The sponsorship of several scientific labs, a global volunteerism effort, grants to aid research into childhood cancer, and a metal sculpture to honor Detroit's professional hockey team were among the items promoted by automakers recently.

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[naviga:li]In a partnership with the Tennessee state government, Volkswagen has opened eight eLabs in schools in Hamilton County. The automaker says these labs will provide students with access to advanced scientific equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and robotics; each lab is also staffed with a Volkswagen eLabs Innovation Team to instruct students. The schools are each responsible for raising $5,000 a year to refresh lab materials. Volkswagen plans to open an additional eight eLabs in the county in 2018.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]In recognition of Global Caring Month, Ford employees around the world are volunteering on a number of community improvement projects. The automaker says the volunteer effort encompasses people from 38 countries and 24 states. The efforts include community gardening and environmental education in China, home construction in Mexico, and the installation of water facilities in Australia, the Philippines, and South Africa. The Ford Fund is also contributing $700,000 in grants to help nonprofit organizations purchase supplies.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Hyundai Hope on Wheels, a nonprofit established in 1998, has launched its annual campaign to recognize National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The automaker will give out 40 grants totaling $8.5 million to children's hospitals in the United States to assist with research into pediatric cancer. Twenty-five grants are worth $250,000 each, while 15 are worth $150,000 each; all are funded for two years. Hyundai is also visiting children's hospitals with white 2017 Santa Fe vehicles; children with cancer dip their hands in paint and leave prints on the SUVs to make them official "Hope Vehicles."[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Chevrolet has commissioned a sculpture entitled "Wheels & Wings" to pay tribute to the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. The metal artwork was created by former stuntman Tomas Vitanovsky, who used 186 parts from 13 different Chevrolet models to create the Red Wings logo. The 772-pound sculpture, which is nine feet wide and five feet tall, is located inside the entrance to the new Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.[/naviga:li]

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