Toyota donates 29 vehicles to Houston area Boys & Girls Clubs

(October 12, 2017) HOUSTON —  Earlier this week, Boys & Girls Clubs in the Greater Houston area were given 29 vehicles from Toyota Financial Services to help with relief and rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Harvey. The cars will provide staff with better ground access for day-to-day operations like transporting kids to their facilities after school.

"It's in moments of crisis that kids and teens most need a safe haven, and I am inspired by our selfless staff in Houston who worked around the clock during Hurricane Harvey to ensure our Club members had a positive, safe place to go," said Jim Clark, president & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

"Though the storm has since passed, the rebuilding continues. Toyota has stepped up in a huge way to support these ongoing relief efforts, and on behalf of our staff and Club members, we thank them for their generous donation."

More than 157 Clubs from Texas to Louisiana were in the direct path of the storm that hit this past August, and several facilities in Houston suffered both structural and flooding damage. Many Houston area Clubs remained open throughout the storm, a sign of Boys & Girls Clubs' unwavering commitment to support local youth and their families.

"As fellow Texans, the impact of Hurricane Harvey hit close to home," said Mike Groff, CEO of Toyota Financial Services (TFS). "We hope this donation will make life easier for Club staff, kids, teens and families who are still affected by the storm."

"We are astounded by Toyota's donation and are incredibly grateful for their support of the Houston area," said Kevin Hattery, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston. "The recovery and rebuilding process, especially after such devastation, can be greatly overwhelming. Toyota's support will positively impact our day-to-day operations so that we can put our best efforts towards getting local kids and their families back to normal as quickly as possible."

This is not the first philanthropic partnership between Toyota and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Since 2007, through its "Making Life Easier" program, TFS has provided local Boys & Girls Club members, alumni and staff with resources to help ensure that all youth have access to a quality education. TFS has provided more than $2.4 million in academic scholarships for more than 560 Boys & Girls Club alumni and staff and supported thousands of middle- and high-school youth with mentorships, internships and financial or career programs to help them become productive and caring adults.