Hyundai Motor America is extending its commitment to child passenger safety in Arizona through a second-year partnership with nonprofit Banner Children’s at Desert. The $25,000 Hyundai Hope donation to Banner Children’s Car Seat Safety Program will further expand access to car seat safety education and installation services for families across the East Valley.
The contribution is part of Hyundai Hope, the corporate social responsibility initiative of Hyundai Motor America, dedicated to improving health, safety, and overall community well-being. Since the partnership began in 2025, Banner Children’s has expanded the Car Seat Safety Program, providing caregiver classes at the hospital and extending outreach into schools to help families use car seats correctly. Banner Children’s has also collaborated with a local adoption agency to promote safety education and access to car seats for caseworkers who transport children. This year’s funding will help the hospital continue outreach to Title I schools and additional community agencies.
“Protecting children on the road starts with ensuring families have the right information and support,” said Cole Stutz, chief safety officer, Hyundai Motor North America. “Through our continued partnership with Banner Children’s, we’re helping deliver trusted, expert-led guidance that empowers caregivers to make safer choices for their youngest passengers.”
Child passenger safety depends not only on having the right car seat, but also on using it correctly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that nearly half of all car and booster seats are not used correctly, often due to improper installation. Banner Children’s Car Seat Safety Program helps address this challenge through an education-first approach that supports proper use and provides car seats to families in need.
“Our Car Seat Safety Program provides not only car seats and installation assistance for families in need, but also vitally important injury prevention education,” said Laura Robertson, CEO, Banner Desert Medical Center. “It is thanks to generous partners like Hyundai that we can continue to provide this support to the kids and families we care for in our hospitals. We are exceedingly grateful for this gift.”
Banner Children’s first implemented the Car Seat Safety Program in 1998 as part of its injury prevention efforts and was among the first organizations in the nation to offer this training. The program provides classes for families to learn about the effects of collisions, different types of car seats, and proper installation and use in their vehicle. Through trusted safety advocates and hands‑on guidance, the program helps caregivers make well-informed decisions that support safer environments for children of all ages.
