BLOOMINGTON, Minn., March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) today announced the results of its first quarter grant awards by the Toro Giving Program. Grants of cash and product were awarded to 35 organizations that provide programs designed to enrich the environment, enhance education, provide access to the arts and give access to the game of golf to those with disabilities. The Toro Company contributes a minimum of two percent of its gross domestic pre-tax profits every year to organizations that preserve the outdoor environment, enhance education and support the community.

"The Giving Program is proud to enrich the environment of Toro communities by supporting these worthy organizations with financial and product donations," said Stacy Bogart, Director of the Giving Program.

Toro awarded the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum $20,000 for the upcoming summer exhibit, "Wild about Birds." The company's grant to the partnership of Hope for the City, Community Emergency Assistance Program and Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council will help relieve the need at the food shelves during the summer months by distributing seed to low income families to grow their own produce. Toro also provided support for the second year to Rolling Readers, a project of Toro's business partner, Olson Middle School in Bloomington. The Rolling Readers program brings the Toro van filled with books into the Bloomington community once a week for a summer reading program with middle school youth.

In addition to the financial gifts, several local non-profit organizations benefited from the donation of Toro products to assist them in maintaining their facilities. Volunteers of America, Bar None Residential Treatment facility received over $20,000 in outdoor landscape maintenance equipment and Friendship Ventures will receive a grounds mower.

Non-profit organizations awarded grants include: Farm in the City, Michigan State University, Pioneer Public Television, S.A.F.E. Foundation, Guthrie Theatre, The Children's Theatre, Sister Kenny Foundation, National Amputee Golf Association and Milestone Growth Fund.

About The Toro Company Giving Program:

The Toro Giving Program enhances the health and well-being of all Toro communities through active outreach and involvement. The primary giving focus is to support organizations that preserve the outdoor environment. Contributions are also focused on programs that enhance education, health and welfare, culture, the arts, and civic projects. The Toro Foundation, an independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, facilitates much of Toro's giving through matching gifts, volunteer grants and elective grants. Toro also provides scholarships, employee volunteer opportunities, and product and in- kind donations.

About The Toro Company:

The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC), with $1.6 billion in sales annually, is a leading provider of outdoor maintenance and beautification products for home, recreation, and commercial landscapes around the world. Together with its distributors, Toro provides innovative products, agronomic expertise and exemplary service that helps consumers and professionals maintain their landscapes. Visit the company website at http://www.thetorocompany.com . Distributor information is available at 1-800-803-8676.

SOURCE The Toro Company
03/10/2005
CONTACT: Judson M. Tharin, Community Relations Specialist of Toro Giving
Program, judson.tharin@toro.com
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/103025.html
Web site: http://www.thetorocompany.com
(TTC)