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Toyota Donates RAV4 to Wounded Warrior at NYIAS Opening Ceremony

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Wounded Warrior Project

Pictured (left to right): Toyota NY Regional Manager Jason Keller, US Army Staff Sergeant Alfredo Delossantos, US Marine Corps Veteran Justin Constantine

Last week, the automotive press flocked to the Big Apple to score exclusives on some of the big reveals at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). Saturday marked the first day that the show was open to the public, and Toyota celebrated by awarding a modified RAV4 Limited to wounded warrior, US Army Staff Sergeant Alfredo Delossantos, during the show’s Opening Ceremony.

Both Toyota and NYIAS teamed up with the Wounded Warrior Project in order to donate the vehicle to Delossantos during the Opening Ceremony. Delossantos was wounded in 2008 while serving in Afghanistan, and required an above-the-knee amputation as a result. He also experienced traumatic brain injury, and still receives treatment for both his injuries. However, rather than letting himself become depressed or withdrawn, Delossantos took up competitive handcycling and races both nationally and internationally.

“We at Toyota are proud to provide this new, specially-modified RAV4 to Staff Sergeant Delossantos,” said Chris Shultz, General Manager of Toyota’s NY Region.  “We are thankful for the service and sacrifice of veterans like him.”

Delossantos received the keys to his new RAV4 from fellow war hero, Justin Constantine, who is a US Marine Corps veteran and serves on the board of directors for the Wounded Warrior Project. Constantine is also a senior advisor for the Toyota Hiring Our Heroes Program, which aims to provide well-paying jobs to those who have served our country.