New Toyota Sienna Mobility Van Presented to Camp Sunshine by Berlin City Toyota after Nationwide Contest

Camp Sunshine only non-profit in Maine to receive vehicle as part of Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good philanthropic program

PORTLAND, Maine (January 22, 2014) – Berlin City Toyota presented a new Toyota Sienna Mobility van to Camp Sunshine on Wednesday as part of the nationwide Toyota 100 Cars for Good philanthropic program.

Camp Sunshine, a national retreat in Casco, Maine for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, will use the new Toyota van to transport families to and from local airports, train and bus stations, and area hospitals. Camp Sunshine is the only non-profit organization in Maine to win a new vehicle in the nationwide contest.

Camp Sunshine received the Toyota Sienna at a special ceremony Wednesday morning in the showroom at the Berlin City Toyota dealership on Riverside Street in Portland. As an added bonus, Berlin City Toyota filled the van with toys, supplies and other ‘wish list’ items needed by Camp Sunshine.

“The Berlin City Toyota team considers it an honor and a privilege to be able to assist Camp Sunshine in carrying out its worthy mission of helping families cope with serious illnesses that affect children,” said Yegor Malinovskii, VP of Operations at Berlin City Auto Group. “Through our longstanding relationship with Camp Sunshine, we recognize the positive impact they have on children and families. It’s gratifying to know that with this new mobility van, even more families will be able to access Camp Sunshine’s services.”

Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good contest showcased five non-profits from across the U.S. each day for 50 days this fall on the Toyota Facebook page and asked visitors to vote online for which organizations they believed were most deserving. Two new vehicles were awarded each day.

"We can’t thank Toyota enough for its generosity in offering this incredible program and for providing Camp Sunshine with the opportunity to take part,” said Matthew M. Hoidal, executive director of Camp Sunshine. “The Toyota Sienna Mobility van is going to make a huge difference at Camp Sunshine by helping us provide our unique services to many more families.”

Taking delivery of the van at Berlin City Toyota – and seeing it filled with needed supplies and other items – made the day even more special, Hoidal added. “Our friends at Berlin City Toyota have been thoughtful and generous supporters of Camp Sunshine for more than 15 years. We truly appreciate their support.”

Berlin City Auto Group holds an open golf tournament each summer to benefit Camp Sunshine. Following the 2013 event, total proceeds in the event’s history surpassed $200,000. The 2014 Berlin City Golf Open is set for June 22 at Sable Oaks Golf Course in South Portland.

Camp Sunshine (www.campsunshine.org) is a one-of-a-kind year-round camp on the shores of Sebago Lake that offers the only program in the nation whose sole mission is to address the impact of cancer, kidney disease, lupus and other life-threatening illnesses on every member of the immediate family.

Camp Sunshine operates and provides week-long respites at no charge. The program includes 24-hour onsite medical and psychosocial support. While attending the various sessions, families are able to rebuild relationships together and meet other families facing similar challenges.

Camp Sunshine relies on donations from individuals, corporations and foundations. For more information about Camp Sunshine, visit www.campsunshine.org or call (207) 655-3800.

About Camp Sunshine
Camp Sunshine is a year-round retreat, which provides respite, support, joy, and hope to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families through various stages of a child’s illness. The program is free of charge to all families, and includes 24-hour on-site medical and psychosocial support. Bereavement groups are also offered for families who have lost a child to an illness. To support Camp Sunshine, call (207) 655-3800 or visit www.campsunshine.org.

About Berlin City Auto Group
Berlin City Auto Group consists of seven dealerships in New England, located in Gorham, N.H., Burlington, Vt. and Portland, Maine. The company sells Toyota Scion Lexus, Nissan, Honda, Chevy, GMC, Buick, Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Kia and Fiat. Berlin City offers a four-day/200 miles no questions asked return policy and the lowest, most competitive price guarantee within four days/200 miles, door-to-door delivery service throughout New England and pre-owned protection on certified pre-owned vehicles within 60 days or the first 2,000 miles. For more information or a list of locations, please visit www.berlincity.com. You can also find Berlin City on Facebook and Twitter.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants. Toyota directly employs over 31,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $23 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design. Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where is does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed nearly $700 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S.

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Photo cutline for group photo:
Berlin City Toyota on Wednesday gave a new Toyota Sienna Mobility van to Camp Sunshine as part of the Toyota 100 Cars for Good nationwide contest. Camp Sunshine, a Casco, Maine-based national retreat for seriously ill children and their entire families, won the vehicle after an online vote. Berlin City Toyota presented the keys Wednesday morning at its Portland dealership. From left, Yegor Malinovskii, Vice President, Berlin City Auto Group; Rory Mahoney, Dealer Sales Manager, Toyota Financial Services; Patricia Shanley, Area Sales Manager, Toyota Financial Services; Eric Johnson, General Manager, Berlin City Toyota/Scion/Lexus of Portland; Kathryn Lee, District Manager, Toyota; Matthew Hoidal, Esq. , Executive Director, Camp Sunshine and a Camp Sunshine family, Amber Wiers, Jason Kennedy, her mother Sue Kennedy and Jacob Wiers, all of Freeport.

Here is more news and information about Camp Sunshine