THE MAGAZINE FOR JUNE 2021 TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS

BUILT TO MOVE

in this issue:

click on headlines to quickly access JOHN ELWAY’S CROWN TOYOTA DEALER DOINGS | 01

‘Feels Like a Dream’ Community Relations Director Shelley Gagnet discovered that a two-time Paralympic medalist was “practically in our backyard.”

— DAN MILLER

Samantha Bosco (pictured above) Bosco can thank John Elway’s Crown Toyota for that peace of mind. The Ontario, California, dealership is picking up the admits she sometimes goes outside tab for the payments on a two-year lease on the RAV4 as well her home in Upland, California, just as all its maintenance work. That’s allowed Bosco to park her older vehicle that, as she puts it, “is currently on its last legs.” to confirm that a 2021 Toyota RAV4 It’s a connection whose origins date back to 2018, when really is still parked in the driveway. General Manager Paxton Gagnet and Community Relations Director Shelley Gagnet had the chance to attend the “It feels like a dream,” says the two-time Paralympic bronze Paralympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. medalist. “There’s no way I could personally afford a car like “That’s all it took for us to get hooked,” says Shelley Gagnet. that. It’s been a huge godsend to have a reliable source of “Toyota’s partnerships with the Olympics and Paralympics transportation that I can feel safe and secure in.” definitely got our attention, especially with the Games JOHN ELWAY’S CROWN TOYOTA DEALER DOINGS | 02

coming to Los Angeles in 2028. But once we experienced it for “It’s not easy to train and make a living,” Bosco says. ourselves, we thought, ‘What a great cause to get behind.’” “I work for my mom, I help my husband with his business, I’m a Gagnet reached out to Soojie Kuroda, engagement and freelance graphic designer and I work with Angel City Sports, marketing field manager in the Los Angeles Region, which provides sports opportunities for kids, adults and who provided a list of Paralympic athletes based within veterans with physical disabilities or visual impairments. Crown Toyota’s primary marketing area. Bosco’s name was at I also really like to volunteer, especially with One Revolution, the top of that list and, as Gagnet says, “she was practically in Ready Set Gold! and Classroom Champions where I get our backyard.” The more Gagnet learned the more she to go into schools and teach kids about perseverance and to wanted to help. always be strong and work toward the betterment of Bosco was born with a congenital abnormality that left themselves. I like paying it forward like that. But it’s a constant one leg 2.5 inches shorter than the other. At the age of 4, juggling act.” Bosco had leg lengthening surgery to compensate. A follow-up That’s where the support of sponsors like Crown Toyota surgery seven years later didn’t go as planned, leaving her can really make a difference. In addition to the RAV4, the with limited motion in her knee and ankle, nerve damage dealership has also donated half of its annual $10,000 in from the knee down, muscle impairment and a right leg that Toyota dealer matching funds to Team USA to help Bosco and is an inch shorter than the left. other aspiring athletes like her. Still, Bosco’s passion for cycling, kindled at an early age, Gagnet, though, believes the moral support can be just continued to burn just as bright. After two years of competing as important. against able-bodied athletes, a friend suggested in 2013 that “Samantha has gained a lot more new followers from our she try para-cycling. That same year she made the U.S. team employees, I can tell you that,” she says. “When it’s safe, we and competed in the World Cup in Spain. Then, in 2016, she want to organize a meet-and-greet event with her at the rose to prominence at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, dealership for our employees and customers. And hopefully, winning one medal each on the track and on the road. when the competitions resume, we can go and cheer her on. Bosco, like many other Team USA athletes, was on pace to She is such a great gal. We are very proud that she’s part of be in peak condition for the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 our team.” when the pandemic took hold. Suddenly, she had to find a Want to learn how you can help, too? Like John Elway’s way to continue her training for another year in hopes that Crown Toyota, contacting your Region’s Olympic/Paralympic she could compete in 2021. Champion is a great place to start.

