The Fix Is In wins brand new Toyota van in contest

In 2010, when Karla Ortman founded the spay and neutering program, The Fix Is In, she never dreamed it would result in a brand new Toyota van to be used for the project. But her tenacity and hard work paid off, and the organization won the van in a marketing promotion sponsored by Toyota.

Karla heard about the van giveaway from a friend and decided to enter The Fix Is In. The requirements of the contest included making a video of why the vehicle was needed. Karla did this, highlighting the fact that the non-profit provides low-cost spay and neutering operations for dogs and cats across northern Wisconsin. In fact, since its inception, the organization now has a veterinarian, a veterinary technician and a veterinary assistant. Three times a week, they travel to towns such as Wausau, Antigo, Crandon, Conover, Rhinelander, Lac du Flambeau and Fifield. They currently spay and neuter 25 pets at every clinic, including animals in shelters. This is a mobile unit and operations are performed in fire stations, VFW halls, multiple purpose buildings and shelters.

Toyota started the promotion last March. The 100 Cars for Good project began with the company sifting through thousands of applicants. They were narrowed down to 500 and for 100 days Toyota placed five organizations on their website, and then the public could vote for the one they thought most deserving. Karla worked hard to get The Fix Is In into the finalist pool and then used social media like Facebook to encourage friends, family and colleagues to vote for The Fix Is In. This work paid off and the van was delivered to and put on display at Rhinelander Toyota last Thursday, complete with a big red bow and balloons to add to the festive affair.

In addition, Toyota added an extended warranty to the van and updated it to four wheel drive. Press Express provided professionally done lettering to the sides and back. "Toyotas are known for their longevity and reliability, and that's what we need when we are driving from town to town with our program," said Karla. "We are so thankful to Toyota for giving us this van, which will help us continue to do our work that is aimed at reducing the number of homeless and unwanted pets in the area."