• September 15, 2011

Mercedes-Benz dealers are marking the 125th anniversary of the brand with a social media contest to identify local community service groups doing good work. Playing off of the 125th anniversary, the dealers are donating $125,000 to a select group of charitable organizations across the country via a campaign called "Community Stars." The contest is meant to bring awareness to local organizations.

Mercedes-Benz USA launched the "Community Stars" tab on its Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/#!/mercedesbenzusa) where organizations can participate, and MBUSA Facebook fans are begin encouraged to suggest their favorite charitable organizations as well.

Organizations have to upload a 60-second video to showcase themselves and show how they would use the awarded funds toward their cause. Submissions will be accepted until 8 p.m. EST on Friday, Sept. 23 and the organization must operate under one of the following categories: Environment & Sustainability, Health & Service, Youth Empowerment, Music & Arts or Education.

Once the videos are submitted, a committee of Mercedes-Benz employees will select 15 finalists and then beginning Oct. 3, MBUSA Facebook fans will be asked to vote through a simple voting mechanism. In a bid to better their standing, the finalists themselves will also be encouraged to drive traffic to the "Community Stars" tab by asking others outside the MBUSA network to vote for them as well.

The contest officially ends on Oct. 21 and the five "Grand Prize Winners" will be announced on Oct. 25, each receiving $25,000.