Caring for the Homeless of Peekskill Named a Finalist in Toyota's 100 Cars for Good

From CHOP: Caring for the Homeless of Peekskill (“C.H.O.P.”) has been selected as one of 500 nonprofit finalists in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program, a major philanthropic initiative in which the automaker is giving 100 cars to 100 vehicles over the course of 100 days.  C.H.O.P. was selected as a finalist from more than 4,000 applications nationwide. 

Each day, beginning May 14, 2012, 100 Cars for Good will profile five finalists at www.100carsforgood.com.   Individual members of the public who are Facebook subscribers will be able to vote for which ever nonprofit they think can do the most good with a new vehicle.  The nonprofit with the most votes at the end of each day will win one of six Toyota models.  Runners-up will each receive a $1,000 cash grant from Toyota. 

C.H.O.P. WILL BE UP FOR CONSIDERATION ON FRIDAY, JUNE 15TH FROM 10:00 AM TO 11:59:59 PM.

  “We at C.H.O.P. Are especially thrilled to be selected as a finalist for the 2012 100 Cars for Good program,” said Donna Besteiro, C.H.O.P.'S Executive Director.  “Not only is it an incredible opportunity for us to inform and educate our immediate community and our neighboring communities about the important work we are doing to alleviate hunger and homelessness, if we are awarded a vehicle, the impact that our work is having on improving the quality of life for all citizens in these communities will be greatly enhanced.  A vehicle will enable us to connect our clients with the services they need to become independent and solid contributors to society.  It will also allow us to pick up donations we cannot obtain today without a vehicle.

 “We hope that you will help us in spreading the word about our mission AND that you will make the time to visit www.100carsforgood.com on June 15^th to VOTE FOR C.H.O.P.!!”

CHOP submitted an application that detailed the background of the organization, the services it provide, the community to which it provide services and the "need" for the vehicle. They also produced a two minute video that captured the services they provide and explained the need for the vehicle. Watch the video above. 

“At Toyota, we appreciate what a significant impact a new car can have for nonprofits nationwide,” noted Michael Rouse, vice president of philanthropy for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.  “Toyota has donated more than half a billion dollars to nonprofits across the U.S. over the past 20 years, and 100 Cars for Good allows us to expand that commitment to local communities in important new ways.  The 500 finalists are an extraordinary group, and we look forward to the public learning more about them.”

100 Cars for Good is the first initiative to directly engage the public to determine how Toyota’s philanthropic donations are awarded.  

For more information on C.H.O.P. and its efforts to win one of Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good, please visit C.H.O.P.'s website at www.janpeekhouse.org.  You can also follow them on Facebook.  For complete information on 100 Cars for Good and profiles of all 500 finalists, please visit www.100carsforgood.com.

Local residents are encouraged to support C.H.O.P. and their quest for a new Toyota. If C.H.O.P. receives the most votes and is awarded the vehicle, it will be used primarily for transport of food and supplies needed by the Sunny Donut breakfast program, Fred's Pantry food pantry and Jan Peek House homeless shelter.  This transporting is now done by staff and volunteers using their private vehicles. 

A six-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty will also be provided for each vehicle, compliments of Toyota Financial Services.