Toyota To Donate Winter Boots To Homeless Chicago Area Families
'Toyota Walk In My Boots' Community Outreach Project
Enriching Lives…One Step At A Time at The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge
Held in conjunction with the Chicago Auto Show
CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Homelessness is on the rise in the Chicago area, and city officials have identified poverty as the leading cause of homelessness among families with children; followed by lack of affordable housing and unemployment. If you are poor, you are essentially an illness, an accident, or a paycheck away from living on the streets.
While Toyota will debut new vehicles at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, it is also stepping in to help area homeless families by providing new insulated winter boots and socks to residents of The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge in Chicago through its "Toyota Walk In My Boots" community outreach project. Having adequate clothing to fight the cold elements of a Chicago winter can be challenging for low-income families. While many programs offer winter coat giveaways, a person's feet are often left vulnerable to freezing temperatures and even frostbite. With this donation, many families will be shielded from the cold. In addition, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, plans to give a $15,000 donation to The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division enabling them to continue to provide support for families in times of crisis.
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. As an interim housing program, the Lodge provides shelter for as many as 60 families each night. The average stay is 63 days, but some stay longer, depending on the time needed to locate permanent living arrangements. The Lodge also provides food, clothing, and housing and job search assistance, as well as, tutoring and after school activities for the children.
| When: |
Saturday, February 14, 2015; Media check-in, 10:45 a.m.; Press Conference, 11:00 a.m. |
| MEDIA EVENT/PHOTO OP – "Toyota Walk In My Boots" Community Outreach Project includes winter boots and socks distribution to residents of The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge; and a $15,000 donation presentation from Toyota Motor Sales, USA to The Salvation Army of Chicago Metropolitan Division. Toyota will also provide a "down-home" buffet luncheon for the residents. |
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| Where: |
The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge |
| 800 W. Lawrence Avenue |
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| Chicago, IL 60640 |
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| I.D. is required for entrance. Parking is available on the west side of the building. |
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| Who: |
Spokespersons include: Kevin Fletcher, general manager, Toyota Chicago Region; Lt. Colonel Charles H. Smith, divisional commander, The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division; and Alva Mason, national manager, African American Business Strategy – Corporate Communications, Toyota Motor Sales, USA. |
SOURCE Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
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