Contact: Scott Gunderson Rosa, (202) 833-6130
For Immediate Release: December 10, 2001
Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) today announced that Matthew M. Lara of San Antonio, TX, was awarded a new 2002 Mazda Protegé5. The car was a donated by Mazda and raffled off by LULAC with proceeds benefiting the LULAC National Office, LULAC National Educational Service Centers, and local LULAC councils throughout the country who participated in the program. The drawing took place on Saturday, December 8 at LULAC's annual board meeting.
"LULAC is very pleased to be partners with Mazda," said LULAC National President Rick Dovalina. "They are a company committed to giving back to the Hispanic community and providing our organization with a new Mazda Protegé is proof of that. The proceeds from this raffle will allow LULAC to give out more money in scholarships and enhance some of our other programs."
"We're honored to provide support to LULAC through the donation of our hottest new car, the Mazda Protege5," said Jay Amestoy, Vice President of Public & Government Affairs for Mazda North American Operations. "LULAC and Mazda make a great fit and we're looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship."
"First of all, I want to give all the thanks and glory to God," said Lara. "I also want to thank Mazda and LULAC for not only supporting the Hispanic community, but for giving me the best Christmas present ever."
Lara is a 33-year-old single parent with two children. He purchased a single $5 ticket from LULAC Council 4482 in San Antonio. He will be accompanied by LULAC National President Rick Dovalina to a Mazda dealership in San Antonio to receive his new vehicle.
Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) is responsible for the sales and marketing, and customer parts and service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more than 700 dealerships nationwide.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.