Hyundai and Baystate expand child passenger safety efforts

Hyundai gave $25,000 to Baystate Health Foundation to fund car seats, with over 220 provided since 2023. Free checks at Gary Rome Hyundai support family safety.

In Holyoke, Massachusetts, Hyundai Motor America and Baystate Health Foundation hosted another child car seat safety check at Gary Rome Hyundai. This marked the third event organized under Hyundai Hope, the company’s corporate social responsibility initiative focused on health and safety.

This year, Hyundai donated $25,000 to support Baystate’s Pediatric Trauma Surgery Injury Prevention program. The funds will be used to provide new car and booster seats for families in need. Since the partnership began in 2023, more than 220 families have received seats thanks to Hyundai’s contributions.

The event was not only about distributing new equipment but also about education. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers. Yet nearly half of seats are installed incorrectly. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) were on hand to inspect expiration dates, check for manufacturer recalls, and guide parents through correct installation.

Cole Stutz, chief safety officer at Hyundai Motor North America, emphasized that safety is more than a vehicle feature—it is a responsibility to communities. At Baystate Health, interim vice president of philanthropy Kathy Tobin expressed gratitude, noting that families now drive with greater confidence knowing their children are properly secured.

The collaboration between Hyundai and Baystate Health Foundation started in 2023 as a series of educational initiatives. The first seat check was held that summer, the second followed in 2024, and now the third has taken place in 2025. While no official announcements about expansion have been made, the regular rhythm of these events suggests the program is on track to continue, offering a steady layer of protection for families in the region.