Toyota of Manhattan Keeps Big Apple Giving

Toyota of Manhattan launched its second Big Apple Giving campaign on Facebook where fans get the opportunity to vote for their favorite charity from a list of three pre-selected nominees. Toyota of Manhattan will donate $2,500 to the one with the most votes. The current contenders are:

• Food Bank of NYC: Works to end hunger in New York City by organizing food, information and support for community survival and dignity
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City: Provides mentors to all children who need caring adult role models–special friends who can help expand their horizons, realize their potential and enrich their futures–changing their lives.
• The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, Inc.: Committed to seeing the day when no New York City dog or cat of reasonable health and temperament is killed merely because he or she does not have a home.

“As a Manhattan business, we felt a sense of responsibility to help our neighbors and partner with worthy local organizations that could help the community,” stated Toyota of Manhattan General Manager Steve Kritikos.

To become a fan and vote for your favorite charity, visit www.Facebook.com/ToyotaOfManhattan.

Voting for this quarter ends July 3, 2012.

Fans can also play to win an iPad 2 and answer trivia questions for free coupons to NYC restaurants. Additionally, as a fan you can cash in on exclusive online service specials and sign up for Toyota of Manhattan’s VIP discount program to get up to 20% off on all Toyota | Scion parts, accessories and regularly-scheduled maintenance.

All visitors can keep updated on events in and around New York City. As the ‘Big Apple’ guide to the Big Apple, Toyota of Manhattan knows their customer base is a varied and fun group.

To nominate a future non-profit, please contact jason.schroeck@toyotaofmanhattan.com.

Charity Profile: Nourishing NYC

As previously posted HERE, on our Facebook Fan Page, we have 3 wonderful local charities that are being voted on by our customers, staff, fans & friends. Become our fan at Toyota of Manhattan and pick a charity from our list of three. Humane Society of New York, Variety the Children’s Charity of New York or Nourishing NYC. We will donate $2,500 to the one with the most votes by February 28, 2012! Vote for your Favorite Charity

We thought it would be a good idea if you knew a little more about each organization. With this in mind we decided to do a weekly “Charity Profile” for the next 3 weeks so you can understand what each organization specifically does, why the organization feels they should win the contest and what they would do with the money, should the organization win. Our last but not least organization to be profiled is: Nourishing NYC

Organization: Nourishing NYC

Phone: (646) 524-7627

Address: 419 Lafayette St. 2nd Floor New York, NY 10003

Website: www.nourishingnyc.org

Facebook: facebook.com/nourishingnyc1

Twitter: @NourishingNYC

Company Overview:

Nourishing operates throughout the 5 boroughs, to provide “Nutrition For All.” Nourishing opened in 2008 to address poor nutrition and health while simultaneously addressing the issue of food scarcity and hunger issues afflicting the poverty-stricken East Harlem community of New York City.

Mission:

Nourishing NYC’s mission is to alleviate the strong correlation between low-income status and poor dietary health. We provide nutritious meals and nutritional education without question and without criticism. Anyone is welcome regardless of age, sex, race, financial qualifications, or religious beliefs. We achieve our mission through a three-pronged approach to feed, educate and advocate for those in need throughout New York City.

Why should Nourishing NYC win Toyota of Manhattan’s “Vote for your Favorite Charity” contest:

Nourishing NYC should win Toyota of Manhattan’s “Vote for your Favorite Charity” contest because we need funding to be able to provide citizen’s with need throughout New York City with a quality free urban produce garden, Junior Chef Program as well as through our advocacy campaign. In addition to maintaining the programs we have that help thousands of New Yorkers each year we are always striving to expand our programs and community-based anti-hunger initiatives.

What would you do with the $2,500 should Nourishing NYC win Toyota of Manhattan’s “Vote for your Favorite Charity” contest:

$2,500 will help us in our Thanksgiving Giveback campaign for the 2012 season. With the winnings from the contest we will be able to purchase hundreds of turkeys to give to in-need and impoverished families throughout NYC. Last year we gave out 1,000 turkeys and fed 10,000 people this year we would like to be able to feed even more people. In addition to the turkeys, we also provide urban nutrition classes from our V.A.N (Vehicle Advocating Nutrition), we bring health and nutrition classes to the street. With the $2,500 we could expand this program into even more neighborhoods and help win the battle between high levels of obesity and diabetes in low-income neighborhoods, by providing Nutrition For All.

