Homeless Program to Benefit from Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team's Membership Efforts

(Los Angeles, CA, January 18, 2008) After two years of signing up “paid fan members” of the Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team, the team was able to donate a portion of the membership proceeds at the end of 2007 to the United Cycling Foundation.

On February 1 st 2008,  the United Cycling Foundation, with the support of the Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team, it's fan members and Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc., will donate money to an organization in Southern California, Chrysalis, who helps the homeless become self sufficient through job opportunities. Not only will the Foundation be donating funds, but riders and staff from the Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team will be taking a tour of Skid Row and the Chrysalis facility to learn how the homeless are given job training.  

”The team and its fans are able to “Change Lives” by donating funds to help the homeless learn skills to help them work and become integrated with society” said United Cycling Foundation's Executive Director, Leslie Tucker.

Donations are still being accepted to help the homeless people are tax deductible for 2008 at: http://www.unitedcyclingfoundation.org/index.html

The United Cycling Foundation chose Chrysalis to help the homeless in areas where the team races. Since many of the team members live in Southern California and Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc has its corporate headquarters in Torrance, CA; “We thought it would be appropriate to help the homeless in these locations. This donation to Chyrsalis is a clear cut example of how athletes, their fans, and great corporate sponsors like Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. can make a positive impact on the communities they live and work in”, said Leslie Tucker.

Some information about Chrysalis:  Chrysalis was founded in 1984 as a food- and clothing-distribution center serving homeless men and women living on Skid Row.  As the agency grew it became clear that longer-term solutions were needed in order to help overcome poverty and homelessness.  To this end, Chrysalis developed an effective and nationally recognized program to help homeless people become job ready and ultimately find and retain employment. Today, Chrysalis's philosophy remains the same — a steady job is the single most important step in a person's transition to long-term self-sufficiency. Chrysalis is the only independent nonprofit organization in Los Angeles County exclusively dedicated to helping economically disadvantaged and homeless individuals become self-sufficient through employment opportunities. They currently help more than 2,200 individuals each year change their lives through jobs.

For rider, staff interviews or for more general information on the Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team, prior to the ATOC, please contact Matt Davio at 541-388-2228 / mattd@toyota-united.com.

About United Cycling Foundation. : Established in 2006 and is the designated charity of the Toyota - United Pro Cycling Team, the United Cycling Foundation was created with the mandate of “changing lives” in America by helping the homeless. To find out more about the United Cycling Foundation please visit www.unitedcyclingfoundation.org

About United Pro Cycling Team, L.L.C.

Based in Newport Beach, California, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Cycling, L.L.C, United Pro Cycling Team is owned and operated by Sean Tucker. Comprised of some of the top cycling talent in the country, it is positioned to be the premier cycling team in America. In addition to its racing team, United Cycling, L.L.C, wholly owns and operates United Bicycles, L.L.C. The team has also designated the United Cycling Foundation, Inc. as its designated charity, committed to raise awareness and funds for American causes including homelessness and the environment .

About Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. : Toyota established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates ten manufacturing plants including one under construction. There are more than 1,400 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in the U.S. which sell more than 2 million vehicles a year. Toyota directly employs over 32,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $13 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.

Additional Toyota-United Sponsors: In 2008, The Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team is exclusively sponsored by, Bicycling Magazine, Bontrager, Giordana Clothing, Fuji Bicycles, Shimano, SockGuy, Specialized Bicycle Components, and United Bicycles, in addition to title sponsor Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.