Page 16
June 8, 2016
Simon Nagata, Toyota North America’s executive vice president and chief administrative oficer, visits
Portland and helps launch a partnership with volunteer driver programs helping the elderly and dis-
abled. He is pictured with Elaine Wells, executive director of Ride Connection, which Toyota supported
with a $5,000 donation.
Driving to Make a Difference
Improving accessibility and
bringing transportation solutions to
the elderly and disabled is the goal
of a new partnership with Toyota
to promote and support volunteer
driver programs in 50 states.
As part of the local outreach,
Toyota North America last month
donated $5,000 to the non-proit
Ride Connection to help meet the
ever growing demand for rides
in Multnomah, Clackamas, and
Washington counties.
Ride Connection provides pub-
lic transit services that help pick-
up senior citizens and take them to
doctor’s appointments, shopping
trips and community events. The
service is one of the organizations
afiliated with the National Volun-
teer Transportation Center.
Toyota awarded $400,000 to
the national group as part of its
new partnership, including the
donation of two vehicles, a 2016
Toyota Prius and a 2016 Mobili-
ty Sienna, to help more than 800
volunteer driver programs in 50
states, the District of Columbia
and Puerto Rico.
DMV Prepares for Debit/Credit
Oregon DMV ofices will be-
gin accepting debit and credit card
payments during the next four
months with all 60 ofices to be
ready by the end of September.
Prior to a successful pilot
launch of credit and debit ser-
vices in May, DMV accepted only
cash, checks and money orders at
its ield ofices. Credit and debit
card payments have been accept-
ed for online vehicle registration
renewals since 2004, and DMV
has hosted ATM cash machines at
many of its busiest ofices.
To visit an Oregon DMV ofice
in person, DMV suggests that you
visit OregonDMV.com to make
sure you have everything you need.
You also can check wait times at
many of the busiest ofices.
Madison Tops for Global Learning
Madison High School has been
named a Top Global Learning
School by an international high
school student exchange group.
AFS-USA is honoring the
northeast Portland school for fos-
tering global citizenship through
intercultural learning—both in-
side and outside of the class-
room—from hosting international
Advertise with diversity in
The Portland Observer
Call 503-288-0033
or email ads@portlandobserver.com
students, sending students abroad,
and incorporating intercultural
and experiential learning opportu-
nities in the curriculum.
The ability to speak another
language, to navigate in a differ-
ent cultural context and to marshal
a global perspective are skills that
today’s students need to succeed in
our increasingly independent world.
Over the years, Madison High
School has hosted over 75 stu-
dents from 60 different countries,
and sent over 20 students abroad
to many different countries.
“We’re so thankful and proud
to work in educational partnership
with schools like Madison High
School,” said Jean Goecks, AFS
local team chair.