Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are proud to recognize Toyota as a Sustaining Host sponsor for the 35th National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG). Toyota will also be providing a fleet of complimentary vehicles wrapped and branded with Toyota and NVWG logos for official staff use throughout the week. More than 600 veterans are expected to compete in this year’s Games, which begin today in Dallas, Texas with events like track and field, softball, and basketball, and continue through June 26.
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(from L to R) Toyota National Fleet Marketing, Mobility and Strategic Planning Manager, Mark Oldenburg pictured with Paralyzed Veterans of America National President Al Kovach Jr., Toyota Motor North America, Inc. Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Simon Nagata, and Paralyzed Veterans of America Deputy Executive Director Sherman Gillums Jr. at the Toyota Wall of Appreciation at the 35th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Dallas, Texas (Photo: Business Wire)
“On behalf of the more than 33,000 team members here in the U.S., Toyota is very proud of its 16-year relationship with the Paralyzed Veterans of America,” said Simon Nagata, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, Toyota Motor North America, Inc. “It is truly an honor and a privilege for Toyota to once again be a sustaining sponsor of the 35th annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games and support the many brave men and women who serve our country and defend our freedom.”
“Toyota’s involvement with an event as important as the National Veterans Wheelchair Games is extremely gratifying and meaningful,” said Mark Oldenburg, Toyota National Fleet Marketing, Mobility and Strategic Planning Manager. “The privilege of witnessing the courageous veteran athletes who participate in the ‘Wheelchair Games’ is a very humbling experience. For it showcases the true meaning of the human spirit, as every athlete in the ‘Games’ is an American hero and thus, a champion. To say Toyota is very grateful to play a sponsor role in the success of the Games is an understatement.”
This year marks the 16th year that Toyota will sponsor the National Veterans Wheelchair Games—the largest annual wheelchair multi-sports event in the world, now in its 35th year. Toyota serves as one of the event host sponsors for table tennis and track. Toyota will also serve as sponsor of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games Wall of Appreciation. The Wall of Appreciation is a large message board on display during the entire week of the Games where Veteran athletes, family members, volunteers and anyone passing through are invited to handwrite a message of thanks and support to the athletes.
“Toyota has once again stepped up to support our nation’s disabled veterans at this year’s National Veterans Wheelchair Games,” said Al Kovach, national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America. “We thank Toyota for their continued support of this important rehabilitative event and for their commitment to our veteran wheelchair athletes.”
The National Veterans Wheelchair Games, presented annually by Paralyzed Veterans and VA, are open to all U.S. military veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition as a result of spinal cord injury, certain neurological conditions, amputations or other mobility impairments, and who receive care at VA medical facilities or military treatment centers.
“The National Veterans Wheelchair Games represents a significant commitment to the rehabilitation of our nations veterans and empowering them to live more healthy and active lives through sports and recreation. The partnership with our sponsors to fulfill our mission, especially American Airlines, helps us to reach out and support more of our nation’s heroes,” said David Tostenrude, director of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.
Veterans at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games will compete in 18 events: air guns, archery, basketball, boccia, bowling, handcycling, a motorized wheelchair rally, nine ball, power soccer, quad rugby, slalom, softball, swimming, table tennis, track and field, trapshooting and weightlifting. This year’s Games will also feature a rowing exhibition. Athletes compete in all events against others with similar athletic ability, competitive experience or age.
For more information about the 35th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, please visit www.wheelchairgames.org.
About Paralyzed Veterans of America
Paralyzed Veterans of America is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease. For nearly 70 years, Paralyzed Veterans has ensured that veterans have received the benefits earned through their service to our nation; monitored their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funded research and education in the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with paralysis.
As a partner for life, Paralyzed Veterans also develops training and career services, works to ensure accessibility in public buildings and spaces, provides health and rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation and advocates for veterans and all people with disabilities. With more than 70 offices and 34 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans serves veterans, their families and their caregivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. (www.pva.org)
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), the world's top automaker and creator of the Prius and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, we’ve built more than 25 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 42,000 people (more than 33,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.67 million cars and trucks (more than 2.35 million in the U.S.) in 2014 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
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Contacts:
Lani Poblete, 202-416-7667
