BOSTON, July 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zipcar today announced the final results of its "Communities with Drive" campaign, powered by Ford Motor Company. The goal of the national program was to seek and reward organizations that are having a profound impact on the communities in which they operate. Based on the results of more than 15,000 votes via Facebook, the Grand Prize Winner is Anjellicle Cats Rescue of New York. The three runners-up are: Top Box Foods of Chicago, Last Hope K9 Rescue of Boston and West End House of Boston. The list of the other 21 finalists can be found on the campaign Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/zipcar/app_788077737886730?ref=ts .
The 25 finalists will share a total of $200,000 in funding and Zipcar credit. As the Communities with Drive Grand Prize Winner, Anjellicle Cats Rescue will receive $50,000 in cash and $15,450 in Zipcar credits to be used in their mission to help rescue abandoned, stray and neglected cats in need. The three runner-ups will each receive $7,000 in cash and $8,100 in Zipcar credit. Additionally, the 21 remaining finalists will all receive $2,000 in cash as well as $2,250 in Zipcar credit.
The Communities with Drive contest received more than 400 entries from non-profit organizations across the country that were subsequently narrowed down to 25 finalists by a panel of judges from Zipcar and Ford Motor Company. The program asked candidates to tell Zipcar who they are, what they do and the impact they have on their community. The contest also asked how having "wheels when you want them" would improve their ability to deliver on their mission.
"We were overwhelmed by the positive response we received for the Communities with Drive program. More than 400 incredibly deserving organizations shared their missions and goals with us and a social community," said Kaye Ceille, president of Zipcar. "It's a testament to the saying that a small group of committed citizens can truly change the world. On behalf of Zipcar and Ford, I congratulate all of our 25 finalists – we wish them all the best."
Grand Prize Winner:
Anjellicle Cats leveraged its nearly 10,000 fans on Facebook, its nearly 3,000 followers on Twitter, plus a network of hundreds of thousands of passionate cat lovers to surpass the other finalists and take the top prize in the social voting contest. Founded more than a decade ago, Anjellicle Cats Rescue is a no-kill, all-volunteer organization based in New York City, whose mission is "to compassionately rescue, care for and place New York City's homeless cats and kittens." Anjellicle Cats Rescue is a member of the Mayor's Alliance and a New Hope Partner with the New York Animal Care & Control (ACC). The organization has worked tirelessly with the ACC to pull out those who are in danger of being euthanized with the goal of placement into a permanent, loving home.
Top Three Runner-Ups:
- Top Box Foods is "a non-profit organization with a simple purpose: to offer delicious, healthy, high-quality foods at affordable prices, particularly to folks living in areas with limited access to nutritious eating options."
- Last Hope K9 Rescue is "an all-breed rescue dedicated to saving abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs from high-kill shelters throughout the United States."
- The West End House Boys & Girls Club's mission is to "inspire and enable youth from all backgrounds to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens."
"It is rewarding to be able to help all the great finalists achieve their missions," said Amy Marentic, Global Car and Crossover Marketing Manager. "We appreciate the hard work and enthusiasm shown by the contestants in raising awareness of their good work while helping Ford and Zipcar reduce congestion in the cities and local communities they support."
Voting in Communities with Drive took place from 12:00 a.m. EDT on June 9, 2014 to 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 25, 2014 via Facebook. Zipcar performed a thorough review of the results for compliance with contest rules, and disqualified any non-conforming votes. More information on Communities with Drive, including official rules, is available online at www.zipcar.com/communitieswithdrive .
About Zipcar
Zipcar, the world's leading car sharing network, has operations in urban areas and college campuses throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain and Austria. Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to residents and businesses looking for smart, simple and convenient solutions to their urban and campus transportation needs. Zipcar is a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: CAR ), a leading global provider of vehicle rental services. More information is available at www.zipcar.com .
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com .
CONTACT: Lindsay Wester 617-336-4749 lwester@zipcar.com
