TORRANCE, Calif., July 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third year
in a row, Toyota's 100 Cars for Good philanthropic program will
invite the public to select another 100 worthy organizations
nationwide that will receive a Toyota vehicle. Beginning
July 22, registered 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organizations can apply online at www.100carsforgood.com
explaining how a new vehicle would support their work. Based on
individuals' votes, Toyota will give away two cars per day for 50
days to selected organizations.
Since 2011, 100 Cars for Good has put 200 cars on the road to
benefit organizations and causes that touch real lives – from
transporting disabled adults and taking zoo animals to schools, to
restoring homes flooded by Superstorm Sandy.
Key dates and facts for the 2013 program:
- July 22 to Aug. 5 – Up to
2,500 applications will be accepted.
- Aug. 19 – The 250
finalists will be announced and will receive promotional materials
to help raise awareness for their organizations during the voting
period and in their work beyond.
- Oct. 1 – Voting will begin
and continue for 50 consecutive days on Toyota's Facebook page,
granting consumers two votes each day to select two separate
winning organizations.
Each day, the two winners will be eligible to choose a
Highlander, Prius, Sienna, Sienna Mobility or Tundra, which will
also come with a six-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty from
Toyota Financial Services. The remaining three runners-up every day
will earn a grant of $1,000 from
Toyota to recognize their efforts and encourage further good
work.
"The 100 Cars for Good program elevates the positive impact
nonprofits have on their communities," said Michael Rouse, vice president of diversity,
philanthropy and community affairs for Toyota Motor Sales,
U.S.A., Inc. "The program creates
awareness by involving the public in the voting process, and the
extra vehicle mobility helps to advance the goals of the selected
organizations. This is a wonderful opportunity for Toyota to give
back and demonstrate our commitment to communities across
America."
Each entrant is encouraged to post photos that highlight the
group's community work. As a result, nonprofits organizations
across the country have the opportunity to raise their social
profiles and gain more advocates for their causes.
"Our Sienna Mobility van supports our core mission to provide
individuals in wheelchairs with opportunities that help them fully
experience their communities," said Chris
Adams, executive director of Ohio-based Stepping Stones. "We hope more
organizations like ours will take advantage of this wonderful
Toyota program and benefit from the inspiring support of their
communities like we did."
Empowering Communities
The 100 Cars for Good program is the first Toyota initiative
that engages the public to determine how its philanthropic
donations will be awarded. Over the last 20 years, Toyota has
contributed nearly $700 million to
nonprofits throughout the U.S., with core priorities on safety,
education and the environment.
For the Massachusetts-based
nonprofit All Hands Volunteer, its new Toyota Tundra was essential
when disaster struck the Northeast.
"Within 48 hours of Superstorm Sandy, our volunteers were in the
new truck driving south toward Staten
Island to help affected families," said David Campbell, executive director of the
organization, which used its vehicle to help clear homes after the
devastating storm. "By establishing 100 Cars for Good, Toyota helps
identify groups like ours with huge needs for vehicles. It makes so
much more possible."
Last year, the 500 finalists inspired thousands of people to go
online and select winners. Those who voted learned about
organizations around the country and their unique approaches to
making communities better places to live.
"For us, the Toyota vehicle helps our staff members drive
animals to classrooms so kids can feel the snake's scales or touch
a parrot's feathers," said Thane Maynard, director of the
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden that won a Prius v
last year. "That authentic experience can open a world of
curiosity, and ultimately, foster a greater appreciation for nature
and wildlife. The Prius v helps us get there to open
minds."
For a full list of rules and to learn more about 100 Cars for
Good, visit www.100carsforgood.com.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently
operates 10 manufacturing plants. Toyota directly employs over
31,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at
more than $23 billion, including
sales and manufacturing operations, research and development,
financial services and design.
Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the
communities where it does business and believes in supporting
programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports
numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education,
the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed
nearly 700 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S.
For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving
communities nationwide, visit
http://www.toyota.com/philanthropy.
About Toyota Financial Services (TFS)
Toyota Financial Services (TFS) is the finance and insurance
brand for Toyota and Lexus in the U.S., offering retail auto
financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation
(TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust and extended service contracts and
other payment protection products through Toyota Motor Insurance
Services (TMIS). TFS employs 3,300 associates nationwide, and has
managed assets totaling more than $91
billion. It is part of a worldwide network of comprehensive
financial services offered by Toyota Financial Services
Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor
Corporation.
Media Contact:
Rebecca
Lee
GolinHarris for Toyota
213-438-8827
rlee@golinharris.com
SOURCE Toyota