As a relentless Michigan snowstorm blanketed the streets and temperatures plunged deep below zero, Toyota Motor North America brought a ray of sunshine and warmth to Detroit’s west side. For the 13th year in a row, the automotive giant’s “Walk in My Boots” community outreach project stepped in to support families in need, this time partnering with The Salvation Army Detroit Temple Corps Community Center.
Over 125 family members received brand new insulated winter boots and socks – a timely lifeline against the harsh reality of cold feet and the dangers of hypothermia. “This winter, the burden on many families has been lightened thanks to our ‘Walk in My Boots’ partner, Toyota Motor North America,” expressed Major Toni Dorrell, Metro Detroit Area Commander for The Salvation Army. “Year after year, Toyota allows thousands of in-need families to navigate the frigid weather with safety and dignity.”
The gratitude was palpable. One parent expressed their relief, “God is always right on time, and I am so grateful to Toyota for giving my family these boots. My kids don’t have to walk to school in the cold without boots anymore.” This small gesture went a long way, not just for individual families, but for the entire community.
For Toyota, “Walk in My Boots” is about more than just boots. “Many people know Toyota as a car company, but we’re so much more than that,” shared Alva Adams Mason, Group Manager at Toyota. “We believe an auto company can also be a vehicle for change. That’s why Toyota is proud to partner with nonprofit organizations in the dozens of communities where we operate.”
Their commitment extends beyond Detroit. The project has also warmed toes in Chicago, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Harrisburg, PA, and Minneapolis, MN. In Detroit alone, over 2,300 pairs of boots and socks have been donated, along with $175,000 to The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division.
Beyond boots and cash, Toyota brought even more cheer to the event. A delicious hot luncheon warmed bellies and spirits, while Adams Mason, referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., aptly quoted, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is … What are you doing for others?” With each step in “Walk in My Boots,” Toyota is answering that call, transforming lives…one step at a time.
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