NAIAS, PNC Foundation to Host Detroit Pre-K Students at "PNC Grow Up Great Day"

DETROIT, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and the PNC Foundation will greet over 400 Detroit Public School pre-K students as part of "PNC Grow Up Great Day" at the show, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018.

Dedicated to providing the very youngest members of the community with a fun and engaging look at the auto industry, "PNC Grow Up Great Day" at the NAIAS is part of PNC Grow Up Great^®, a $350 million, multi-year, bilingual initiative to early childhood education. 

Ric Devore, PNC regional president for Detroit and Southeast Michigan, will kick off the pre-K event, now in its eighth year. Plenty of age-appropriate, hands-on science, technology, reading, engineering arts and mathematics (STREAM) activities will follow – many based on the participatory-based HighScope Preschool Curriculum. Activities will include a coloring contest, an Arts and Scraps project, a parade of cars and teachers, a group photo and a number of other entertaining workshops on the show floor. 

"This special day at the show provides young, inquisitive minds with an innovative and fun way to think about cars and the auto show," said 2018 NAIAS Chairman Ryan LaFontaine. "Some of these youngsters may be future leaders within our industry, so let's spark their imagination and curiosity about automobiles at the earliest possible age."

Every participant will go home with a copy of the book, "Pincy's Auto Show Adventures," in addition to receiving a stuffed animal version of the lovable canine. Pincy was created by NAIAS and PNC to give youngsters a lighthearted way to learn about automobiles and the auto show.  

"PNC's support of 'PNC Grow Up Great Day' reflects our strong corporate commitment to early childhood education in Detroit and communities served by PNC," said DeVore. "Over the past eight years, PNC has brought more than 2,900 DPS preschool students to this world-class show in an effort to spark an interest in math and science at an early age."  

"PNC Grow Up Great Day" students will also be given lesson plans to bring NAIAS STREAM education home and engage families in the children's learning. In addition, a booster seat will be awarded randomly to one lucky preschooler. 

About the PNC Foundation
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through Grow Up Great, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a $350 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.

About the North American International Auto Show
Now in its 30^th year as an international event, the NAIAS is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, providing unparalleled access to the automotive products, technologies, people and ideas that matter most – up close and in one place. Administered by executive director Rod Alberts, the NAIAS is one of the largest media events in North America, and the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. For more information, visit naias.com.

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2018 NAIAS Dates:
The Gallery – Saturday, January 13, 2018
AutoMobili-D – Sunday-Sunday, January 14-21, 2018
Press Preview – Sunday-Tuesday, January 14-16, 2018
Industry Preview – Wednesday-Thursday, January 17-18, 2018 
Charity Preview – Friday, January 19, 2018
Public Show – Saturday-Sunday, January 20-28, 2018

SOURCE North American International Auto Show