{"id":17066,"date":"2025-05-30T11:17:13","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T15:17:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hiringourheroes.org\/?p=17066"},"modified":"2025-08-05T11:39:53","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T15:39:53","slug":"hiring-our-heroes-presents-2025-toyota-4runner-to-army-veteran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hiringourheroes.org\/stories\/hiring-our-heroes-presents-2025-toyota-4runner-to-army-veteran\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiring Our Heroes Presents 2025 Toyota 4Runner to Army Veteran"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hiring Our Heroes and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation are proud to announce the newest winner of the Committed to America\u2019s Heroes Sweepstakes<\/a>, U.S. Army veteran and Kentucky native, Greg Riggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each year, the Committed to America\u2019s Heroes Sweepstakes honors members of the military community with a chance to win a brand-new Toyota vehicle. From hundreds of thousands of entries, Greg was randomly selected as this year’s grand prize winner. For his prize, Greg chose a new 2025 Toyota 4Runner. Greg received his new vehicle during a livestreamed ceremony at his local Louisville-area dealership on May 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI chose the 4Runner because I do a lot of camping, hiking, canoeing, and the 4Runner is probably one of the best all-around vehicles for that type of activity,\u201d he explained. An avid outdoorsman, Riggs is thrilled to take his new Toyota 4Runner on numerous adventures in his beautiful state and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This opportunity is possible thanks to a long-standing partnership between Hiring Our Heroes and Toyota North America<\/a>. The 2025 sweepstakes marks the seventh year of this impactful program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fact that Toyota is giving a vehicle away to a veteran says a lot. It’s a great thing that they do,\u201d Riggs expressed gratefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding Support During Tough Times<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Greg’s story highlights how seeking help can lead to unexpected opportunities. Greg learned about the sweepstakes through a Hiring Our Heroes collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was going through a hard time and reached out to the VA to talk to somebody. That is when I started getting the VA newsletter and saw something about the contest. So, if I hadn’t reached out for resources, I would never have entered,\u201d Riggs recounted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Months after entering, Greg received a call from Hiring Our Heroes with exciting news\u2014he had won! He remembers, \u201cI was thrilled. So thrilled. I drive an older truck and was in the market for a new vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Journey from Tanks to a Toyota<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Greg first enlisted in the U.S. Army at the height of Desert Storm, serving as an M1 armor crewman at Fort Irwin in California’s Mojave Desert\u2014a major training area for armored brigade combat teams. As part of OpFor (Opposing Forces), his unit\u2019s mission was to simulate the enemy against U.S. combat forces in large-scale war-fighting exercises. \u201cThe idea of working on tanks interested me a lot. It was exciting,\u201d Riggs recalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While serving, Greg was stationed in California, South Korea, and Texas. After leaving active duty, he returned home to Kentucky and used his G.I. Bill benefits to pursue higher education. Upon obtaining his degree, Greg entered the civilian workforce as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), a career he held for many years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Greg works in manufacturing. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, canoeing, and camping along the river. He is also the proud father of three grown children, including a son who is an active-duty soldier stationed in nearby Fort Knox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Greg credits his time in uniform for shaping him into the confident, courageous, and resilient person he is today. \u201cThe Army made me who I am. I\u2019ve always felt like I can accomplish anything,\u201d Riggs shared, adding, \u201cAnd now I see those qualities in my son.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe Army made me who I am. I\u2019ve always felt like I can accomplish anything.\u201d <\/p>\n– Greg Riggs<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A Community Effort<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Veterans like Greg exemplify the strength and character of our nation\u2019s military community. At Hiring Our Heroes, we\u2019re proud to honor Greg’s service through opportunities like this one, made possible through our longstanding partnership<\/a> with Toyota North America, and collaboration with veteran-focused agencies like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always a great feeling to hand over a new set of keys and hear how a car can change someone\u2019s life,\u201d remarked Eric Eversole, president of Hiring Our Heroes and a U.S. Navy veteran. \u201cGreg,<\/a> your story of how you served, but more importantly, how you transitioned after service and navigated these resources is incredibly impactful and important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarah Banfield, District Manager for Toyota, added: \u201cI come from a military family, and I have a great amount of respect and gratitude for our veterans and the sacrifices that they’ve made for our country and those of us back home. Greg, we are so happy to be a part of your journey with this new 4Runner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n