For Immediate Release
FOUR PHILADELPHIA-AREA NONPROFITS NAMED FINALISTS IN TOYOTA’S 100 CARS FOR GOOD PROGRAM
Awarding 100 Cars to 100 Nonprofits Nationwide over 100 Days
Winners to be Selected Each Day by the Public –
Voting Starts on May 14 at www.100carsforgood.com
Philadelphia, PA (April 25, 2012) – Toyota today announced that four nonprofit organizations in the Philadelphia area are among the 500 finalists in 100 Cars for Good, a national philanthropic program in which the automaker is giving away 100 vehicles to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 days. Winners will be selected each day by the public through voting on Facebook, beginning on Monday, May 14.
100 Cars for Good finalists come from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This year’s finalists from the Philadelphia area include:
- iPRAXIS, Philadelphia: Focuses on improving science education for underserved students, increasing the participation of minorities in the business of science, and guaranteeing that scientific breakthroughs benefit everyone.
- Last Chance Ranch Inc., Quakertown: Rescues abused, neglected and abandoned animals and helps them find homes.
- Main Line Hospitals, Inc., Malvern: Offers comprehensive healthcare resources, including the CARE (Caring Assistance and Referral for the Elderly) Program, which is dedicated to helping older adults live independently in their community.
- Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports, Philadelphia: Promotes active lifestyles, healthy living, and personal growth for people with disabilities.
A complete list of finalists is available at www.100carsforgood.com.
This is the second consecutive year for Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good, which is the first Toyota initiative to enlist the public’s help in determining how the company’s charitable contributions are awarded. The 500 finalists, selected from an extremely competitive pool, were certified by an independent panel of experts in philanthropy and corporate social responsibility. The finalists include nonprofits serving a broad range of community needs, including animal welfare, arts, education, environment, health, veterans’ affairs and safety.
“Toyota congratulates all of this year’s finalists for 100 Cars for Good in the Philadelphia area,” said Jim Lentz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Motor Sales. “We are grateful for the enormous impact that these nonprofits have each day and hope that 100 Cars for Good will play an important role in raising awareness of their work and helping these vital organizations make an even bigger difference in Pennsylvania. We wish each of the finalists the best of luck and thank all of the nonprofit groups from around the country that applied to participate.”
100 Cars for Good voting will begin May 14 and continue through August 21. Each day, five organizations will be profiled on Toyota’s Facebook page at www.100carsforgood.com. Individuals will be able to vote once each day for the nonprofit they think is most deserving of a new car. The organization with the most votes at the end of the day will win the vehicle. The four runners-up each day will receive a $1,000 grant from Toyota.
Winning organizations can choose from the following vehicles: Camry Hybrid, Highlander SUV, Prius v hybrid, Sienna minivan, Sienna Mobility or Tundra full-sized pickup. A six-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty will also be provided for each vehicle, compliments of Toyota Financial Services.
Toyota will be providing all 500 finalists with a digital video camera, training toolkit and free online advertising credits to support their 100 Cars for Good campaigns and to help them create or expand their presence in social media and other digital platforms. Each finalist will be asked to create a video showing how the organization plans to use a new vehicle to make an even bigger impact in the local community. The videos will be featured at www.100carsforgood.com.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants in eight states. Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design facilities. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from U.S. suppliers totals more than $23 billion.
Toyota is deeply committed to being a great community partner and is focused on supporting programs in ways that achieve long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, with a particular concentration on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than half a billion dollars to philanthropic programs across the U.S.
For more information on Toyota, please visit www.toyota.com/community.
About Toyota Financial Services (TFS)
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 Contacts:
Luis Rosero – Toyota
212-715-7493
Kirsten Clausen, GolinHarris for Toyota
213-438-8726
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