A WINNING COMBINATION Samantha Bosco celebrates the delivery of her RAV4 with her husband Andrew (far left) along with Paxton and Shelley Gagnet. David Brown & Jerome Avery Paralympians: Track and Field

BUILT TO MOVE Toyota expands its commitment to Paralympic athletes by providing first-of-its-kind, wide-scale support across the United States.

by KRISTEN ORSBORN TOYOTA TODAY COVER FEATURE | 04

Paralympians are some of the most elite athletes in the world — breaking through mobility barriers and pushing beyond what many think is possible.

But despite facing incredible physical odds, many still FREEDOM TO MOVE battle financial burdens that threaten to put their dreams The Toyota U.S. Paralympic Fund will provide financial stipends and sponsorship opportunities to all athletes named to the U.S. on hold forever. Paralympic Team. “Paralympians demonstrate that anything is In May, Toyota announced a major new program to help. possible when a person is free to move,” says Dedra DeLilli, The company unveiled a new initiative to provide financial Group Manager, Sponsorship, Integration & Auto Shows. stipends through the Toyota U.S. Paralympic Fund, as well as sponsorship opportunities to all athletes named to the U.S. Paralympic Team. “Paralympians demonstrate that no matter the challenge, anything is possible when a person is free to move,” says Dedra DeLilli, group manager, Sponsorship Strategy, Integration, & Auto Shows. “Toyota created this program to support all U.S. Paralympic athletes as they pursue their athletic dreams. This commitment aligns with Toyota’s values and our respect for people. As team members, I hope we feel proud that we are able to make a meaningful impact on the lives of hundreds of athletes as they work to represent our country on the world’s largest stage.” Toyota will be the first-ever sponsor to execute a campaign of this size and scope for all Paralympic athletes. The program will provide a $3,000 donation to all Paralympic Team USA members currently training and in contention for the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 and/or Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. TOYOTA TODAY COVER FEATURE | 05

The company will also invite any U.S. Paralympic Regions, dealers, and business partners — will rally athlete who is named to the U.S. Paralympic Team for the in support. Tokyo or Beijing Games to officially join the Toyota team Anyone can donate to the fund and help support these through sponsorship agreements. They’ll also be eligible athletes by clicking here. for a limited-time vehicle purchase incentive. By expanding As the program rolls out nationwide, there will be its reach, Toyota will provide dealers with the opportunity other opportunities for Toyota Motor North America to identify and partner with local Paralympic athletes team members, business partners and dealers to get involved for their communities to embrace and cheer on as they at every level of the organization. Potentially customers, too. compete. “I’m so honored to be part of an organization that’s fully In fact, DeLilli and her team are working closely with embraced something of this magnitude,” says DeLilli. Regions and dealers to find ways to develop this partnership “It’s something that’s going to leave a lasting legacy for so and integrate the Dealer Match Program to further help many athletes and the Paralympic Movement, too. I want Paralympic athletes. to thank every Toyota team member, dealer and our DeLilli believes the initiative is Toyota’s defining moment business partners for their support. We’re all part of for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movements. She hopes helping dreams come true and that’s not something you that all parts of the organization — team members, can say every day.”

“Paralympians demonstrate that no matter the challenge, anything is possible when a person is free to move.”

POINT OF PRIDE “I’m so proud to be part of an organization that’s fully embraced something of this magnitude,” says DeLilli. “It’s something that’s going to leave a lasting legacy for so many athletes and the Paralympic Movement, too.” 4 QUESTIONS WITH PARALYMPIAN AMY PURDY The Team Toyota Paralympian gets real about the financial challenges Paralympic athletes face, and how Toyota’s new stipend and sponsorship opportunities will help.

