BURLINGTON, Wash. – As part of Toyota’s nationwide “100 Cars for Good” philanthropic program, Foothills Toyota of this Washington community has donated a 2011 Toyota Prius to Summit Assistance Dogs of nearby Anacortes, WA. Along with the new vehicle, Foothill Toyota’s principal Pam Nelson donated $5000 to Summit Assistance Dogs. The new Prius also comes with a 6 year/100,000 mile Toyota Platinum Vehicle Service Agreement from Toyota Financial Services.

Pam Nelson (left), Foothills Toyota dealer principal, shakes paws with Summit Assistance Dogs newest puppy in training after donating a brand new 2011 Toyota Prius to Sue Meinzinger, founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization in Anacortes, WA. Summit Assistance Dogs is one of 100 charities to receive a new car from Toyota as part of Toyota’s nationwide “100 Cars for Good” philanthropic program.

Summit Assistance Dogs of Anacortes was founded in 2000. Their mission is to provide highly skilled mobility, hearing and professional therapy dogs for people living with disabilities. These dogs empower people with disabilities to have greater independence by helping them perform tasks like opening or closing doors or picking up items. Summit dogs also perform vital life-saving functions like retrieving a telephone in an emergency or alerting their owner to the sound of a smoke alarm. Most importantly, Summit Assistance Dogs provide their owners with companionship and unconditional love.

“We drive an average of 200 miles every week in our old van and are looking forward to saving some gas in our new Prius,” said Sue Meinzinger, Founder/Executive Director of Summit Assistance Dogs.

The Toyota 100 Cars for Good program is the first Toyota initiative that engages the public to determine how corporate philanthropic donations will be awarded. Toyota is awarding 100 vehicles to 100 deserving nonprofit organizations based on votes from the public.