Hyundai Motor America partnered with the City of Atlanta and Atlanta Public Schools to donate 1,000 coats to Atlanta youth. On Tuesday, March 5th, City of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed attended Hyundai’s Coats for Kids donation ceremony at Bethune Elementary.
Hyundai Motor America donated 1,000 coats to the community organization Park Pride, the City of Atlanta’s Mayor’s Office, and the City of Atlanta’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. The coats were distributed to students from Atlanta Public Schools and children involved in faith-based community organizations during a special event. Community members and students joined Mayor Kasim Reed and representatives from Hyundai Motor America at the event at Bethune Elementary School. 
Hyundai’s gift of 1,000 coats will benefit students at Atlanta-area schools indentified as Title 1 schools, where more than 80 percent of the student population receives some type of Federal support. In addition to Bethune, Fain, Towns, Dunbar, Boyd, Gideons, Whitefoord, Grove Park, and Thomasville Elementary Schools also received coat donations. The city of Atlanta also worked with local faith-based organizations to identify deserving families who may not have been identified within the school system. The Hyundai Coats for Kids initiative is in its fourth year, and is part of Hyundai’s ongoing efforts to provide coats to youth in communities in need.
During the event, several students from Bethune were able to shop and try on new coats. Coats of all colors, styles, and sizes were on hand for them to choose from.
“At Hyundai, we are committed to improving the communities in which we work and live. We are honored to partner with the City of Atlanta to identify and address the needs of its underserved residents,” said Zafar Brooks, Director Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity Inclusion at Hyundai Motor America. “We commend Atlanta’s community partners in recognizing the essential need to improve the health and wellness of children in their community.”
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs services over 4,000 youth annually in their after school programs, athletic programs and specialty programs offered year round. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs has a long standing collaborative relationship with the Atlanta Public School System.
“Through public-private partnerships, we have been able to provide support and resources to families throughout the City of Atlanta,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. “Today’s coat donation has made an indelible impact on the lives of hundreds of children in Atlanta thanks to the generosity of Hyundai Motor America.”
