National Press Release

PONTIAC, Mich., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Pontiac children and families in need will receive a new community playground as part of a national movement to provide a great place to play within walking distances of every child in America, thanks to national non-profit KaBOOM! and generous help from the Chrysler Jeep Superstores, Motor City Dodge Dealers, Chrysler Financial and the City of Pontiac.

The national movement uses the "power of play" to build common ground and stronger communities. The playground was awarded to Pontiac to be built at Oakland Park on Glenwood Avenue in Pontiac. The site was applied for by the Lighthouse Community Development Organization of Oakland County, a non-profit agency that helps low-income individuals and families in need, and the city of Pontiac. The announcement was made by Chrysler Jeep Superstores Advertising Association President Jim Schebil and Motor City Dodge Dealers President Mark Snethkamp.

Pontiac will receive the second playground in metro Detroit built by KaBOOM!, Chrysler Jeep Superstores, the Motor City Dodge Dealers, The Chrysler Foundation and Chrysler Financial. A playground in Sterling Heights is in the design phase and will be built Saturday, July 19th.

"Chrysler Jeep Superstores is honored to be a part of such an important effort," Schebil said. "Every child deserves the joy of play and friendship in their lives; and every family deserves the support that a strong community network provides."

"This project provides these things and more to the city of Pontiac and is directly in line with the Chrysler Jeep Superstores long history of strong hometown community involvement," he said.

"The Motor City Dodge Dealers are excited to support an effort that puts our children and community first," Snethkamp said. "Our stores have been vital members of the communities they serve for decades, so we understand that bringing people together in a positive and fun way is the basic building block needed to create strong communities."

The Pontiac playground project will kick off at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24 at the Ruth Peterson Community Center with "Design Day," where children from the area will put crayon to paper and draw their dream playgrounds. The drawings will be the basis for the final design for a new community playground to be built in one day on August 14th with the help of a team of volunteers.

"Playgrounds are often the place where a child's first memories are formed," said Darell Hammond, KaBOOM! CEO and Co-Founder. "We're thrilled to have the support of the Chrysler Jeep Superstores and the Motor City Dodge Dealers in building this vital meeting place for the Pontiac community. Together, we can build a playground that will truly make a difference to a great number of people."

About KaBOOM!: KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Since 1995, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct more than 1,400 new playgrounds, skate parks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America. KaBOOM! also offers a variety of resources, including an online community, regional and national trainings, grants, publications and the KaBOOM! National Campaign for Play, which includes Playful City USA and the Playmaker Network -- a national network of individual advocates for play. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBOOM! also has offices in Chicago and San Mateo, Calif. For more information, visit www.kaboom.org .

About Chrysler Jeep Superstores: The Chrysler Jeep Superstores Advertising Association is a group of 39 independently owned Chrysler Jeep Superstores in Southeast Michigan from Monroe to Fowlerville and from Clinton to Port Huron. To find out more, visit: www.chryslerjeepsuperstores.com .

About the Motor City Dodge Dealers: The Motor City Dodge Dealers is a group of 35 independently owned Dodge retail locations in Southeast Michigan from Monroe to Fowlerville and from Clinton to Port Huron. To find out more, visit: www.motorcitydodgedealer.com .

SOURCE Chrysler Jeep Superstores and Motor City Dodge Dealers