1997 Toyota Camry Donation Helps Raise More Than $200,000 For New York Special Olympics

15 August 1997
1997 Toyota Camry Donation Helps Raise More Than $200,000 For New York Special Olympics

    MONTICELLO, N.Y., Aug. 15 -- Toyota Motor Corporate Services
(TMCS), Inc. , today announced the winner of a free 1997 Camry
LE.  The vehicle, donated by Toyota, will be presented to Caroline Hendrickson
of Jeffersonville at a ceremony at Toyota of Monticello today at 3:00 p.m.
    The largest of more than 50 U.S. chapters, NYSO provides year round sports
training and athletic competition in 22 Olympic-style sports for nearly 40,000
children and adults with mental retardation, through a network of 30,000
dedicated volunteers.  Ms. Hendrickson, who purchased the winning ticket from
a local Sullivan County volunteer, said,  "I am not only thrilled to win a new
Toyota, but grateful that my participation in the raffle helped benefit the
great work being done by Special Olympics."
    The winning Camry raffle ticket was drawn at a recent Toyota-sponsored
celebrity golf tournament which raised more than $200,000 for the charity.
Takeshi Nagaya, president of TMCS, noted the significance of the company's
seven year commitment to NYSO.  "Toyota is proud of the thousands of Special
Olympics athletes that serve as a model for us all.  We are pleased to provide
the opportunity for these inspiring athletes to reach their goals at NYSO
events across the state."  The annual golf tournament has raised more than
$800,000 since 1991.
    Over the last six years, Toyota has invested more than $75 million in
various local and national organizations that respond to social concerns, with
a focus on improving educational opportunities in the United States.
    Special Olympics athletes, under the supervision of certified coaches,
train to earn the right to compete in athletic competitions at the local,
regional, state and international levels.  This helps build sports skills,
confidence, strength, motivation and self-esteem for everyone involved.

SOURCE  Toyota Motor Corporate Services, Inc.