INDIANAPOLIS (September 7, 2006) - As one of the major companies operating in the West African country of Liberia, Firestone Natural Rubber Company is committed to improving the way of life for all Liberians and helping to rebuild the war-torn country. Aiding Liberia’s renewal, Firestone recently dedicated room on its cargo ships to deliver Living Water International trucks that are being used by volunteers to restore clean water in the country.

Living Water International is a nonprofit organization that sends volunteer teams abroad to provide residents of developing countries with safe drinking water. Living Water Carolinas, a Living Water International affiliate in Greenville, S.C., plans to send the fourth of its four volunteer teams to Liberia by the end of the year to repair water pumps and drill wells throughout the nation. Firestone Natural Rubber Company recently delivered trucks to Liberia that were ready and waiting to be picked up by the third Living Water team, which arrived in the country earlier this month.

“The cost to ship this kind of equipment—which includes four large trucks—is considerable, so we are grateful that Firestone Natural Rubber partnered with us to donate the space so we could hit the ground running when we arrived in Liberia,” said Bruce Whitmire, vice president of African programs for Living Water International. “Their generosity is allowing us to save money on overhead costs and use it where it is needed most: to help provide clean, usable water to the people of Liberia.”

“Living Water shares the same goal in Liberia that we have had for nearly 80 years—to help the people of Liberia build a better future for their families and their nation,” said Dan Adomitis, president of Firestone Natural Rubber Company. “This is a great example of what can be achieved when corporations and nonprofit organizations work together. We are glad we had the opportunity to deliver the equipment for Living Water’s important work.”

In addition to transporting the Living Water trucks, Firestone Natural Rubber Company launched a new donation cargo program in July to transport other humanitarian materials from charitable organizations to Liberia. As part of Firestone’s new donation cargo program, the company is opening up space on its ships for the remainder of this year for containers that will carry relief goods and other donated cargo to the country.

The cargo space is now available to qualified charitable organizations with the ocean freight expense covered by Firestone. Firestone will accept non-perishable foods, medical supplies, new/used clothing, school books and supplies, and deliver it to Monrovia for the people of Liberia as directed by the donating charity. More information can be found at the company’s Web site, www.FirestoneNaturalRubber.com.