500 Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Volunteers Support 11 Metro Detroit Nonprofits during Third-Annual Week of Caring

Local communities to receive more than 3,000 hours of service during the week of September 21

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI -- Sept. 21, 2015: More than 500 volunteers will mobilize across Metropolitan Detroit to support 11 nonprofit organizations during Mercedes-Benz Financial Services' third-annual Week of Caring. Week of Caring is a week-long community service campaign that Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, a leading automotive financial services provider in the U.S., has organized for the past three years as part of its corporate commitment to making a difference in the communities where its team members live and work. The volunteer projects vary, all of which will serve the communities surrounding the company's Farmington Hills corporate headquarters.

"The Week of Caring is one of my favorite weeks of the year, because it is gratifying to see the impact our team members have when they roll up their sleeves and give back to worthy organizations doing great work," said Peter Zieringer, President and CEO, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. "In just five days, my fellow colleagues will clock more than 3,000 hours of service benefitting 11 different community partners."

"We are thrilled to partner with our longtime supporter, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, during its Week of Caring to shine a light on Detroit Vintage Coffee, a hidden treasure along one of the Detroit region's iconic corridors," said Jordan Twardy, executive director for the Eight Mile Boulevard Association (8MBA). "Detroit Vintage is one of more than 1,700 properties on Eight Mile. With the support of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, we will be able to help them better stand out on our busy corridor, so they remain a favorite destination and neighborhood hangout for years to come."

Project examples include working with underserved students and families; planting and harvesting gardens; preparing food for those in need; neighborhood cleanup and beautification; and helping build a home for deserving families. Participants will volunteer at a community project of their choice with one of the following Metro Detroit nonprofit organizations:

8 Mile Boulevard Association (Ferndale, Mich.) 8 Mile

Alternative for Girls (Detroit, Mich.) Alternatives for Girls

Beyond Basics (Southfield, Mich.) BeyondBasics

Cass Community Social Services (Detroit, Mich.) CassCommunity

Community Living Centers (Farmington, Mich.) CLHomes

Forgotten Harvest (Oak Park, Mich.) Forgotten Harvest

Greening of Detroit (Detroit, Mich.) Greening of Detroit

Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County (Pontiac, Mich.) Humanity of Oakland and Macomb County Habitat for Humanity (Mount Clemens, Mich.) Macomb County Habitat

Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan (Detroit, Mich.) Southeastern Michigan

Kids Against Hunger Coalition (Oak Park, Mich.) Kids Against Hunger

Neighborhood Service Organization (Detroit, Mich.) NSO

"While the Week of Caring takes place over five days, our commitment to social responsibility and giving back is a year-round endeavor. It is integral to how we define our corporate identity and how we do business at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services," added Zieringer.

Volunteers from the company's Business Operations Center, located in Fort Worth, Texas, are also participating in week-long projects during Week of Caring. In total, approximately 1,100 volunteers will dedicate more than 8,000 hours of volunteer service, benefitting 23 different nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2013, more than 75 volunteer projects, spanning 25,000 hours of service, will have been completed during Week of Caring.

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services is focused on building long-term partnerships with organizations committed to creating positive social change in four focus areas: Education, Community Enhancement, Arts & Culture and Diversity & Inclusion. The company provides many opportunities for team members to give back beyond the Week of Caring. For example, additional company locations in Atlanta, Ga. and Fort Mill, S.C., have volunteer opportunities scheduled for later this fall. Employees also have an individual volunteer day, during which they can spend a paid workday giving back to a nonprofit organization of their choice.

To follow the progress of Week of Caring on social media, go to: Social Media Hashtag: #everycommunitymatters, #weekofcaring, #MBFS Facebook: Facebook Instagram: @MercedesBenz_FS Twitter: @Mercedes_BenzFS