DaimlerChrysler Services Joins in the Celebration of the 240th Anniversary of Philadelphia's German Society

DaimlerChrysler Services is Recognized for $25,000 Donation to the German Society of Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 5 -- One of the oldest ethnic institutions in America, the German Society of Pennsylvania, announces today its 240th anniversary celebration October 8-10. To celebrate, the German Society is hosting three days of entertainment and educational events that are open to the public. The German Society will recognize DaimlerChrysler Services for its $25,000 donation during its gala event on Oct. 8. Proceeds from the donation will help ensure the continued success of this historic organization.

"DaimlerChrysler Services together with the German Society of Pennsylvania is committed to making a positive difference in Philadelphia's communities," said Brent Black, Senior Manager - Philadelphia Customer Contact Center for DaimlerChrysler Services. "This partnership complements our deep appreciation for the rich cultural tradition that lies within this great community and the center's German-American heritage month celebration."

Employees will have the opportunity to learn more about the German- American heritage as the historical society opens up its birthplace to the public. The historic site includes a library with the largest private German- language book collection in the United States with 70,000 volumes. There is much to be learned, as Philadelphia is home to the first German settlement, dating back to 1683 and the census shows that more than 60 million Americans are of German decent.

The society's series of events include a black-tie fundraising dinner and dance, Dixieland concert by BLAMU (a world-renowned brass band from Weimar, Germany), Wurstfest focusing on Philadelphia's own beer-brewing history, German wine tasting and the Philadelphia Wister Quartet's classical music concert. This celebration is a grand opportunity to visit the Society's historical mansion at 611 Spring Garden Street. Participants can see a contemporary and traditional Dresden Porcelain exhibit in the Society's Joseph Horner Memorial Library.

The fundraising reception launches the celebration on Friday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. and will include dinner, a silent auction and ballroom dancing. The cost is $120 per person.

Beginning at noon on Saturday, Oct. 9 the Society will host a tasty Bier and Wurstfest in the Oktoberfest tradition. The Philadelphia brewing industry will host a talk and the BLAMU band will perform. The cost is $50 for the entire event.

Festivities on Sunday, Oct. 10 will conclude the events with a wine tasting at 1 p.m. in the Society's Ratskeller, followed by the Wister Quartet's concert. Moore Bros. Company, importer of fine German wines from the Rhines and Mosel regions, will support the tasting. The Wister Quartet will introduce the Society's 2004-05 concert series in its Albert and Hete Barthelmes Auditorium. Tickets for the wine tasting and Wister concert are $40.

For more information on the German Society of Pennsylvania, or to make reservations, call 215-627-2332, Ext. 10 or e-mail your request to contact@germansociety.org .

About DaimlerChrysler Services North America

DaimlerChrysler Services is the automotive finance arm of DaimlerChrysler Corporation in North America and has more than 5,500 employees who manage a portfolio of $85 billion with nearly five million contracts. Locally, the Philadelphia Customer Contact Center provides customer and titling services for more than 3.3 million Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge customers a year. More than 600 center employees support customer account holders in the areas of Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Memphis and Minneapolis.