An Open Letter to Our Customers, Partners, and Supporters

We write this letter as a sincere thank you to all of our customers, partners, and supporters that have helped us in the last month.

At the beginning of September, we sat down with Monica Starr, a Fairway, KS native, who ran a very small but powerful organization called Sleepyhead Beds. Their purpose? To raise and deliver beds for the kids of Kansas City who don't have their own place to sleep at night, whether they are sleeping on the floor, a couch, or are sharing a bed with siblings.

Meeting Monica is a pretty powerful experience because she is so passionate about her cause. She started Sleepyhead Beds after working with several other charities and recognizing an enormous need in our area. Currently 1 in 42 kids in the KC area needs somewhere to sleep, and she has already helped thousands.

It just so happens that 2011 is the 125th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz, the world's oldest standing automobile manufacturer. Rather than hold a huge gala, or concert at the store, we asked ourselves how we could celebrate this achievement by helping others.

Mercedes-Benz has always prided itself to creating the best products in the world, and despite being the oldest manufacturer, it always seems to have the freshest products and innovations. With two Mercedes-Benz dealers in Kansas City, we decided to celebrate the oldest manufacturer by helping the youngest generation.

Instead of giving our customers and employees a big party for the milestone, we reached out and issued a challenge. We challenged them to help us raise 125 beds for Sleepyhead Beds at both of our stores. The outpouring of support from our employees and customers was so astonishing, that we accomplished this task in just two weeks.

We also wish to thank our advertising partners, the local media, and all of the vendors that came out, providing everything from signage to breakfast at the events. With support from so many, 250 kids in Kansas City will now have a place to sleep at night.

We aren't done yet.

When we held the two bed drives, there was a camera crew on site. They were filming a video for Sleepyhead Beds to enter a recently announced national contest from Mercedes-Benz USA, named the Community Stars Program. This competition was designed to award $25,000 in grant money to 5 charities in the United States.

Hundreds of charities across the country entered this contest, but only 15 finalists were chosen. We are happy to announce that Sleepyhead Beds is in the hunt.

So, once again, we need your help.

The 15 finalists are now listed on the Mercedes-Benz USA Facebook page, where anyone with a Facebook account can vote for their favorite charity. On October 21st, voting is over, and the top 5 with the most votes will win the grant. Simple as that.

We ask that you visit www.Facebook.com/MercedesBenzUSA and cast your vote for Sleepyhead Beds on the "Community Stars" tab on the left side of the screen.You may vote once a day, and we hope that you vote as often as possible.A grant of this magnitude would be a game-changer for this organization.

From all of us at Aristocrat Motors and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City, we thank you.