Toyota Scion of Wilmington Presents Carolina Canines for Service with New Toyota Sienna rampvan TO HELP SERVE NONPROFIT’s MISSION
Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program Awards 100 Vehicles to 100 Nonprofits over 100 Days
Wilmington, NC – Toyota Scion of Wilmington will present a new Toyota Sienna to Carolina Canines for Service on Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. as part of the Toyota 100 Cars for Good program. The new vehicle will be used to transport civilians and wounded veterans with disabilities as they receive trained service dogs and learn to work with their new four-legged partners. The Sienna has also been specially modified as a BraunAbility, or rampvan, to make the vehicle wheelchair accessible for clients.The Toyota 100 Cars for Good program has awarded 100 vehicles over the course of 100 days to 100 deserving non-profit organizations nationwide based on votes from the public. 100 Cars for Good was launched as a Facebook-enabled philanthropy initiative which engaged supporters of these charities through its Facebook application. Each day for 100 days, five organizations were profiled on the Facebook page and the one with the most votes at the end of the day was awarded a car. The 400 runners-up each received $1,000.
“We are absolutely honored to be awarded a new Toyota through the 100 Cars for Good program," said Rick Hairston, president & CEO of Carolina Canines. "We thank Toyota and all of our Facebook supporters who made the new Sienna rampvan possible. We also thank our clients for trusting us and giving us the opportunity to better serve their needs as they learn to work with their new service dog partner. Receiving this vehicle means so much as it will help us to keep reaching our goals.”
Carolina Canines for Service empowers people with disabilities to achieve greater independence through the gift of a quality trained service dogs. Through the volunteer efforts of foster families and military prisoners, the organization trains certified service dogs and then partners the canines with eligible recipients. Carolina Canines has provided more than $6 million in assistance at no cost to its clients.
In addition, Canines for Therapy and Canines for Literacy are specialized programs that have completed thousands of hours training more than 450 therapy dogs used in animal-assisted visitations at hospitals, nursing and group homes, schools and treatment facilities, and have helped approximately 600 children in our community improve their reading and communication skills. The organization will celebrate 15 years of commitment and service on December 1, 2011 as it presents its 50th service dog.
“Everyone at Toyota Scion of Wilmington is so thankful and thrilled to be a part of this exciting day,” said Doug Thompson, Toyota Scion of Wilmington general manager. “We take pride in giving back to the people of Wilmington and Carolina Canines for Service has made a significant contribution to our community through its services and programs. It has truly proven to be an extremely deserving organization, so we look forward to continuing our relationship with this superb charity.”
Toyota Scion of Wilmington is dedicated to enriching the lives of the people who live in Wilmington, donating in excess of $25,000 annually to local charities that support the community. The Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program enables 100 organizations to receive a Toyota vehicle to make a greater impact on the community. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than $500 million to non-profit organizations, and has always been guided by a strong belief in serving the communities where it does business. If you’d like to learn more, please visit http://www.toyota.com/about/philanthropy/.
For more information on Carolina Canines and its programs, call (866) 910-3647 or visit www.caninesforservice.org.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants, including one under construction. Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 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. 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 more than $500 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S. For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/community.
Address & Directions:
Toyota Scion of Wilmington
5640 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28405
Less than a half of a mile east of N. College Rd. on Market Street
Media Contact
Sheba Munn
Southeast Toyota Distributors
Work: 954-420-3279
Cell: 954-415-0893
Day of Event:
Katie Mae Pohlman
Toyota Scion of Wilmington
Work: 910- 798-1120
