Toyota Continues To Help Detroit Area Homeless Women and Local Families In Need Even In the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Detroit, Mich. – In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Toyota Motor North America continued its commitment to support the local community for the tenth consecutive year through its “Walk In My Boots” community outreach project. On Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, Toyota stepped in to protect Detroit area homeless women and low-income families from the cold by donating new insulated winter boots, guaranteed to weather harsh conditions, and Smartwool socks to more than 100 residents of The Salvation Army Detroit Harbor Light/Booth Family Shelter, a homeless shelter primarily for women and single mothers and their children, and local families from The Salvation Army Pathway of Hope program.
The coronavirus pandemic has affected every community in different ways. Those experiencing homelessness are one of the most vulnerable populations in the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent report published by the nonprofit National Alliance to End Homelessness says that the homeless population in the U.S. “are twice as likely to be hospitalized, two to four times as likely to require critical care, and two to three times as likely to die as the general population” as a result of the pandemic. The disease has indeed struck the homeless living on streets and in shelters throughout the U.S., and cases are climbing among this highly at-risk group.
“At Toyota, we are more than just a car company,” said Alva Adams Mason, senior director, Multicultural Business Alliance and Strategy, and Multicultural Dealer Relations, Toyota Motor North America. “We’re passionate about serving the communities where we live, work, and play. And we hope that our donation of winter boots and socks to the families will help to enrich their lives…one step at a time in these times of crises. We also want the work that is being done at The Salvation Army Harbor Light/Booth Family Shelter to continue for years to come.”
Winter is the hardest time of year for homeless and low-income families. When temperatures drop below freezing as they often do in Michigan, people are at severe risk for hypothermia to set in and consequences can be fatal. While many programs offer winter coat giveaways, a person’s feet are often left exposed as many low-income families use local modes of transportation like taking the bus or walking in harsh elements. The timing of the winter boots and socks giveaway was a comfort to many as freezing rain and cold temperatures hit Michigan this weekend.
“It’s important to protect one’s feet, especially when dealing with Michigan’s brutal cold temperatures and wintry weather,” says, Jamie Winkler, executive director of The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Harbor Light System. “The Salvation Army is appreciative of Toyota Motor North America’s Walk in My Boots program. We are blessed to have support from good corporate citizens who are ‘Doing the Most Good’ by raising awareness of our mission to feed, clothe and shelter those who are less fortunate.”
Toyota donated $15,000 to The Salvation Army Harbor Light/Booth Family Shelter enabling them to continue to provide refuge for homeless women and low-income families in times of crisis. The families were also treated to a buffet luncheon by Unique Food Catering. Through this program, in Detroit alone, Toyota has donated over 1,700 pairs of winter boots and contributed more than $130,000 to the TSA Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division. The project has also been held in Chicago, Washington DC, Baltimore, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
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About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships. Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 36,000 in the U.S. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 30 million cars and trucks at our 9 manufacturing plants, 10 including our joint venture in Alabama that is scheduled to begin production in 2021.
To help inspire the next generation for a career in STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience and chance to visit many of our U.S. manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips and more. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
About The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division
The Salvation Army Detroit Harbor Light/Booth Family Shelter located in Detroit provides residents with emergency shelter for up to 90 days for single women and single mothers and their children who have become victims of unfortunate life circumstances such as house fire, job loss, foreclosure, or domestic violence. Through the shelter they can receive emergency assistance, case management and pastoral care and worship and special services such as utility assistance, down payment assistance toward first month’s rent, food, and clothing assistance. Meanwhile, The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope initiative provides individualized services to families with children who desire to take action to break the cycle of crisis and vulnerability that repeats generation after generation. It seeks to address the root causes of poverty in addition to The Army’s history of compassionate serving. By helping families overcome challenges like unemployment, unstable housing, and lack of education, we can lead families down a path toward increased stability and, ultimately, self-sufficiency.
Media Contacts:
Curt McAllister
313-318-3906
Toyota Midwest Corporate Communications
curt_mcallister@toyota.com
Sharon Tatom Garcia
248-331-5561
The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division
Sharon.TatomGarcia@usc.salvationarmy.org
Crystal Williams
313-402-5722
Crystal Vision Communications, LLC
crystal@crystalvisioncommunications.com
Lisa Wilmore
313-980-4766
lisawilmore5@aol.com