Toyota Puts Platinum on NBA All-Star Weekend as the Official Vehicle Sponsor of 'Zo & Magic's 8-Ball Challenge'

Toyota Puts Platinum on NBA All-Star Weekend as the Official Vehicle Sponsor of 'Zo & Magic's 8-Ball Challenge'

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota left a Platinum mark at NBA All-Star Weekend as the Official Vehicle Sponsor of "Zo & Magic's 8-Ball Challenge." The 4th annual 8-Ball Challenge is a competitive celebrity pool tournament that has raised over $750,000 to support youth and community causes. Making a statement at the party was the brand new 2008 Toyota Sequoia Platinum Grade as the official vehicle of the 8-Ball Challenge and the choice ride for Alonzo Mourning and host Ludacris.

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http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080217/AQSU006-a)
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http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080217/AQSU006-b)
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http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080217/AQSU006-c)
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http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080217/AQSU006-d)

Toyota also brought the heat at the event with the 2008 tournament champions, Toyota Team 1 with Alonzo Mourning and artist Alonzo Adams. Toyota also brought in Jeanette Lee, better known as The Black Widow, who hosted the Toyota Trick Shot Table.

In addition, Toyota partnered with Alonzo Mourning and Magic Johnson to provide support and encouragement to a local New Orleans school that was impacted by Hurricane Katrina, West Jefferson High School. Proceeds from 8-Ball Challenge will help to fund several of the rebuilding initiatives taking place at the school. Toyota donated $10,000 to help West Jefferson High's music department to move forward with essential instruments and supplies for budding musicians.

"Partnering with community leaders like Alonzo (Mourning) and Magic (Johnson) gave us great direction as to how to best lend a helping hand," said Keith Dahl, national marketing manager for Toyota. "Since they both leverage their celebrity status to assist others, we were able to step in and be a true vehicle of change for this community."

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Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080217/AQSU006-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080217/AQSU006-b
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http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080217/AQSU006-d
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Source: Toyota

CONTACT: D. Iman Johnson of Burrell Communications, +1-312-297-9893,
cell, +1-312-286-4673, djohnson@burell.com, for Toyota; or Chad Harp of Toyota
Division Communications, +1-310-468-1704, cell, +1-951-830-6909,
Chad_Harp@toyota.com

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