Washington, D.C. - This week, Take Pride in America in conjunction with Toyota, is kicking off the second leg of a nationwide trip promoting volunteerism on public lands. This tour will take the "Voluntour Across America" all the way from Texas, through the south, and up the coast to Washington, D.C., with volunteer events held all along the way.

For the current Voluntour, Take Pride in America will take the official Voluntour Toyota Highlander on the road, teaming up with local partners as we make our way across the country.

"As we begin our Voluntour through the southern states, we look forward to working closely with partners from all over and establishing new partnerships in each of our stops," said Katie Loovis, Executive Director, Take Pride in America. "Joining hands, one by one, our grassroots volunteers are the heart and soul of the Take Pride in America program, and we"re on the road now with Toyota to fan that flame of service."

"At Toyota, we operate under a company-created global earth charter that promotes environmental responsibility throughout our entire company," said Michael Rouse, Toyota corporate manager of philanthropy and community affairs. "We are also committed to preserving the environment through strong partnerships with organizations like Take Pride in America."

The Voluntour across America will kickoff with a large event in Grapevine (TX) where Take Pride in America will team up with Sabre Holdings/Travelocity for a large family volunteer day. The tour will then continue throughout the south, with at least nine events before its grand finale in Washington, D.C.

Voluntour Schedule

April 17, 2008
Holy Trinity Episcopal School (Houston, Texas)

April 19, 2008
Lake Grapevine (Grapevine, Texas)

April 22, 2008
Scott Middle School (Scott, Louisiana)

April 25, 2008
Jacksonville Beach Elementary School (Jacksonville, Florida)

April 26, 2008
Cumberland Island (St. Mary's, Georgia)

April 28, 2008
Hunting Island (Beaufort, South Carolina)

April 30, 2008
Pea Island (Hatteras Island, North Carolina)

May 3, 2008
C&O Canal (Washington, D.C.)

About Take Pride

Take Pride in America is a national partnership program aimed at increasing volunteer service on America?s public lands. It is the goal of Take Pride in America to empower volunteers from every corner of America to maintain and enhance our natural, cultural, and historical sites. Take Pride in America encourages citizen stewardship through an innovative public awareness campaign and an interactive website that showcases volunteer opportunities at natural and cultural sites. For more information, visit http://www.takepride.gov.

About Toyota

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is themarketing, sales, distribution and customer servicearm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion in the United States,marketing products and services through a network of1,427 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers in 49 states.Established in 1957, TMS and its subsidiaries also are involved in distribution logistics, motorsports, and research and development. For more information about Toyota, visit http://www.toyota.com.

Feel free to contact Thomas_hase@ios.doi.gov for more info on the tour, or to set up an interview.

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