroit Police Chief Benny Napoleon. Twenty-five drivers will be taking to
the streets on Saturday, June 17 at 3:15 p.m., and Sunday, June 18 at
9:45 a.m. Each race lasts approximately half an hour.
PAL is an organization devoted to supporting inner city children.
Annually, they help over 10,000 children by providing educational and
recreational opportunities to develop the skills necessary to be an amiable
and beneficial members of the community. Currently, PAL runs 15 sports
programs, seven tutorial programs, and two activity centers in Detroit. In
the summer, day camps are available as well. Nearly $260,000.00 was raised
for PAL by the 1999 PPG Neon Charity Challenge Detroit race.
The PPG Neon Charity Challenge Presented by Yazaki is one of the most
visible grassroots racing programs in the United States. Since 1994, the
racing series has raised more than $1 million. Through this venue local
media, civic leaders, and corporate personalities have the opportunity to
experience the thrill of driving a racecar while giving to back to their
community.
YNA is a strong supporter of activities designed to assist youth in the
development of skills that will enable them succeed in life. Other activities
include sponsoring the SAE Micro Electric Vehicle Challenge, an engineering
competition among high school students; and the Formula SAE, a more complex
event for college seniors. Both events require the design and manufacture of
a working vehicle. YNA has also established an endowment fund with the Canton
Community Foundation that provides scholarship opportunities for Canton area
youth.
Yazaki Corporation is a global leader in the development and manufacturing
of vehicle power and data solutions, and is continually researching and
developing advanced electronic technologies for vehicles. Yazaki produces
electrical distribution systems, fiber-optics, advanced networking,
instrumentation, junction blocks, connector systems, electronics and advanced
technology.
Worldwide, the company employs nearly 100,000 people in 31 countries,
1,400 of whom are based in the company's new North American corporate
headquarters/research center campus in Canton, Mich.
