WATERKEEPER ALLIANCE LAUNCHES SPLASH EVENT SERIES WITH TOYOTA AND KEEN

First-of-Kind SPLASH Series Invites Americans to Swim, Paddle and Fish In Their Local Waterways to Celebrate the Importance of Clean Water

New York, New York – September 6, 2011 – Waterkeeper Alliance, the global environmental organization dedicated to clean water, today announced the launch of its SPLASH Event Series, presented nationally by Toyota in partnership with national founding sponsor, KEEN. The SPLASH Series will take place on five waterways around the United States, and each of the SPLASH events will raise funds to support Waterkeeper Alliance and its local Waterkeeper organizations by engaging local citizens and clean-water enthusiasts in water-based activities like swimming, paddling and boating.  The first season of SPLASH events kicks off with the Hackensack River Paddle, scheduled for October 1^st in Hackensack, New Jersey.

“Recreational use of our waterways is one of the most important benefits of our work to patrol and protect the world’s waterways from pollution,” said Marc Yaggi, Executive Director of Waterkeeper Alliance. “We are thankful to Toyota for presenting this national program and helping to ensure everyone’s right to swimmable, drinkable, fishable water, and to KEEN for helping develop this important series.”

Each of the events scheduled for the 2011-2012 SPLASH Series will be designed to suit the interests of the local community in which the event takes place and feature post-event festivities the whole community can enjoy.  A broad range of water-based recreational activities – swimming, paddling, boating, and fishing – will be offered, and supporters are encouraged to participate either as individuals or in a team.  SPLASH events will take place in several communities, including Charleston, SC; Santa Monica, CA; Miami, FL, and others.

“At Toyota, we have a longstanding commitment to improving communities where our customers and employees live and work,” said Pat Pineda, group vice president of philanthropy for Toyota Motor North America.  “The SPLASH Event Series presents a tremendous way for communities to rally together to help protect and restore their local waterways. We couldn’t be more proud of our involvement with Waterkeeper Alliance and this program.”

KEEN Inc, manufacturer of outdoor footwear, socks and bags is also a partner in the SPLASH Series. “We’re thrilled to partner with Waterkeeper Alliance for the first season of the SPLASH Series,” said James Curleigh, CEO and president of KEEN Inc. and Waterkeeper Alliance Trustee.  “Through each of these events, KEEN is able to support Waterkeeper Alliance’s mission while simultaneously enabling people to care for their environment, to get outside and play, and to find creative solutions to community environmental problems.”

On October 1st, the first SPLASH Series event of 2011 will take place in Hackensack, New Jersey.  The Hackensack River Paddle, which will benefit the Hackensack Riverkeeper, will be a one-way, non-competitive four-mile paddle from River Barge Park in Carlstadt, to Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus.  Participants are invited to use their own boat, or rent one from the Hackensack Riverkeeper.  Registration costs $10 for paddlers who supply their own boat, $25 per paddler for participants who rent a kayak, and $20 per paddler for participants who rent a canoe. 

For more information about the Hackensack River Paddle, and all of the SPLASH Series Events, visit http://splashseries.org/.

About Waterkeeper Alliance:

Waterkeeper Alliance is a global environmental organization uniting more than 190 Waterkeeper organizations around the world and focusing citizen advocacy on the issues that affect our waterways, from pollution to climate change. More information can be found at www.waterkeeper.org.

About Toyota:

Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants, including one under construction. Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.

Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than $500 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S. 

For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/community.

About KEEN:

KEEN Inc., manufacturer of hybrid footwear, socks and bags, is an outdoor brand that delivers innovative hybrid products, enabling all outdoor enthusiasts to live an active lifestyle. Founded in 2003, KEEN was first recognized for its Newport sandal, which featured patented toe protection technology.

The company strives to demonstrate integrity and leadership, especially on social and environmental commitments, while promoting an inclusive outdoors community. Through its giving program Hybrid.Care, the company provides support to a variety of social and environmental organizations around the globe.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Goodman Media for Waterkeeper Alliance

John Bianchi: (212) 576-2700, ext. 228 / jbianchi@goodmanmedia.com