Odessa, Tex., July 2, 2010-Mahindra USA's Texas Tractor Drive is blazing a trail across Texas and making its way to Odessa to benefit Texas Children's Hospital. On July 2nd, the Tractor Drive will stop at Cisco Equipment in Odessa for a charitable Mini-Drive event.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include a local Tractor Drive from Cisco Equipment to the Sam's Club parking lot. Free lunch will be provided courtesy of Sam's Club, Steak Express and Cisco Equipment stores in Odessa and Midland. In support of Texas Children's Hospital, Cisco Equipment, which has four locations in Texas, will be pledging a combined total of $3,000 (or $3 per mile that the "Texas Special Edition" tractor travels throughout Texas).

"We're excited to have the opportunity to host the Texas Tractor Drive at the dealership," said Jeremy Barnett, of Cisco Equipment. "We want to invite the community to celebrate with us as the Tractor Drive rolls into Odessa."

From Odessa, the Texas Tractor Drive will wind around western Texas and circle back to end in Houston. Along the way, the Drive will stop at participating Mahindra dealerships for events that are free and open to the public.

Every mile of the Mahindra USA Texas Tractor Drive will make a difference. For each mile the tractor travels, participating dealers will make a pledge to Texas Children's Hospital. Mahindra USA will match dealer pledges. The public also is invited to make contributions via dealership locations or Donate Online.

"What started out as a way to lay merit to the 'Tough as Texas' moniker spiraled into a road trip tour of Texas," said Mike Hilderbrand, vice president - marketing and organizational development for Mahindra USA. "But we want to leave more than tire tracks in our wake…we want this Drive to make a difference to and for the people in Texas. Texas Children's Hospital was our first and only choice for a beneficiary; the hospital and its small patients define what it is to be 'Tough as Texas.'"

The public can follow the adventures of the Drive via Twitter and on the Drive's Facebook, Myspace and YouTube pages, which will include videos and photos from the road. These sites also will provide information on upcoming Open House events and profile special Guest Drivers who will make appearances at local events.

"Through our social networking sites and dealer events, the public can follow us every step of the way," said Hilderbrand. "We invite them to join us at events, and help us make a difference one mile at a time."

About Texas Children's Hospital
Texas Children's Hospital is committed to a community of healthy children by providing the finest pediatric patient care, education and research. Renowned worldwide for its expertise and breakthrough developments in clinical care and research, Texas Children's is nationally ranked in all 10 subspecialties in U.S.News & World Report's list of America's Best Children's Hospitals. Texas Children's also operates the nation's largest primary pediatric care network, with more than 40 offices throughout the greater Houston community. Texas Children's has embarked on a $1.5 billion expansion, Vision 2010, which includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, a comprehensive obstetrics facility focusing on high-risk births and a community hospital in suburban West Houston. For more information on Texas Children's Hospital, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news from Texas Children's Hospital by visiting the online newsroom and on Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.

About Mahindra USA
Houston, Texas-based Mahindra USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra, one of the largest tractor manufacturers in the world. Mahindra USA began selling tractors in America in 1994 and has grown rapidly due to high customer satisfaction and customer referrals.