Toyota Donates $250,000 to Oklahoma Tornado Relief Efforts

How you can help tornado victims in Oklahoma

Toyota announced last week that it would be giving a $250,000 donation to support relief as well as rebuilding efforts for victims of the Oklahoma tornado. The money will go towards immediate response and mid-to-long term needs for food, small business revitalization and home rebuilding, according to Toyota's press release. Toyota will also be matching its employee's contributions.

If you're interested in also making a donation, here's a list of organizations you can to give to to support to those who were harmed in any way by the devastating tornado (list via NBC News):

Before donating, be sure to visit the Federal Trade Commission website to see their list of guidelines for donations.

1. The Red Cross is accepting online donations here, or you may text the word REDCROSS to the number 90999 to donate via text (this will show up on your wireless bill). The Red Cross also accepts frequent flyer miles donations in order to help fly in volunteers and staff; this can be done with Delta, United Airlines and US Airways who all partner with Red Cross.
2. OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund, click here to donate.
3. Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, call (405) 972-1111 to donate.
4. Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief, click here to visit their website to donate.
5. Salvation Army, who is busy sending mobile kitchens and food to those in need, is accepting donations here on their website, or you can send a text with the word STORM to 80888 to send $10.
6. Central Oklahoma Humane Society needs towels, paper towels, bleach, gloves and crates to assist them with lost and injured animals. Donations can be made here, designated for the "OK Humane Disaster Relief Fund".
7. Feed the Children has five locations open in OK to accept donations, and you can also donate online here or text DISASTER to 80888 to donate $10.
8. United Way of Central Oklahoma, donate online here.
9. Feeding America aims to deliver truckloads of food, water and set up emergency food and supply sites; donate online here.
10. Operation USA is preparing emergency, shelter and cleaning supplies. Donate here or text a text saying AID to 50555 for a $10 donation.
11. Convoy of Hope has a mission of getting food and water to those after a distaster hits (they aided with the Haiti earthquake, among other things). Donate online here.
12. Direct Relief provides medical assistance and personal hygiene items, visit their website to donate.
13. AmeriCares has an Emergency Response team delivering emergency aid and assessing needs of survivors. Donate online here or text LIVE to 25383 to make a $10 donation.
14. Operation Blessing International is working with The Home Depot to send out a construction unit, among other supplies. Donate online here.
15. Samaritan's Purse is a Christian relief organziation that helps clean and repair damaged homes, donate online here or text SP to 80888 to donate $10.
16. Save the Children provides food and medical care to children; they're accepting $10 text donations by texting TWISTER to 20222.
17. United Methodist Committee on Relief works on helping with cleanup and rebuilding, as well as pastoral counseling for those affected by trauma. Donate online here or text the word RESPONSE to 80888 to give $10.
18. LifeChurch.tv, donate by texting RELIEF to 86613 and choosing the amount you'd like to donate, or donate online here.
19. Jewish Federations of North America, is coordinating with the local food bank, Habitat for Humanity and the Red Cross - donate online here.
20. Oklahoma Tornado Relief 2013, donate here.
21. DonorsChoose.org, has created an online fund to raise money for teachers and schools, donate online here.

Entire list of organizations via NBC News, information regarding Toyota's donation via Toyota, image via  Huffington Post

Welcome to the 802 Toyota Parts Department

802 Toyota Parts is new and improved!

If you haven't seen our new Toyota Parts area in our new building, you should definitely come check it out. It's not your average Toyota parts store; we've got all kinds of Toyota gear including t-shirts, koozies, hats (camo print ones, too!) and many other great Toyota accessories for Toyota fans. Of course we also have your Genuine Toyota Parts and Accessories, which we'll be happy to assist you in finding, purchasing or ordering. Our team strives to meet the needs of you and your vehicle; our experienced staff is here to help you find the right part or accessory for your Toyota.

To order parts or to be directed to our website, view our online 802 Toyota Parts page here!

Have questions? Please feel free to take a look at our 802 Toyota Parts FAQs page here.

And lastly, if you'd like to see our current monthly specials, head to our Parts & Service coupons page here!

Meet Tim Wheatley, our Assistant Parts Manager

Introducing Tim Wheatley of 802 Toyota Parts

Tim Wheatley has lived in Vermont for 25 years, and enjoys a good Switchback, hunting and playing sports such as basketball, softball and golf. He sure has some great fun facts about himself; he loves Under Armour, his favorite song is My Dougie by Lil' Will, he and his Dad are missing the same tooth, he's never eaten a hamburger, he loves cats, and he's never broken a bone in his body. Oh, and he thinks Magic Johnson is better than Michael Jordon (to name a few). Tim has a knack for remembering numbers, his favorite place to eat is Domino's Pizza, and the best concert he's ever been to was the Backstreet Boys, "I was 12 thank you!"

Though he currently drives a 2013 Venza, Tim believes that if he were a car he'd be the Toyota 4Runner, "because it's stylish, sporty and has a hint of ruggedness about it." Tim loves working at 802 Toyota because of "the joy of helping people out", so come on in and see him today!

Shawn's Finished Toyota Camry for the Thunder Road SpeedBowl

Plus, how Shawn and his team did at their first Thunder Road SpeedBowl event this year

The photo on the right is of Shawn's team at the track, patiently awaiting their turn to line up for the race. The car show, which took place the day before the race, awarded Shawn's No. 31 Toyota Camry with third place! The next day, they started 5th in the qualifying race and won that, then started 14th in the feature race and finished 10th after 35 laps. Shawn says it wasn't the outcome they were hoping for, but there are more races to come!

"The car was fast and we took it home in one piece - that's always a good day," he said.

Keep wishing Shawn luck and we'll keep updating his results! Want a car as cool as Shawn's? Well, we don't have any with quite the same paint job or racing additions, but we do have quite a few 2013 Toyota Camrys that are looking amazing, even without the extras - check 'em out! And be sure to take a look at Shawn's new pics of his Camry below!