Toyota Gives 20 Vehicles to Assist with Sandy Relief Efforts

Sandy devastated communities in the north east

In one more example of how Toyota cares for community, Toyota is putting more money where its mouth is by loaning 19 vehicles to the American Red Cross in an effort to provide more relief to those still suffering from the aftereffects of Superstorm Sandy that hit the north east in October 2012. Toyota is also giving one vehicle to a local New Jersey church in hopes it will have a positive impact on that community that was also devastated by the storm.

The gift of these vehicles is in addition to the $1 million and five vehicles Toyota previously donated to assist with Sandy relief.

“We understand the ongoing need for Hurricane Sandy relief ... four months after the disaster,” says Steve Haag, assistant general manager for Toyota’s New York region. “We want to honor those making an impact rebuilding their community after the devastation of Sandy.”

While this may not affect too many of us in the Puget Sound area, employees at Burien Toyota are proud to work for a company that not only says it cares about community, but shows it repeatedly.

"It'd be very easy for a large company like Toyota to say 'We gave our $1 million, we don't need to do any more,' but Toyota didn't do that," Ted Klarich, general manager of Burien Toyota said. "One million dollars is a lot of money, but even four months after the storm, Toyota revisited what it could do to help, determined it could do more, and did so. It's really great to be a part of a company like that. I know that if something major like Sandy were to happen in our community, Toyota would step up and try to help."

The American Red Cross is grateful for Toyota's generosity and continued support of Sandy victims.

“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. 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.”

For more information about how you can help the victims of Superstorm Sandy, visit the American Red Cross website.