MARKHAM, ON , March 7, 2022 /CNW/ – More than 40 Hyundai dealers from coast to coast have answered the call to fight youth homelessness by donating more than $100,000 to 360ºkids in support of the organization’s ninth annual 360ºExperience fundraiser in Newmarket , Ontario. As part of the event, participants spent a winter night outdoors to experience the reality young people face every day on the streets; all proceeds going to the 360ºkids support program for at-risk and homeless youth. 360ºkids’ vision is that every child has access to a safe home, while its mission is to help young people overcome crises and transition to a safe and stable environment. Over the past two years, Hyundai Canada has worked closely with the organization in various charitable activities aimed at supporting local communities.
360ºExperience is 360ºkids’ fundraising event whose goal this year was to raise $150,000. Due to COVID-19, the event was held both virtually and face-to-face on March 3; virtual participants each raising a minimum of $100 and in-person participants must each raise a minimum of $2,000 in order to participate. This year, Hyundai dealers across the country came together to donate more than $100,000 in support of this high-impact initiative. Don Romano , President and CEO of Hyundai Canada, and Kirk Merrett, Director of Human Resources, were also among the participants present in person at the 360ºExperience event. Mr. Merrett sits on the board of 360ºkids, having been involved with the organization for the past two years.
“Giving back to our communities is paramount to us at Go Auto, and as we look to the next generation, we are focusing our actions specifically on organizations providing support to children and youth,” said Duncan Cochrane , Vice President senior, marketing and software at Go Auto. “ Don Romano and Kirk Merrett ‘s awareness of youth homelessness is an initiative that reflects our own core values, and in this regard, we are happy to play a part and help combat this terrible problem. »
“I am very proud of the efforts of our dealers to make this fundraiser a success,” said Don Romano , President and CEO of Hyundai Canada. “360ºkids does important work that truly changes the lives of the young people it serves. We are pleased to make this donation and honored to support an organization having such a tangible impact for young people in Canada .”
Don Romano and Kirk Merrett with Mr. Romano’s wife, Marilyn Romano , at the 360ºExperience launch event
Each year, 360ºkids supports 1,488 to 3,500 young people in municipalities across York Region through a variety of programs. Every night, more than 300 young people in York Region have no safe place to sleep; a problem exacerbated by the current COVID-19 pandemic. The organization helps children in crisis by providing housing, employment, food security, counselling, educational support and more, and by providing young people with the skills and resources necessary so that they can fend for themselves. .
“The 360°kids organization is extremely grateful for the incredible support of 360°Experience from the team at Hyundai Canada this year. They did what no other company did with this event in terms of engagement and fundraising – a model for other companies to follow in tackling such an important and often overlooked issue. youth homelessness,” said Clovis Grant, CEO of 360°kids. “I am very grateful to Hyundai Canada for helping to shed light on this need and for helping to solve this problem in our community. For a young person, being on the street means loneliness, fear, stress, anxiety and many unfulfilled dreams.
As part of Hyundai Canada’s vision for the future and its commitment to progress for humanity, the manufacturer is committed to working with organizations that come together and build a better future for all. Hyundai Canada will continue to support charities and organizations that impact Canadians across the country.
SOURCE Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.
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