Among the many organizations that Toray Plastics (America, toraytpa.com) supports is TAASC, The Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition. TAASC is a national leader in adaptive sports and connects individuals with disabilities, their families, volunteers, and community organizations through a lifetime of adventure sports.

Dave Ganger, business manager, Torayfan® Division, has been a volunteer at TAASC for a decade and currently serves as president of the board of directors. Chris Fisher, a Torayfan Division account representative, also volunteers at TAASC. In June, Ganger attended the organization's Veteran Water Ski weekend, an event that drew more than 40 disabled veterans and nearly 60 other disabled adults and children and their families for a day of water skiing, kayaking, sailing, and fishing. "It was a great weekend and truly inspiring to see so many amazing, courageous individuals being so physically active and having fun," says Ganger.

"The Toray team has a long history of supporting organizations dedicated to helping people, especially veterans," says Christopher Roy, vice president and general manager of the Torayfan Division. "We have many team members who are veterans or who have family that serve in the military. This cause is very close to our hearts. TAASC does incredible, meaningful work, not only with veterans but also with so many others who have been disabled, helping them rehabilitate and gain independence. We are very fortunate to have a relationship with such a great organization."

Ganger, who has been with TPA for 16 years, describes his experience as a TAASC volunteer. "I've always been a firm believer in giving back to the community. Shortly after I retired from the military, I learned about TAASC from a fellow veteran. He told me about the program and I decided to volunteer. Ten years later, I'm still coming back every week to volunteer. It has been a great teaching tool for our family as well, as all of my children have volunteered at TAASC over the years." Other TAASC events supported by Toray's financial donations and volunteer time are Peddle, Paddle, and Picnic and the Winter Sports Challenge.

Roy notes that Toray's financial support to TAASC also touches many in the surrounding communities who have cognitive and physical disabilities. One recent beneficiary was a young man who was severely injured in a car crash. TAASC, the Granville, OH, Kiwanis Club, and other Kiwanis groups joined forces to provide him with a custom-fitted adaptive bicycle, called an AmTryke. His parents said the new bike has been a key element in their son's continuing rehabilitation as he strives to regain physical and mental abilities.