Dealership awards: Tuned up to help society

Students at the 'Say No to Drunk Driving' program.

Editor's note: Mercedes-Benz honored dealers for their commitment to social causes with the third annual awards for Best Social Responsibility, Best Innovative Charity and the Best Public Participation:

Best Social Responsibility Award

Nanning Crown Star Motor Co Ltd

Project: "Love is the Source of Life" water program

Nanning Crown Star designed to provide irrigation and drinking water for 65 families with 297 residents in the remote and impoverished village of Liuxie.

It designed a program called "1+1 Double Love" with the dealer matching customer donations.

A total of 200,000 yuan ($31,387) has been raised, with construction on the water system underway a short time after donations were collected. A foundation laying ceremony has also been held.

Hangzhou Eastern Star Automobile Service Co Ltd

Project: "Lighten the Future" Hope School donation program

Hangzhou Eastern Star initiated the program to improve the education environment for youth.

Two schools - Jiande Mache Star Primary School and Chun'an Jieshou Star Primary School - have benefited from the program's donations toward infrastructure renovation, equipping music classrooms and scholarship funds.

Tianjin Star Automobile Repair & Service Co Ltd

Project: Tianjin Star Charity program series.

The Tianjin Star established a youth football development program with the Tianjin Football Association to improve its training and selection system

It also donated teaching aids, offered work opportunities to students and is providing long-term financial support for underprivileged university students and kindergarten kids.

Best Innovative Charity Award

Zhengzhou Leishing Automobile Co Ltd

Project: "Lighten the Future" educational program

Zhengzhou Leishing began a joint program with Henan Transportation Technology University by donating engines and other auto components worth 550,000 yuan ($86,324) along with tools to improve teaching facilities.

Six teachers and technicians were chosen for training at a cost of 40,000 yuan per person to enhance teaching quality. As well, qualified students receive scholarships and other subsidies.

Foshan Shunde Yifu Vehicle Service Co Ltd

Project: "Happy Life Under the Sun" handicapped care program

The Foshan Shunde Yifu started the program in conjunction with the Wu Weiquan Handicapped Shelter Workshop to encourage employees to interact with workshop members, purchase their products, encourage their efforts and donate the necessary materials to support workshop production.

Xi'an Star Automobile Co Ltd

Project: "Little Orange Lightens New Hope" Xi'an Star Children care program

The Xi'an Star first introduced the nationwide program to Xi'an to provide needed items to schools without libraries and sports equipment.

More than 500 participants donated numerous books, 2,906 study kits and 149 sets of sports equipment.

Best Public Participation Award

Xuzhou Star Automobiles Co Ltd

Project: "Say No to Drunk Driving"

The Xuzhou Star established the program to educate children on road safety, then extended the effort to their parents.

Nearly 2,400 students, teachers and parents joined the program that offered training and interaction to pass along safety messages.

Dongguan Zungfu Huaxing Vehicle Service Co Ltd

Project: "Low Carbon Boundless Love" charity bicycle ride

Dongguan Zungfu Huaxing began the program to advocate low carbon and green mobility. It received support from local officials, NGOs and other organizations.

The more than 1,000 participants included guests, clients, employees and club fans participated in the ride that raised 20,000 yuan used to purchase about 6,000 books donated to schools in need of libraries.

Xiamen Airport Star Automobile Repair Centre Co Ltd

Project: "Books Lighten Dreams" library program

Xiamen Airport Star established the program to combine the efforts with customers to donate books for Hope School libraries and provide financial support.

A brand new library has been built with 1,500 books on different subjects donated by employees and car owners.

The library was also furnished with two new computers. A total of 20,000 yuan also been collected for the school's scholarship fund.