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• You Pick the Charity, We’ll Donate $2,500 (toyotamanhattan.wordpress.com)
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Charity Profile: Variety the Children’s Charity of New York

As previously posted HERE, on our Facebook Fan Page, we have 3 wonderful local charities that are being voted on by our customers, staff, fans & friends. Become our fan at Toyota of Manhattan and pick a charity from our list of three. Humane Society of New York, Variety the Children’s Charity of New York or Nourishing NYC. We will donate $2,500 to the one with the most votes by February 28, 2012! Vote for your Favorite Charity

We thought it would be a good idea if you knew a little more about each organization. With this in mind we decided to do a weekly “Charity Profile” for the next 3 weeks so you can understand what each organization specifically does, why the organization feels they should win the contest and what they would do with the money, should the organization win. Our second organization to be profiled is: Variety the Children’s Charity of New York

Photography Develops My Mind

Organization: Variety the Children’s Charity of New York

Phone: (212) 760 2777

Address: 505 Eight Ave, 1800, New York, NY 10018

Website: www.varietyny.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/varietyny

Twitter: @VarietyNY

Company Overview:

Variety New York is part of Variety International, an organization that has been dedicated to supporting children across the globe for over 84 years.  The journey began in 1927, with a baby girl called Catherine, who was found abandoned on a seat at the Sheridan Square Theater in Pittsburgh, PA.  A group of 11 gentlemen affiliated with the entertainment industry agreed to provide financial and educational support to Catherine.  The welfare of this one orphan became the inspiration and motivation behind Variety the Children’s Charity! Today there are over 50 chapters in 14 countries all with a dedicated goal of supporting children.

Variety New York provides more than grants to grassroots organizations that are transforming the lives of under-served children through the arts. Variety provides a comprehensive, value-added set of resources that include technical assistance, evaluation, partnerships and collective infrastructure. In the past 5 years, Variety New York has supported over 25 organizations. In 2011/2012 alone, Variety New York is supporting 14 grantees and over 10,000 children and youth in the Tri-State area.

Mission:

For over 60 years, Variety the Children’s charity of New York has been creating opportunities and providing resources for children in the Tri-State area. Our mission is:

“To support grassroots non-profit organizations in the Tri-State area whose programs use the arts as a catalyst to transforming the lives of under-served children.”

Why should Variety the Children’s Charity of New York win Toyota of Manhattan’s “Vote for your Favorite Charity” contest:

Our goal at Variety New York is to transform the lives of children through the arts.  According to recent studies, the United States confronts a creativity crisis; for the first time in 50 years, American creativity is on the decline leading to a less prepared and successful workforce.  Hiring managers are consistently calling for more innovative and creative workers. The arts have been known to foster these skills and more. Yet, arts programming and funding is on the chopping block locally and nationally.

 At Variety New York, we strongly believe that the arts support creativity and equip children to succeed academically, vocationally, and in life.  Sadly, today, it is estimated that 60% of children DO NOT have access to any form of arts education. That number skyrockets to over 70% when looking at African American and Hispanic populations.

 At the same time, we know the arts are a cornerstone for youth to lead successful and personally fulfilling lives.  Recent research shows when youth are exposed to the arts they:

• Achieve up to a 20% advantage in reading proficiency.
• Score an average of 44 points higher in math and 59 points higher in verbal on standard achievement tests.
• Are three times more likely to be recognized for high attendance
• Are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievements
• More likely to interact with other racial groups and less likely to tolerate racist remarks
• Experience a more level the playing field for when coming from disadvantaged circumstances
• More likely to understand other nations and cultures and international issues.

Variety New York is dedicated to supporting children and youth in some of the city’s most vulnerable communities. Youth participating in grantee programs demonstrate the following results:

• 83% reported an increase in self confidence
• 92% felt part of a supportive community
• 93% reported an improved ability to work as a team
• 96% reported an improvement in their ability to express themselves

What would you do with the $2,500 should Variety the Children’s Charity of New York win Toyota of Manhattan’s “Vote for your Favorite Charity” contest:

The $2,500 would help us directly support our grantees with more grant dollars as well as workshops that can help them be more effective serving some of New York’s most deserving children.

