DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Delray Community House

* New gymnasium to be named in honor of retiring UAW-DaimlerChrysler Vice President Nate Gooden * State-of-the-art computer lab developed for Delray residents

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 23 -- Residents of the Southwest Detroit Delray community will enjoy a newly renovated community center with a state-of-the-art computer lab and gymnasium at the Delray Neighborhood House thanks to a partnership between the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund and the People's Community Services, the parent organization of Delray.

The new computer lab, which previously had six older model computers, now houses 12 brand-new computer terminals and a new color printer. The gymnasium, which underwent a complete makeover that included stripping of the floors and new paint, now has new lights, hoops and backboards.

Delray Neighborhood House is a community center that provides social and educational resources for the surrounding community, including health and welfare courses, field trips and summer camps. The new gymnasium will be named in honor of UAW Vice President Nate Gooden, director of the Union's DaimlerChrysler department and DaimlerChrysler AG Supervisory Board Member. Gooden will retire on June 30 after 39 years of elected service.

The Delray Neighborhood House was selected last year as one of the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund's community initiatives by Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda. Since then, the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund invested $112,000 to help make the necessary improvements to the community center, volunteers from Chrysler Group helped assemble a playscape on the grounds for the neighborhood children and Chrysler Group donated a Dodge Sprinter van to help with the logistics of transporting residents.

"At Chrysler Group, we have a passion for helping support the communities where we work and live," said LaSorda. "And there's no better way to help this community than by partnering with the Delray Neighborhood House to build a 'home away from home' for hundreds of children in Southwest Detroit."

Chrysler Group, with leadership from LaSorda, also formed the "Friends of Delray Neighborhood House" initiative to help provide additional financial resources and increase volunteerism and programming at Delray House.

"The Delray Neighborhood House appreciates the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund, the City of Detroit Recreation Department and other funding sources for their assistance in the redevelopment of our community center and Southwest Detroit," said Tom Cervenek, Executive Director of People's Community Services. "The new gym and the computer lab are great and Chrysler Group's generosity and commitment to restoring the Delray House will benefit the community for years to come."

The Delray Neighborhood House is a division of People's Community Services, which is celebrating 50 years of community service. The Delray Neighborhood House currently is undergoing a 6,000-square-foot expansion, which includes a new community room, counseling offices, computer lab, and Detroit Police Sub-Station. The center serves more than 600 youth in the Southwest neighborhood.

The refurbishing of the Delray Neighborhood House is just the latest in a long, cooperative partnership with the City of Detroit.

Chrysler Group's operations in the metropolitan Detroit area include the Jefferson North Assembly Plant, Warren Truck Assembly Plant, Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, Mack Engine Assembly Plants I and II, Detroit Axle, Warren Stamping Plant, Sterling Heights Stamping Plant, Mt. Elliott Tool and Die, Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA), Plymouth Road Office Complex, Conner Avenue Assembly Plant, Chelsea Proving Grounds and Trenton Engine Plant. In addition, the U.S.-based corporate headquarters also are located in Auburn Hills, Mich. Since 2003, the Company has invested more than $2.1 billion in its Detroit-area facilities and employs 26,700 statewide.

Now in its 54th year, the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund is the primary source of charitable grants made by DaimlerChrysler Corporation. The Fund annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations with an emphasis on community growth and enrichment, arts and culture, education, and youth development programs throughout the United States and, increasingly, the world.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Additional information and news from DaimlerChrysler is available on the Internet at: http://media.daimlerchrysler.com .