HOUSTON, Oct. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Pennzoil® is honored to announce the donation of three retrofitted Toyota vehicles to three deserving veterans as part of the continued relationship between Pennzoil and Paralyzed Veterans of America. The 2013 Toyota Sienna XLE vans were unveiled and presented to the veterans prior to the 500-mile race at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. Each veteran recipient received a vehicle of their choosing, retrofitted to their specific need. 

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131012/NY96639-a ) (Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131012/NY96639-b )

Now in the second year of commitment to Paralyzed Veterans of America's, "Mission: ABLE" campaign, Pennzoil once again retrofitted vehicles for injured veterans so that these honorees can reclaim their freedom and love of driving.  Pennzoil donated $250,000 to Paralyzed Veterans of America in 2013, $150,000 of which went to retrofit vehicles for injured veterans, which allows these heroes to revive their independence and love of cars. The recipients of these retrofitted vehicles were selected through the "Love Your Car" program as coordinated by Paralyzed Veterans of America.

"We are proud to work with Pennzoil as they give our deserving veterans the opportunity to drive again, which is a major step toward re-establishing their way of life," said Bill Lawson, national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America. "By supporting Mission: ABLE through retrofitted vehicle donations, Pennzoil is helping re-instill that sense of freedom for veterans who are physically unable to drive a standard automobile."

The Recipients  "Helping veterans get back on the road and regain their sense of independence is a powerful feeling and was an overall rewarding activation for the brand," said Bree Sandlin, Pennzoil Global Brand Manager. "We couldn't be more pleased to recognize three deserving veterans again this year and get them back in the driver's seat and on their way to reigniting their love of the car."

Harlan "Hank" Ebert, a navy veteran and fishing enthusiast, is currently the only paraplegic professional fishing guide in Minnesota and enjoys giving back to the community. Receiving a retrofitted vehicle for Hank will enable him to continue inspiring others on an even greater scale. "I enjoy helping others become reacquainted with the outdoors after being injured or disabled, whether young or old, newly injured or long term disabled, veteran or civilian," said Ebert.

John Scott, a non-service connected veteran, volunteers at Paralyzed Veterans of America's Great Plains, Iowa chapter events, and enjoys spending time with his family. "I have two athletic daughters who play sports. The new van will help me stay active and get my daughters back and forth to practices," said Scott.

Sergeant and tank commander Terry Carr is a dedicated military veteran who participates in wheelchair sports and has a strong passion for black-and-white photography. Terry said receiving a vehicle would be special for him because, "Supporting my family is very important to me. With this new van I can pursue my dreams of getting into digital photography and produce a book to showcase the beauty of America."

From the overall Pennzoil donation, $150,000 was used toward the specified modifications from each veteran. The retrofitted vehicles received modifications such as hand controls, wheelchair lifts and mounting ramps which were made by the professionals at BraunAbility, the world's largest manufacturer of wheelchair-accessible vans, ramps and wheelchair lifts. With these modifications, running daily errands, taking family vacations, getting to work and just enjoying the open road will be easier for the veterans and their families.

Recipient Selection  To find veterans in need, Paralyzed Veterans of America issued a call for entry to each of the organization's 33 national chapters.  Each chapter was asked to nominate one Paralyzed Veterans of America member in need of the retrofitted ride. From there, six finalists were carefully selected and put on the Paralyzed Veterans of America's website for America to decide. From July 22 - August 2, 2013, thousands of votes were cast and Harlan, John and Terry were chosen as the recipients through the Love Your Car program as coordinated by Paralyzed Veterans of America.

To stay up-to-date on the latest Pennzoil activities and programs supporting Paralyzed Veterans of America, 'Like' the official Pennzoil Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/Pennzoil) and follow the official Pennzoil Twitter page (www.twitter.com/Pennzoil).

About Pennzoil   At Pennzoil®, we're car people.  We love cars and the role they play in our lives. Some of our most cherished memories are made possible by cars. That's why we tirelessly pursue the latest advances in oil technology - to provide car lovers just like us with state-of-the-art motor oils. At Pennzoil, motor oil is our passion, but cars are our way of life. Not just oil. Pennzoil. 

Pennzoil® is the most trusted motor oil brand in America.^* Each Pennzoil motor oil is formulated with special Active Cleansing Agents™ that not only help prevent sludge, but also clean out existing sludge.  The full line of Pennzoil quality products includes Pennzoil Ultra™ motor oil with Hyper Cleansing Technology™, Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic motor oil, Pennzoil® motor oil, Pennzoil Gold™ motor oil, Pennzoil® High Mileage Vehicle® motor oil, and Pennzoil Marine® engine oil. For more information about Pennzoil products, please visit www.pennzoil.com. 

* Based on a survey of licensed drivers conducted by a leading research firm January 2005 – December 2011.

About Paralyzed Veterans of America  Paralyzed Veterans of America has launched Mission: ABLE, a campaign to enlist all Americans – citizens, communities and corporations – to help our paralyzed heroes fully live the lives they deserve and to receive what they need most: care, benefits and jobs. For more than 64 years, Paralyzed Veterans of America and its 34 chapters have been working to create an America where all veterans and people with disabilities, and their families, have everything they need to thrive. We represent thousands of veterans in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. www.mission-able.com www.pva.org

BraunAbility   BraunAbility is the world's leading manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles and wheelchair lifts in the mobility industry. Founded nearly 50 years ago by Ralph Braun, the corporation was built on the age-old adage, "Necessity is the mother of invention." Ralph Braun was a young man who used a wheelchair and had no reliable transportation to and from his place of work. He built his first wheelchair accessible vehicle in 1972, and since then the company has grown into the most well-known and experienced name in the mobility industry, bringing independence to tens of thousands of individuals across the world.

About Shell Lubricants  The term 'Shell Lubricants' collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell plc that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying more than 13% of global lubricants volume^a. The companies manufacture and blend products for use in consumer, heavy industrial and commercial transport applications. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, FormulaShell®, Shell TELLUS®, Shell RIMULA®, Shell ROTELLA® T, Shell SPIRAX® and Jiffy Lube®.

^aBased on information provided by Kline & Company, "Global Lubricants Industry 2010: Market Analysis and Assessment."

SOURCE Pennzoil

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