For Sheila Swanson and Doris Bax, giving time and talent to charitable organizations that are near and dear to their hearts is the payoff, in and of itself. But there’s no denying that Toyota Motor Sales’ (TMS) willingness to acknowledge their efforts through cash grants has made those volunteer commitments even more rewarding.

 

Swanson, a finance and analysis manager in TMS Marketing, and Bax, a procurement administrator at the North American Parts Center in Kentucky, are two of nine associates selected to receive Volunteer of the Year awards in TMS’ “Get in Gear Volunteer!” program. They are joined by:

Since its debut in October 2009, “Get in Gear Volunteer!” has offered cash grants to non-profit organizations supported by TMS associates on a volunteer basis.

For example, Bax first offered to help the Save the Animals Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio, after looking to adopt a cat through the organization in 1999. Over the years, her involvement has grown from cleaning and feeding the animals, to serving on the foundation’s adoption committee and Board of Directors, to administering medication under the supervision of a veterinarian. The foundation provides a sanctuary to some 600 domesticated animals that have been abused, abandoned or injured.

Bax began logging her volunteer hours at the“Get in Gear Volunteer!” website soon after it went live. When she reached the 100-hour mark, TMS rewarded the foundation with a $500 grant. Then Bax applied for a “Volunteer of the Year” award and claimed a $1,000 grant for the non-profit. As such, Save the Animals Foundation benefitted from Bax’s commitment to the cause as well as the generosity of her employer.

“The grants make a huge difference,” says Bax, a 14-year NAPO veteran. “The money goes directly to food, medical expenses, maintaining the building—a little bit of everything. Our operating expenses are high, even with a 100 percent volunteer staff.”

Swanson’s volunteer commitment dates back to 2003. At the time, she served on TMS’ Charitable Contributions Committee that was charged with evaluating applications for grants submitted by community organizations. The committee asked Swanson to learn more about Shane’s Inspiration, an organization that strives to create playgrounds that are accessible to children of all social, physical and emotional abilities.

“I remember meeting one of the co-founders at Griffith Park in the rain,” says Swanson. The two-acre Los Angeles facility was the first of what is now more than 40 playgrounds the organization has developed. “At the time, they were looking for grants to help transport kids to and from the playgrounds. They don’t just build the parks and walk away. They collaborate with local officials and schools to make sure they are used and maintained.”

Swanson helps out with at least one event per month and serves on the organization’s corporate advisory committee. She also takes the lead on organizing a women’s tea in June, one of Shane’s Inspiration’s major fund-raising events.

In addition to grants earned by logging her hours, Swanson also secured a $1,000 grant for Shane’s Inspiration through the Volunteer of the Year awards.

“That money goes a long way,” she says. “It costs about $300 to transport kids to a playground for a play date. And it costs another $100 for the crafts and snacks. It only took me about 10 minutes to fill out and submit the application. But the kids who will get to take advantage of the playground because of that funding will come away with memories that could last a lifetime. It really does make a difference.”