Toyota to present key to DC SCORES van during ceremonies today

Today is special for DC SCORES. During two events, we will be highlighted for winning a Toyota Sienna van for our organization through the 100 Cars for Good contest on May 14. On that day, we received more votes than four other organizations to win the vehicle. 

This afternoon, we will receive a key to the van during a ceremony at Marie Reed Elementary School where our Soccer & Arts camp is ongoing. This evening, we will be highlighted -- and four DC SCORES students will be videotaped inside a Toyota vehicle -- at the annual Congressional baseball game at Nationals Park. 

Both events will include remarks from Executive Director Amy Nakamoto and will be videotaped -- with the short presentation at Nats Park also shown live on the jumbotron during a break between innings. 

Read the press release below about this exciting day for DC SCORES and Toyota's impressive philanthropic efforts in the Washington, DC community.

Washington, DC – (June 28, 2012) – DC SCORES, which provides award-winning after-school programs for low-income youth in Washington, DC, today is receiving a brand new Toyota Sienna as part of the automaker’s100 Cars for Good program. The Toyota 100 Cars for Good is  a national philanthropic initiative which awards 100 cars to deserving nonprofit organizations with winners selected daily on Facebook for 100 days through August 21.

Joined by dozens of DC SCORES participants at Marie Reed Elementary School this afternoon, Toyota Vice President Michael Rouse will present the keys to the new vehicle to DC SCORES Executive Director Amy Nakamoto during a press conference.

“There is a lack of after-school programs in the DC area and DC SCORES has stepped in to fill that need – offering kids the chance to participate in organized sports and arts programs,” Rouse said. “Toyota is committed to being a community partner and is focused on supporting programs in ways that achieve long-term sustainable results. We hope this vehicle helps DC SCORES build upon the amazing work already established here in Washington.”

Amy Nakamoto said, “We are extremely excited to be receiving a van from Toyota through the 100 Cars for Good program. Thanks to Toyota's generosity and service to our community, we will be able to provide and transport much-needed soccer and writing equipment to over 40 DC public schools who host a DC SCORES after-school program. This will increase our efficiency in using time, money and people to directly impact hundreds of DC students in the coming years. We are very grateful to be part of such a large and effective philanthropic initiative by Toyota.”

DC SCORES was selected as a finalist out of thousands of applicants nationwide and chosen by online voters as this year’s first winner. Their programs benefit more than 800 children at 27 schools across Washington, DC. The new Sienna minivan will support DC SCORES activities that promote physical activity and creativity throughout the city and will help facilitate the organization’s expansion to 20 new schools in the District. DC SCORES detailed how they will use their new Toyota Sienna in a video, found here.

Toyota will profile five finalists each day at www.100carsforgood.com, where individual members of the public are invited to vote for the nonprofit they think can do the most good with a new vehicle. The nonprofit with the most votes at the end of each day wins one of six Toyota models. Runners-up each receive a $1,000 cash grant from Toyota. A six-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty will also be provided for each vehicle, compliments of Toyota Financial Services. 

About DC SCORES:

DC SCORES is the quality, team-based approach to a well-rounded childhood, providing youth with the arts, athletics, and academics that will engage, enrich and improve their lives. DC SCORES builds teams through after-school programs for more than 800 low-income DC youth at 27 schools by instilling self-expression, physical fitness, and a sense of community. DC SCORES accomplishes this in an innovative model combining poetry and spoken word, soccer and service-learning year-round. DC SCORES has worked with more than 6,000 students since its founding in 1994 and aims to serve every child in the District of Columbia. DC SCORES is an affiliate of America SCORES, with organizations in 14 cities.  Additional information is available at www.DCSCORES.org.

About Toyota:

Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants in eight states. There are nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in the U.S. which sold more than 1.64 million vehicles in 2011. Toyota directly employs more than 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 $25 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 http://www.ToyotaInAction.com.

Media Contact:                                                                           

ALEC GERLACH, GLOVER PARK GROUP

202.292.6975/OFFICE

517.214.7415/CELL

AGERLACH@GPGDC.COM