Chicago College Students to Compete in Dodge High Caliber Challenge Road Trip for Charity

Chicago College Students to Compete in Dodge High Caliber Challenge Road Trip for Charity

* Students will travel more than 1,400 miles to raise awareness for Global Music Project and funds for Doctors Without Borders * Team of three Northwestern University students will compete against teams from Boston College and Texas Christian University * Members of the winning team will each be awarded the grand prize of a 24-month lease on an all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber

CHICAGO, May 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- While many college students will spend their summer vacation working at summer internships, looking for full- time jobs or just enjoying some time off, three Northwestern University students will embark on the Dodge High Caliber Challenge, a five-day road trip beginning on Monday, June 5 to generate awareness for Global Music Project and raise money for Doctors Without Borders.

Team captain Richard Winkelmann, along with team members and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sisters Yuna Rapoport and Jackie Coburn, will represent Northwestern University as they compete against teams from Boston College and Texas Christian University to see who can creatively use the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber to raise awareness for Global Music Project, a non-profit organization that allows individuals to download songs for a minimum donation of $1 per song with proceeds going to select charities.

On Monday, June 5, the team will hold a kick-off event in Chicago, then will take to the road and stage fundraising events in Nashville, Tenn.; Atlanta; and Tampa, Fla., before arriving in Miami. At each event, the team will give away five free music downloads to the first 100 people who participate. For each song downloaded, Dodge will donate $1 on the team's behalf to Global Music Project, benefiting Doctors Without Borders, with a maximum donation of $10,000.

On Friday, June 9 in Miami, all three teams will unite to participate in one final fundraising event. At this time, Dodge will announce the team that earned the most points as the winner of the High Caliber Challenge. Each member of the winning team will win a 24-month lease on a Dodge Caliber. Members of the other two finalist teams will each receive $500.

"We're proactive, passionate students who welcome the opportunity to accentuate the importance and benefit of helping other countries through programs like Doctors Without Borders," said Winkelmann. "At each of our events, we plan to incorporate what people are drawn to: good music, good food and good company with a fun-to-own-vehicle like the Dodge Caliber."

Throughout the road trip challenge, Winkelmann and his team will earn points for completing various activities ranging from giving away free song downloads to maintaining an online travel journal complete with photos. Access to the team's journal and profiles on each member will be available online at Chicago.DodgeHighCaliberChallenge.net beginning Thursday, June 1 and will be updated daily during their road trip.

"The Dodge High Caliber Challenge combines the Millennial's passion for adventure, music, technology and philanthropy in one great road trip," said Tom Loveless, Director - Dodge Marketing & Global Communications. "Only one team will win first place, but each of the teams will have a chance to raise funds for Doctors Without Borders and experience the road trip-friendly features of the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber."

Team Chicago was selected for the Dodge High Caliber Challenge based on the proposal they submitted outlining how they would raise awareness for Global Music Project and funds for Doctors Without Borders. Winkelmann and Coburn are natives of Cincinnati and Rapoport is from Calabasas, Calif.

About Team Chicago

With a diverse combination of talents and passions, the Chicago team intends to give the competition a run for their money.

* Richard Winkelmann, a 20-year-old junior from Cincinnati majoring in pre-med and jazz studies, has an affinity for helping others and an obsession with music. Although he'll miss his band, High End Trio, while on the road, Winkelmann is looking forward to the trip as his last bit of fun before taking a course on Organic Chemistry this summer.

* Yuna Rapoport, age 20 from Calabasas, Calif., will graduate in June with degrees in pre-med and economics. In 2005, she authored an award-winning paper titled, "Barriers to the Access of Pharmaceutical Drugs in Developing and Underdeveloped Countries," and dreams of working for Doctors Without Borders after completing medical school.

* Jackie Coburn, 21, will graduate from the Medill School of Journalism in June. The Cincinnati native is looking forward to putting her knowledge to the test and gaining real world experience before embarking on an internship this summer and pursuing her ideal job as a broadcast news reporter.

The Competitors

The Boston team attends Boston College and is made up of two communications majors and a political science major. Their road trip will begin in Boston and continue through Philadelphia; Raleigh, N.C.; and Jacksonville, Fla., before arriving in Miami.

The team representing Dallas hails from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, where they are all studying marketing. They will begin their trip in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and stage events in Houston, Mobile, Ala.; and Orlando, Fla., before arriving in Miami.

More information about all of the teams and the program can be found at http://www.dodgehighcaliberchallenge.com/.

Dodge Caliber

The 2007 Dodge Caliber takes a new slant on the entry-level vehicle segment by combining high value with bold styling and clever features. At a starting U.S. MSRP of just $13,985 (including $560 destination), the five-door Caliber blends Dodge attitude with the capability and versatility of a sport- utility vehicle, and the affordability and fuel-efficiency of an entry-level compact car. Its design commands attention and evokes attributes that define the Dodge brand: bold, powerful, capable and street smart.

The Dodge Caliber is chock full of interior features rarely found on entry-level compact vehicles including: MusicGate Power liftgate speakers, Chill Zone cooled beverage storage bin, unique flip pocket for storing a cell phone or an MP3 player and an available dual purpose self-charging removable flashlight.

As a vehicle destined for global markets, the 2007 Dodge Caliber uses innovative new engines and a continuously variable transaxle (CVT) to deliver world-class performance, fuel economy and refinement, no matter where the road leads.

Source: Chrysler Group

CONTACT: Carrie McElwee, +1-248-512-2664, cm63@dcx.com, or Jodi Tinson,
+1-248-512-2944, jt658@dcx.com, both of Chrysler Group; or Emily Kooistra,
+1-312-464-1984, ekooistra@clearblue.biz, for Chrysler Group

Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.dodgehighcaliberchallenge.com/

-------
Profile: International Entertainment