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The Sienna minivan for Providence is one of 16 donated vehicles that have been specially built by Toyota to better assist those who are mobility-impaired, whether due to illness, age or disability. The delivery took place at Toyota’s Torrance, Calif., campus.
“We are so grateful to Toyota for the generosity they have shown to organizations like us through the 100 Cars for Good program,” said Terri Warren, CEO, Providence TrinityCare Hospice. “The Sienna will help us provide safe, reliable transportation to families in need, and since mobility is a challenge for many, the Auto Access Seat makes it that much more valuable. We know that all of the winners of 100 Cars for Good feel the same appreciation we do.”
Providence TrinityKids Care in Los Angeles and Orange counties in California is a pediatric hospice service for critically ill children and their families. Its team of medical experts provide their expertise to help keep children comfortable at home.
The organization is the only dedicated in-home children’s hospice and palliative care program in the region. Providence plans to use its 2012 Toyota Sienna to develop its Transportation Program, which will help families get to and from medical appointments.
Toyota introduced the U.S. auto industry’s first factory-installed, power rotating lift-up seat in the Toyota Sienna, which is the minivan selected by Providence TrinityKids Care.
Toyota calls this feature Auto Access Seat, a lift-up seat designed to assist passengers to get in and out of the vehicle with ease and safety.
Ten other winning organizations will also receive a Toyota Sienna with this equipment.
“Being a part of this program has been a joy and an honor as we got to know each of the winning organizations and the work they do. They all represent truly the best of human compassion, ingenuity and dedication, and we thank them for their ongoing service,” said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.
Five of the winners will receive a Toyota Sienna Rampvan, a lowered-floor minivan with a power ramp for wheelchair access.
These five Sienna (pictured) minivans were converted by BraunAbility, a Toyota business partner, and the largest manufacturer of wheelchair-accessible vans and wheelchair lifts worldwide.
“The Braun Corp. was delighted to play a role in the 100 Cars for Good program. We see the need for mobility vehicles every day, and the enormous impact just one of these cars can make. We applaud Toyota for making this investment ... and congratulate each of the organizations,” said Nick Gutwein, president of Braun.
Winners of the Toyota 100 Cars for Good program were determined based on voting on Facebook. Each day, five organizations were profiled on Toyota’s Facebook page and there was a daily vote. Each daily winner was awarded a new Toyota vehicle to help the organizations continue to do “good” in their local communities. The remaining finalists each received $1,000 grants from Toyota.
Public voting for the 100 Cars for Good program ran from May 9 to Aug. 16. Winning organizations could choose from among these vehicles: The Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, Highlander Hybrid, Sienna or Sienna Mobility. Toyota Financial Services is providing a six-year, 100,000-mile Toyota Vehicle Service Agreement so each organizational winner will have extended protection beyond the vehicle warranty.
Reach TN's Hawke Fracassa at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @HawkeFracassa.
Image source: Toyota
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