‘Tis the season…of giving! Even in a year that brought confusion, stress and uncertainty it is important to find a way to give back if you can. For the second year in a row, the kids and I had the opportunity to work with a local non-profit for the Toyota Season of Giving program. I am excited to share our experiences and the sweet car we got to check out while doing this fun and rewarding project.
Disclosure: I am a Toyota Partner. All opinions are my own.
Toyota Season Of Giving – 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
When Toyota reached out to me a few weeks ago about this great spin on the Toyota Season of Giving opportunity with The Denver Dream Center I was so excited. To be honest, 2020 has been a struggle. So much so, that my normal donations have not been something I have been able to do. Toyota gave me and the kids the opportunity to go shopping for the “Christmas In The City” event that The Denver Dream Center was putting on for their clients and the community.
Once I heard about this event I told the kids and they were so excited as well. Last year we were able to go to the center and help people go food shopping on the campus after a huge food drive. It is something that Jude talks about a lot. He found that day so rewarding and I knew I had to make sure I continued this tradition of getting the kids involved in a volunteering role again.
Meet The Denver Dream Center
After working in the non-profit world for over 10 years, I understand the importance of events like these. Not only does it help with the resources and items needed for the population you serve but it also helps get the word out about your work and what your non-profit does for the community. Last year when we had the opportunity to serve at The Denver Dream Center, I could tell that this agency was one that was helping and connecting with so many people in the community. The staff and supporters were so kind and invested. An agency I was happy to donate my time too and help with their future events.
What is The Denver Dream Center’s mission –
To reconnect people who have been isolated by poverty, substance abuse, gangs, imprisonment, homelessness, abuse and neglect to God and to a community of support to meet their physical and spiritual needs, and to help them develop a support system that will encourage them to make positive, long-term, God-honoring changes in their lives.
More information about The Denver Dream Center can be found here.
Load Up Those Toys!
For this particular event, the clients and community members would be driving through a HUGE (over 8 blocks) parking lot in downtown Denver to pick up their gifts, food, supplies, etc. the day of the Christmas in the City event. Our goal with Toyota was to take the 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro to the store and pile in toys for kids the same age as Jude and Teagan!
We headed to the store with a budget in mind for each age level and the kids went to town! Not only was a great for them to think outside of what they might want but it was a perfect math lesson about how one toy can totally blow your budget!! The kids both did great and we ended up with a lot of great items to bring to the event prep!
We met the good people of The Denver Dream Center in the giant parking lot and loaded up those items. Jude and Teagan were both so excited to tell some of the the staff what items they got for kids and the staff did so great with them, telling them that what they donated will make another kid so excited and thankful.
Why It Is Important To Give Back
I have talked about raising children to be compassionate before and I believe a simple afternoon like this is a great way to make sure kids of all ages understand the importance of helping others. While COVID made this experience a little different for everyone involved, it was still a great way to help give back to the community and have Jude and Teagan involved in a service event.
Before we headed down to the event drop off location we stopped in the Starbucks Drive-thru. They kids got a special drink and I showed them how easy it is to start a Random Acts of Kindness train in a drive-thru! We paid for the order behind us – the kids got a kick out of that and we hoped that the people behind us continued that kindness train!!
Hello Lunar Rock – 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
When Toyota dropped off the car in my driveway, I noticed two things first – THE COLOR and ITS HUGE!!! I have driven a Toyota 4Runner before but this one was pretty decked out and seemed really tall. We loved it. But I think what I loved the most…the COLOR!! Lunar Rock, my next car will be this color!!
The Toyota 4Runner was the perfect car to get our gifts to The Denver Dream Center and made for an easy delivery. Sure, a pretty new car is fun to drive but what I enjoy the most about driving the Toyota cars is knowing that they support communities with projects like this. I am proud to be a partner with Toyota knowing how they make sure to give back through out the year.
Smooth Ride For The Winter
I really have no bad things to say about the 4Runner. As a person who has been in the older 4Runners, I did notice that this 2021 model is super smooth.
- Exterior color: Lunar Rock / Interior: Black
- Power sliding rear window
- Toyota Safety Sense P: Pre-collision system with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beams
- 15 JBL speakers including subwoofer and amplifier
- USB media port and 3 USB charge ports
- Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control; Hill-Start Assist Control
The 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is a great car for a family that loves to be on the go. With ample space this is a great option for road trips and family travel. And if you love to do a little fun off-roading…this is the car for you!
