Toyota Receives NPC Founder's Award for Generosity

The Club presented its Centennial Founder’s Award to Toyota in recognition of the automaker’s support of Press Club programs and events during 2008 – our centennial year.

The award was presented by NPC President Sylvia Smith to Ed Lewis of Toyota’s Washington office at a ceremony Wednesday evening. Toyota is one of three firms to receive such recognition from the Club during its centennial.

Toyota provided financial support for all our major events this year – our Gala Celebration in April, our 5K Run for scholarships and our Fourth Estate Award Dinner that benefits journalism training.

Throughout the year, Toyota gave the Club and the Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library $25,000.

“We know this has been a challenging year for the auto industry, and so we are even more grateful that Toyota has been such a leader in supporting these important initiatives and events for the journalism community,” Smith said.

The Centennial Founder’s Award is the highest honor the Club bestows on corporate sponsors. Earlier this year the award was given to Aviva USA and to Turner Construction Co.