In commemoration of Mercedes-Benz's 125^th anniversary and in admiration for local, grass-roots organizations, the company has just introduced their first "Community Stars" social media contest. That is correct, rather than pay tribute to their many accomplishments,  Mercedes-BenzUSA has decided to honor some our nations unsung heroes.

Mercedes-Benz launched the "Community Stars" challenges at the beginning of this fall on their Facebook page for interested community-service organizations to share one minute videos explaining what their group does. When the challenge came to a close, more than 183 applications had been submitted! How did Mercedes-Benz select just five applications? Well, Facebook fans assisted Mercedes-Benz and chose winners for groups such as the arts, youth empowerment, human services, education and the environment.

The challenge officially ended on October 21, 2011, and the five winners were announced on November 8, 2011.The winners of the contest were as follows: Alabama Institute for the Deaf & Blind (Talladega, Ala.) which provides blind, deaf, and multi-disabled children and adults education and rehabilitation, Camp Okizu (Novato, Calif.) which provides overnight camping programs for children affected by cancer and their families, The Children's Museum of Richmond (Richmond, Va.) which will invest in their  new "Waterplay" exhibit that will join several permanent displays that influence children's social, emotional, and physical development, V.A.C.C. Camp (Miami, Fla.)  which partners with the Miami Children's Hospital to host cost-free camps for children who have disorders that incur troubled breathing and their families, and Sleepyhead Beds (Kansas City, Mo.) which donates used/like-new mattresses to children who would otherwise sleep in vehicles, on floors, on sofas, etc. and helps to protect the environment by keeping these mattresses out of landfills. Mercedes-Benz awarded each $25,000.

Would you like to be up to date on the latest Mercedes-Benz news? Continue to check our blog for more updates. Mercedes-Benz of Lancaster is committed to providing you with everything from the company's philanthropic efforts to new Mercedes-Benz launches. To explore our entire new and used car inventories in person, visit us at 1550 Commerce Dr in Lancaster, Pennsylvania today.