Toyota Helps Local Chicago Area Homeless Families In Need By Donating Winter Boots and Socks While Showcasing Great Cars and Trucks
Media Inquiries to:
Curt McAllister
Cell: 313-318-3906
Toyota Midwest Public Relations
Curt_mcallister@toyota.com
Crystal Williams
Cell: 313-402-5722
Crystal Vision Communications, LLC
crystal@crystalvisioncommunications.com
Jackie Rachev
Cell: 773-551-9069
The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division PR
Jacqueline_rachev@usc.salvationarmy.org
Lisa Wilmore
Cell: 313-980-4766
Lisawilmore5@aol.com
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Toyota Helps Local Chicago Area Homeless Families In Need By Donating Winter Boots and Socks While Showcasing Great Cars and Trucks
Held in conjunction with the 2018 Chicago Auto Show
‘Toyota Walk In My Boots’ Community Outreach Project
Enriching Lives…One Step At A Time at The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge
(Chicago) Feb. 6, 2018 - While Toyota will showcase new vehicles at the opening day of the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, it is also stepping in through its “Toyota Walk In My Boots” community outreach project to help Chicago area homeless families by providing new winter boots and socks to residents of The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge, a homeless haven for families in Chicago.
While many programs offer winter coat giveaways, a person’s feet are often left vulnerable to freezing temperatures and even frostbite. Without proper clothing to fight the cold elements of a Chicago winter, people experiencing homelessness have a much higher risk than the general population of developing exposure-related conditions such as hypothermia and frostbite. With this donation, many families will be shielded from the cold. In addition, Toyota plans to donate $15,000 to The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division/Greater Chicagoland enabling them to continue to provide support for families in times of crisis.
Since the program’s inception in 2012, Toyota has donated over 3,200 pairs of BOGS insulated winter boots, guaranteed to weather harsh conditions, and Smartwool socks, the official sock of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard teams, to families in need in Detroit, Baltimore, Chicago, Harrisburg, PA, and Washington, DC. This is Toyota’s fifth year supporting this program in Chicago.
The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge is a haven for women and men with children, along with married couples with children suddenly homeless because of eviction, disasters such as a fire or flood, loss of utilities, domestic violence, being stranded while traveling or other crises. The average stay is 63 days, but some stay longer, depending on the time needed to locate permanent living arrangements. The Booth Lodge also provides food, clothing, and housing and job search assistance, as well as, tutoring and after school activities for the children.
When: Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018; Media check-in, 10:45 a.m.; Press Conference, 11:00 a.m.
MEDIA INTERVIEWS/PHOTO OP – Toyota executives and local dealers will distribute winter boots and socks to almost 200 residents of The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge; along with a $15,000 donation check presentation from Toyota Motor North America to The Salvation Army of Chicago Metropolitan Division. Toyota will also provide a “Thanksgiving-Style” buffet luncheon for the residents.
RSVP to: Lisa Wilmore at 313-980-4766, or via email to lisawilmore5@aol.com.
Where: The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge
800 W. Lawrence Avenue
Chicago, IL 60640
I.D. is required for entrance. Parking is available on the west side of the building.
Who: Speakers include:
Mike Lemay, assistant general manager, Toyota Chicago Sales Region;
Major Kjell Steinsland, divisional secretary for Business, The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division;
Desmond Roberts, new dealer principal, Advantage Toyota of River Oaks; and
Alva Mason, national director, Multicultural Business Alliance & Strategy, Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
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