Al Roker, Today and Toyota Lend a Hand to Five Charities Across the Country

TORRANCE, Calif., June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota, in part with the Today Show's "Lend a Hand Series" with Al Roker, provided new vehicles to five deserving charities across the country this week in order to help the local charities continue to restore hope and opportunity in their respective communities.

Now in its tenth consecutive year, "Lend a Hand" continues its mission to help small charities across the country work towards improving conditions in their communities by surprising the selected non-profits with trucks full of goods and supplies to aid in their efforts. "Lend a Hand" began in 2002 as an effort to shine a light on smaller lesser-known charities which lost donations as money was diverted to September 11th philanthropic efforts and has since continued to positively impact charities and their respective communities across the country.

The series kicked off this year on June 10 in Anchorage, Alaska, and continued throughout the week with stops in Las Vegas, Nev.; Houston, Texas, Birmingham, Ala.; and Charleston, W. Va.

The five charities which received a new Toyota vehicle include:  

• Alaska Pride; Anchorage, Alaska; June 13, 2011
• Culinary Training Academy; Las Vegas, Nev.; June 14, 2011
• Case de Esperanza; Houston, Texas; June 15, 2011
• Community Kitchens of Birmingham; Birmingham, Ala.; June 16, 2011
• Covenant House of West Virginia; Charleston, W. Va.; June 17, 2011

"Toyota is thrilled to support the Today Show's Lend a Hand Series in recognizing the important work of local charities," said Michael Rouse, vice president of philanthropy. "In addition to participating in the Lend a Hand Series, Toyota is also currently running a separate program on Toyota's Facebook called '100 Cars for Good' where we invite the public to help us donate 100 cars, in 100 days, to charities they consider worthy. So naturally, Toyota lending a hand to charities that Today deems worthy is a natural extension of our philosophy to put cars on the road doing good, all across the country."

Toyota has been proud to participate in the Lend a Hand Series since 2009. For the past two years, Toyota has participated in one day of the weeklong series, with one Sienna donation per week. This year, Toyota participated in all five days of the series with vehicle donations to five deserving charities across the country.

New for 2011, Toyota's 100 Cars for Good program is the first Toyota initiative that engages the public to determine how corporate philanthropic donations will be awarded. Public voting for Toyota's 100 Cars for Good program opened May 9 and will continue through August 16. Voters may visit Toyota's Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/toyota) and place one vote per day, each day, over the course of the program.  Each day, the previous day's winner will be announced and five new nonprofit organizations will be featured for voting.  Winning organizations can choose from the following vehicles: Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, Highlander Hybrid, Sienna or Sienna Mobility. With each vehicle, Toyota Financial Services will provide a six-year, 100,000 mile Toyota Vehicle Service Agreement to provide extended protection beyond the vehicle warranty. The 500 finalists, from which the 100 winners are ultimately selected, were chosen by an independent panel of judges who are experts in the fields of philanthropy and corporate social responsibility.

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.  

About Toyota

New for 2011, Toyota's 100 Cars for Good program is the first Toyota initiative that engages the public to determine how corporate philanthropic donations will be awarded. Public voting for Toyota's 100 Cars for Good program opened May 9 and will continue through August 16. Voters may visit Toyota's Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/toyota) and place one vote per day, each day, over the course of the program.  Each day, the previous day's winner will be announced and five new nonprofit organizations will be featured for voting.  Winning organizations can choose from the following vehicles: Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, Highlander Hybrid, Sienna or Sienna Mobility. With each vehicle, Toyota Financial Services will provide a six-year, 100,000 mile Toyota Vehicle Service Agreement to provide extended protection beyond the vehicle warranty. The 500 finalists, from which the 100 winners are ultimately selected, were chosen by an independent panel of judges who are experts in the fields of philanthropy and corporate social responsibility.

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.  

SOURCE Toyota