by KRISTEN ORSBORN TOYOTA TODAY AMY PURDY Q&A | 07

Most of us see Paralympic athletes TOYOTA TODAY: Amy, as you know, Toyota just made at their brightest and best moments: a commitment to help support Paralympic athletes across the United States. What do you think of the program and standing on a podium, bursting with pride as they hear how it will help the Paralympic Movement? the national anthem, and with a medal draped around their necks. AMY PURDY: It’s incredible. I’ve never seen anything like But that, of course, is only part of the story. this done before. The impact this is going to make for Most Paralympic athletes face tremendous financial Paralympians, but also elevating the moment, is enormous. challenges — not just to reach parity with their Olympic I’ve never seen another brand do this. counterparts — but even just to meet the day-to-day expenses of training and competing. TOYOTA TODAY: Can you talk about the financial challenges Last month, Toyota announced major news to help: most Paralympic athletes face? So many of us watch them nearly $5 million in stipend and sponsorship opportunities compete every four years and probably assume they’re that will directly impact the lives of all eligible U.S. Paralympic well supported. athletes training to compete at the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 or the Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. PURDY: Having a disability is really expensive, even We chatted with Team Toyota’s Amy Purdy, two-time without competing in sports. Sometimes you need help or Paralympian and three-time medalist in snowboard and a guide. If you’re blind or vision-impaired, you may need skiing, for more insight on the financial challenges and how someone to travel with you for support. In many cases, if a Toyota’s new initiative will help. Paralympic athlete needs to go somewhere, they need TOYOTA TODAY AMY PURDY Q&A | 08

to buy two tickets. If they compete in a sport, they often my goals before anyone was watching. This was before I did need two sets of equipment. Oftentimes, insurance won’t “Dancing with the Stars” or anything big in the public eye. cover athletic equipment. Toyota was my partner along the way. And I’ve been honored For me personally, I have two prosthetic legs. Insurance to be a part of Toyota’s growth as they’ve evolved to this may cover a pair of walking legs, but not a pair of running point in supporting the Paralympic Movement. Watching legs. If you want to go to the gym and run on the treadmill, the company expand from not just supporting me, but to you may have to pay for a pair of legs to do that. Running supporting every Paralympian, is really amazing. legs may cost $30,000. That’s not something that insurance covers. TOYOTA TODAY: A lot of brands step up during the Olympic If you want to follow your dreams, how do you overcome and Paralympic Games, but it sounds like Toyota’s support that cost? That equipment gets even more specialized as you has really gone above and beyond for you. progress in your sport. Then there are the competition and travel costs. It adds up very quickly and makes it unattainable PURDY: A lot of times, brands will step up every four years for so many. as you go into the Olympic and Paralympic Games. So, to have this support and funding from Toyota is And oftentimes, those brands are only with you for that year. tremendous. Toyota really recognized a need that many They disappear in between. The in-between times are other brands haven’t. And they stepped forward to meet it. the most important part. That’s where you’re training and working so hard to be the best you can be. For me, TOYOTA TODAY: You’ve reached incredible heights in the Toyota has been there every step of the way and made world of Paralympic sports and beyond. How has Toyota’s my dreams possible. support throughout your career impacted your journey? To learn more about how Toyota is supporting Team USA PURDY: Toyota has been a supporter and sponsor of mine Paralympic athletes with stipends and sponsorship for many, many years. They supported me, my dreams, and opportunities and how you can also help, click here. Steve Serio Paralympian: Wheelchair Basketball

EDITORIAL STAFF

Senior Manager Manager Editor Writers Design SCOTT DEYAGER LISA YAMADA MARJORIE OWENS DAN MILLER, DAN NIED AKINSPARKER AND KRISTEN ORSBORN toyotatoday.com Published for Toyota dealers and dealership personnel by the Corporate Communications Division of Toyota Motor North America. Copyright ©2021 by Toyota Motor North America. Contents may be reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Address magazine inquiries to: Marjorie Owens • tel: 469.292.2973 • email: [email protected] • For customer inquiries, please contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center: tel: 800.331.4331 • For product and company information: web: toyota.com • tel: 800.GO.TOYOTA