Related articles

• Vote For Your Favorite Charity Update (toyotamanhattan.wordpress.com)
• You Pick the Charity, We’ll Donate $2,500 (toyotamanhattan.wordpress.com)
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• Introducing the ‘Big Apple’ of Our Facebook Eye: Toyota of Manhattan Launches its New Facebook Page (toyotamanhattan.wordpress.com)

Charity Profile: The Humane Society of New York

As previously posted HERE, on our Facebook Fan Page, we have 3 wonderful local charities that are being voted on by our customers, staff, fans & friends. Become our fan at Toyota of Manhattan and pick a charity from our list of three. Humane Society of New York, Variety the Children’s Charity of New York or Nourishing NYC. We will donate $2,500 to the one with the most votes by February 28, 2012! Vote for your Favorite Charity

We thought it would be a good idea if you knew a little more about each organization. With this in mind we decided to do a weekly “Charity Profile” for the next 3 weeks so you can understand what each organization specifically does, why the organization feels they should win the contest and what they would do with the money, should the organization win. Our first organization to be profiled is: The Humane Society of New York

Organization: The Humane Society of New York

Phone: 212.752.4842

Address: 306 East 59^th Street, New York, NY 10022

Website: www.humanesocietyny.org

Facebook: Humane Society of New York

Twitter: @humanesocietyny

Mission:

For over 100 years, the Humane Society of New York has been a presence in New York City, caring for animals in need when illness, injury or homelessness strikes. In 1904 we were founded to protect the city’s horses against abuse. The Society expanded to include an affordable medical clinic and an adoption center. Today our hospital and our Vladimir Horowitz and Wanda Toscanini Horowitz Adoption Center help more than 36,000 dogs and cats annually, and their numbers continue to grow.

At the Society, the quality of each animal’s life is paramount. Long before it was popular to think of animals as individuals – to consider their physical and emotional needs when taking responsibility for their care – we were doing just that. That means every day, every dog gets exercise time in the rooftop run, and the chance to walk outdoors with staff and volunteers. Cats enjoy daily play sessions outside their kennels. This very personal care is fully as important to a pet’s well being as the inoculations, spay/neuter and other veterinary care provided during its stay in the adoption center. “This doesn’t feel like a shelter” remark many visitors to the Society. “It feels like a home.”

Why should The Humane Society of New York win Toyota of Manhattan’s “Vote for your Favorite Charity” contest:

The Humane Society of New York cares for almost 200 animals in our adoption center and we see over 100 outpatients daily in our low cost clinic. We are fully funded by donations and we are extremely proud to say that 95.9% of every dollar donated goes directly to program activities.

What would The Humane Society of New York do with the $2,500 should the organization win Toyota of Manhattan’s “Vote for your Favorite Charity” contest:

This generous donation would help many animals in need receive the medical (often emergency medical) attention and nursing care that they require and cannot find anywhere else.

Related articles

• Vote For Your Favorite Charity Update (toyotamanhattan.wordpress.com)
• You Pick the Charity, We’ll Donate $2,500 (toyotamanhattan.wordpress.com)

You Pick the Charity, We’ll Donate $2,500

Toyota of Manhattan is part of one of the largest family-owned group of automotive dealerships in the United States, who believe firmly in and have never forgotten our roots as a ‘mom and pop’ business. Starting in 1961 with one dealership, the group has now grown over the years to 23 dealerships, Toyota of Manhattan being one of our flagships. With our great success, we would like to give back to the very community that has helped us thrive.

Toyota of Manhattan will be working closely with local charities and foundations. We would love to have your input and participation. We invite you to let us know what causes are important to you, your family, and your friends. Keep in mind, that even if you are not a Toyota of Manhattan customer, we welcome you to contribute. We value your opinions and concerns. If you are committed to, or feel strongly about a certain cause, please contact us. Any funds rose for the foundations and charities by our loyal customers and fans, will be matched in part by Toyota of Manhattan. There will be events and celebrations in the presentation of the contributions that you will be invited to and we would like you to be a part of.

Currently on our Facebook Fan Page, we have 3 wonderful local charities that are being voted on by our customers, staff, fans & friends. Become our fan at Toyota of Manhattan and pick a charity from our list of three. Humane Society of New York, Variety the Children’s Charity of New York or Nourishing NYC. We will donate $2,500 to the one with the most votes by February 28, 2012! Go vote for your favorite cause now!