Edwards Center Wins Facebook Contest for Wheelchair-Accessible Van

Beaverton, November 14th.  The staff, Board of Directors, and clients of local non-profit, Edwards Center, Inc. came to Beaverton Toyota  to receive a very special donation: a custom, wheelchair-accessible 2013 Toyota Sienna Mobility. The Aloha-based Edwards Center has been working to support adults with developmental disabilities, such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other conditions, since 1972. However, despite having a sizable vehicle fleet to meet the needs of nearly 300 Oregonians with disabilities and 40 years of service, this is their first new car. (Photo credit, Betty Coulson)

All of this was possible through the generosity of Toyota, Beaverton Toyota, and Toyota Financial Services through the 100 Cars for Good Campaign. Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program solicited 5,000 applications from non-profits around the US, of which 500 were selected. Each day for 100 days, 5 deserving non-profits competed to win the most votes through a Facebook app, with Toyota donating a brand new vehicle to the winning organization. Through the hard work and determination of their staff, Board, client family, vendors, business partners, and the Portland-area community, Edwards Center was able to win their voting day.

In addition to this new vehicle, Toyota Financial Services surprised everyone in attendance by providing an additional 10,000 mile, 6 year maintenance contract. The vehicle was locally retrofitted for wheelchair access by longtime Performance Mobility, of whom Edwards Center has been a customer for many years. Besides the organization’s staff and Board of Directors, the residents of Edwards Center’s Oak Street residence were especially excited to receive the new van. The 5 ladies of Oak Street were featured prominently in the video that accompanied Edwards Center’s voting page on the 100 Cars for Good Facebook app and their story was a major part in the success of Edwards Center’s voting campaign.

From the Edwards Center:

It is our mission to enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities by helping them reach their highest potential through training, education, employment, housing and social opportunities in safe, healthy and stimulating environments.

We believe that every individual has their own unique potential and that they deserve the opportunity to reach it. So we provide the motivation, encouragement and support to help them do just that.

We work tirelessly to erase the lines of perception that separate the “abled” from the disabled, which is what makes us such a driving force in preserving the dignity and independence of the developmentally disabled – not just in Oregon, but in the nation.