Toyota Volunteers in Place Program

"We make a living by what we get — we make a life by what we give."
— Winston Churchill

Realizing that building healthy communities involves more than just donating dollars, TMMK began its Volunteers In Place Program (VIP) during the summer of 1994. Initially the program was developed to encourage and recognize team member volunteer work while supporting TMMK's operating principle and firm belief to be a good corporate citizen. Through the years, Toyota's program has become an important volunteer network to respond to needs in the communities where TMMK team members live.

For many of TMMK team members volunteering is a way of life — whether it's volunteering to build a Habitat House, being a Big Brother or Big Sister, or a scout master for Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, many team members at TMMK are actively involved in their communities. For others, the desire to volunteer is there, but help is needed to get them involved. That's where the VIP Program is most helpful for team members.

In addition to volunteering for individual selected charities, team members are given the opportunity to support group volunteer activities and projects sponsored by TMMK. They may walk in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life or the March of Dimes WalkAmerica, answer phones during Kentucky Educational Television's Telefund, or help with the many activities of Kentucky Special Olympics. Group activities are always well received and many team members who have little free time find that this is the most convenient form of volunteerism for them.

Although volunteers don't feel the need to be recognized, or even want to be, TMMK considers recognition of team members' volunteer time and their charities an important aspect of Toyota's VIP Program. Each year, the top five volunteers are selected by an Advisory Committee to receive cash awards for their charities and are invited to a recognition dinner. These top five volunteers have worked 150+ hours during the year and are selected for the diversity in their volunteer time. Four of the top volunteers receive $1,500 each for their selected charities and the Volunteer of Year receives the President's Award and $3000 for their selected charity.

Team members are asked to log their volunteer activities and hours as an added recognition for team members. Each month three team members are randomly selected and a $200 donation is given to those volunteers' charities of choice. TMMK feels this is one way it can support charities that are important to its team members.

Each year, TMMK gives over $50,000 to charities through the VIP Program, and team members give tens of thousands of hours of volunteer time. Through volunteerism, TMMK and its team members work together to make their communities stronger, healthier and a better place to live.

Toyota Volunteer Day

Each year, TMMK provides a day during National Volunteer Week for its team members to volunteer at a selected non-profit agency. This activity is during the normal working day and team members are paid their regular salaries for the day. During the past years, volunteers have worked at Scott County Habitat for Humanity, Center for Women, Children & Families, Anderson County Humane Society, Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, God's Closet, Chrysalis House, Volunteers of America, and many more.

TMMK Announces Top Volunteers

GEORGETOWN, KENTUCKY, (May 5, 2010) — Berea resident Kenny Merritt, a Skilled Team Member in Powertrain Maintenance at Toyota, has taken home Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky’s (TMMK) top volunteer honor. Merritt was recently recognized with the 2009 President’s Award for Volunteer of the Year.

Along with Merritt, four other team members were recognized for their volunteer work. Bethany Giordano - Facilities Control, Dorothy McManigle – Corporate Administration, Mike Miller -  Powertrain and JP Switzer - Powertrain were acknowledged for their volunteerism in the community.

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