KIA DONATES NEW BORREGO SUV TO AKRON URBAN LEAGUE ON BEHALF OF 2008-09 NBA MOST VALUABLE PLAYER LEBRON JAMES
 
AKRON, Ohio, September 22, 2009 – Kia Motors America (KMA), the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA, and VanDevere Kia have donated a new 2009 Kia Borrego seven-passenger SUV to the Akron Urban League of Akron, Ohio on behalf of the winner of the 2008-09 NBA Most Valuable Player Award presented by Kia Motors, LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. For the past two seasons, KMA has presented new vehicles to charity on behalf of the winners of the four awards it presents which include Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man and Most Improved Player awards. To date, KMA has donated eight new vehicles to charity on behalf of the award winners.  
 
 “KMA and VanDevere Kia congratulates LeBron James on his tremendous achievement and is honored to donate a Kia Borrego to the well-deserving Akron Urban League on his behalf,” said Jerry VanDevere, dealer principal, Van Devere Kia.
           
The Akron Urban League sits in the heart of west Akron, down the street from where LeBron James grew up. The organization’s 25 life-changing programs include: Assisting Children in Transition (for children whose parents have been or are incarcerated), ASSET (office skills training), a Career Clothing Bank, an annual Diversity Career Fair, food distribution, health classes for seniors, home weatherization and electrical upgrade programs, an array of Minority Business Development programs, the Ohio Benefit Bank, a college scholarship program, Youth GED instruction and case management, Summer Day Camp, Summer Youth Employment, Workforce Development programs and several seasonal family assistance programs. 
 
“Through direct services, research, advocacy and diverse collaborative efforts we continue to build stronger communities,” said Bernett L. Williams, President and CEO of Akron Urban League. “With this vehicle donation, we are able to advance our outreach and provide greater assistance to our local community.”
 
The 2008-09 NBA Most Valuable Player Award presented by Kia Motors is part of a series of on-court performance awards called "The NBA Performance Awards Presented by Kia Motors." The awards, which are part of a multi-year marketing partnership that makes Kia Motors America the official automotive partner of the NBA, also include the Sixth Man Award, Defensive Player of the Year, and Most Improved Player Award. The series also includes the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month presented by Kia Motors. For more information on the "The NBA Performance Awards Presented by Kia Motors," go to nba.com/awards.
 
Kia Motors Product Line
Kia Motors America offers a dynamic and diverse product line to meet the needs of all lifestyles. The vehicle line features the stylish and all-new Forte compact sedan and all-new two-door Forte Koup, the highly personalizable Soul, functional Rondo CUV, award-winning Sedona minivan, purposeful Optima midsize sedan and versatile yet fuel-efficient Rio and Rio5 subcompacts. The vehicle line also features the affordably luxurious Borrego and value-packed Sportage SUVs, while the rugged 2011 Sorento CUV hits showrooms in January 2010.
 
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States. For 2008, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline “The Power to Surprise.”
 
Kia Motors America is the “Official Automotive Partner of the NBA.” Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.
 
About  the Akron Urban League
The Akron Urban League is a social service agency working to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Summit County, particularly African-Americans, through economic self-reliance and social empowerment.   For additional information about programs and membership, visit the Akron Urban League Web site at www.akronurbanleague.org.  
 
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