By Adam Kiefaber: Cincinnati Enquirer            

Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Toyota dealers have donated the Toyota Tundra that was on display at Great American Ball Park this past season to Matthew 25: Ministries.  The truck was delivered to the charity’s headquarters in Blue Ash. 

            The Truck is supposed to be awarded to a lucky fan if a home run hit by a Reds player strikes the truck or sign located between the power stacks in deep center field.  Since no fan won, Toyota dealers decided to donate it.

            “We are so honored to be the recipients of this wonderful gift,” said the Rev. Wendell Mettey, the charity’s founder and president.  “Our involvement with the community and domestic partners continues to grow, and the Tundra will be a tremendous addition to our humanitarian and disaster relief work.”

            No one has hit the truck or sign since the “Hit it Here” promotion began in 2008.  This is the fourth consecutive year that the truck has been donated.  In 2010, Florence Fire and EMS received a Tundra.  The Deefield Township post of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office won in 2011.  The local chapter of the American Red Cross received it in 2012. 

            “For the fourth year in a row we’re giving the Tundra to a deserving group of local heroes,” said George Joseph, president of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Toyota Dealers.  “And this year, we’re awarding the truck to Matthew 25: Ministries, a hometown organization that distributes food, clothing, and humanitarian supplies to the needy and tragedy-stricken throughout the U.S. and around the world.”