BAY HEAD, N.J., March 1, 2013 – Toyota announced today a significant vehicle donation equivalent to more than $100,000 to help aid the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy.

Today, four months from the day the storm made landfall in the Northeast, the company donated the use of 19 Toyota vehicles to the region’s Red Cross to support relief transportation for one full year. Additionally, Toyota is giving a brand-new 4Runner SUV to Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church in Bay Head, N.J., to aid in transportation and local cleanup. These contributions are in addition to a $1 million donation made by the company to support Sandy relief efforts last year, as well as five vehicles donated at that time.

The donations were presented to both organizations today at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church in Bay Head, N.J.

Commenting on the donation, Steve Haag, assistant general manager for Toyota’s New York region, said, “We understand the ongoing need for Hurricane Sandy relief aid and we want to make sure the community knows they are still being supported four months after the disaster.” On deciding which Sandy fund to donate to, Haag shared that “our search quickly led us to the region’s Red Cross and Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, specifically Pastor Scott Bostwick. Both organizations are known throughout the region for their dedicated hard work and we want to honor those making an impact rebuilding their community after the devastation of Sandy.”

Scott Bostwick, Pastor of Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, offered praise for Toyota’s donations, saying, “Studies show that national crisis donations taper off after five months. A donation like this from Toyota not only provides us with great relief aid, but also reassures our community that our needs aren’t going unnoticed or unmet.”

“American Red Cross disaster recovery efforts are ongoing across multiple states affected by Superstorm Sandy, including our efforts here in counties from the northern edge to the southern tip of New Jersey,” said Nancy Orlando, regional CEO, American Red Cross South Jersey Region. “We’re thrilled to have this fleet of Toyota vehicles, a generous donation that will enable the Red Cross to move manpower and resources more efficiently throughout affected regions.”

The Toyota donation unveiling event included remarks from Pastor Scott Bostwick and from Steven G. Crawford, M.D., Chairman of the Board of the American Red Cross Jersey Coast Chapter. Members of the Red Cross also provided details on how and where others can assist in the relief process. Additional remarks were given by Toyota executives.

Ways to Help:
 
To learn more about the Red Cross’ Sandy relief efforts and find out more about how you can get involved, please visit: http://rdcrss.org/VOKpSS

For more details on the United Methodist Church’s disaster response to Sandy, including how to help or donate, please visit: http://bit.ly/13p1eIg

###