WASHINGTON, DC—Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are proud to recognize Toyota as a Sustaining Host sponsor for the 35^TH National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG). Toyota will also be providing a fleet of complimentary vehicles wrapped and branded with Toyota and NVWG logos for official staff use throughout the week. More than 600 veterans are expected to compete in this year’s Games, with events like track and field, softball, and basketball beginning tomorrow June 22 in Dallas, Texas and continuing through June 26.
 
“On behalf of the more than 33,000 team members here in the U.S., Toyota is very proud of its 16-year relationship with the Paralyzed Veterans of America,” said Simon Nagata, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, Toyota Motor North America, Inc. “It is truly an honor and a privilege for Toyota to once again be a sustaining sponsor of the 35th annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games and support the many brave men and women who serve our country and defend our freedom.”
 
“Toyota’s involvement with an event as important as the National Veterans Wheelchair Games is extremely gratifying and meaningful,” said Mark Oldenburg, Toyota National Fleet Marketing, Mobility and Strategic Planning Manager. “The privilege of witnessing the courageous veteran athletes who participate in the ‘Wheelchair Games’ is a very humbling experience. For it showcases the true meaning of the human spirit, as every athlete in the ‘Games’ is an American hero and thus, a champion. To say Toyota is very grateful to play a sponsor role in the success of the Games is an understatement.”
 
This year marks the 16th year that Toyota will sponsor the National Veterans Wheelchair Games—the largest annual wheelchair multi-sports event in the world, now in its 35^th year. Toyota serves as one of the event host sponsors for table tennis and track. Toyota will also serve as sponsor of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games Wall of Appreciation. The Wall of Appreciation is a large message board on display during the entire week of the Games where Veteran athletes, family members, volunteers and anyone passing through are invited to handwrite a message of thanks and support to the athletes.
 
“Toyota has once again stepped up to support our nation’s disabled veterans at this year’s National Veterans Wheelchair Games,” said Al Kovach, national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America. “We thank Toyota for their continued support of this important rehabilitative event and for their commitment to our veteran wheelchair athletes.”
 
The National Veterans Wheelchair Games, presented annually by Paralyzed Veterans and VA, are open to all U.S. military veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition as a result of spinal cord injury, certain neurological conditions, amputations or other mobility impairments, and who receive care at VA medical facilities or military treatment centers.
 
“The National Veterans Wheelchair Games represents a significant commitment to the rehabilitation of our nations veterans and empowering them to live more healthy and active lives through sports and recreation. The partnership with our sponsors to fulfill our mission, especially American Airlines, helps us to reach out and support more of our nation’s heroes,” said David Tostenrude, director of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.
 
Veterans at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games will compete in 18 events: air guns, archery, basketball, boccia, bowling, handcycling, a motorized wheelchair rally, nine ball, power soccer, quad rugby, slalom, softball, swimming, table tennis, track and field, trapshooting and weightlifting. This year’s Games will also feature a rowing exhibition. Athletes compete in all events against others with similar athletic ability, competitive experience or age.
 
For more information about the 35th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, please visit www.wheelchairgames.org.