Denver, Colo. –

FOR RELEASE: January 28, 2002

General Motors to Help Make Dreams Come True at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games -- Steamboat Springs, Colo., Child Heading to Salt Lake City

Denver, Colo. –In February, thousands of athletes from around the world will converge on Salt Lake City to live out their dreams.

One very special child from Colorado will also be there to fulfill his dream, Feb. 12 to Feb. 16, thanks to the generosity of the General Motors Corporation (GM), the official domestic automotive sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team through 2004.

Experiencing the thrill of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games will be eight Make-A-Wish Foundation® children and their families, including Steamboat Springs, Colo., resident, Christopher Ruff, 15.

Christopher is eagerly anticipating seeing the world’s finest hockey players gather to compete for the Gold Medal. Before developing a debilitating autoimmune disorder, Christopher took fifth place in the Colorado State Qualifying Hockey Tryouts. The 10th grader – who holds a 4.0 GPA, was elected president of his class and voted the student with the most school spirit – hopes one day to play hockey for a Division I college team. Says Christopher of his wish to attend the Salt Lake City Games, “I just want to watch great hockey at the Olympics!”

Wishes granted during the Games will include Opening and Closing Ceremonies, competitions and opportunities to meet Olympians. All the children and their families will spend five days in Salt Lake City, courtesy of GM.

“We’re really inspired by the stories of these special children,” says Steve Tihanyi, Director of Marketing Alliances & Regional Operations for GM. “Their courage, character, and strength are qualities that represent the true Olympic Spirit and we’re happy that we can support them in achieving their own, very personal Olympic dreams.”

General Motors is “Driving” the Games

General Motors, the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer and official domestic automotive partner of the U.S. Olympic team through 2004, designs, builds, and markets cars and trucks worldwide. By providing transportation solutions for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games through its significant commitments to the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC), GM is helping to bring the Olympic Spirit to communities everywhere.

“Making Smiles Standard Equipment sm”

Together, the International Union, UAW and GM are committed to the largest sponsorship in the history of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and have helped to grant hundreds of children’s wishes all across America. The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

In support of this sponsorship, GM employees and GM dealers in communities around the country have personally committed to volunteerism, fundraising and wish granting… truly making smiles standard equipment for these courageous children.

UAW-GM’s support comes from the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources, which develops and administers education, training and retraining programs and joint activities for approximately 140,000 UAW-represented GM employees.

###