KIA  doesn't just help drivers get from Point A to Point B by putting them in safe,  reliable and high quality made vehicles - from sedans to SUVs - but the  automaker also has taken an active role in community service and in recognizing  those that follow suit, as well.

For  instance, KIA has been an NBA Cares partner since the 2010-11 season. As a part  of this, the automaker hands out a monthly Community Assist award  to a qualified NBA player, as well as a season-long Community Assist award.  (The 2012-13 KIA Season-Long Community Assist award was earned by Dwayne Wade  of the Miami Heat.) For each winner that is crowned during the season, KIA and  the NBA donate $10,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of America.

So just  what does an NBA player have to do to earn such a reward? As you can tell from  the title of the award, community service is involved. Memphis Grizzlies  forward Zach Randolph was named the November Community Assist award winner for  his charitable contributions in the local community. Here's a look at what  Randolph did to help benefit the community and his local charities:


  • Distributed about 1,000 Thanksgiving dinner baskets at local schools in the Memphis area, as well as game tickets to an upcoming Memphis Grizzlies game.
  • Donated 500 turkeys and 500 hams to be distributed to 1,000 needy people at a local community center.
  • Distributed 300 winter coats to local elementary schools.


Randolph  helped out in a big way around the community and many other NBA players have  been following suit this season to help out as well and claim KIA's Community  Assist award, such as George Hill of the Indiana Pacers, who took home the  October Community Assist award. Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers, Deron  Williams of the Brooklyn Nets and Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves, are  also notable past winners of the Community Assist Award.

The  Community Assist award is just one partnership program that KIA has in place  with the NBA. The automaker also partners with the league for a Read to  Achieve program, where athletes visit local schools to engage with  students and get them excited about reading. There's also the hilarious  Griffin Force KIA commercials featuring Clippers star Blake  Griffin.

Yes, KIA  is about more than just putting people in quality automobiles - through  partnerships, the automaker is taking steps to make communities a better place.  And it's using a big stage like the NBA to help it with its mission - that's a  win-win-win.

For more  information on KIA's charitable efforts and its partnership with the NBA, visit  www.nba.com/kiacommunityassist. And be sure to stop into your local KIA dealer  today for more information on its lineup of cars.