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Chicagoland Organizations Receive More Than $47,000 From The Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund

Bloomingdale, Ill. (Dec. 2, 2008) — Twenty-one Chicago area organizations received a total of more than $47,000 in donations this year from the Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund. Each year, Bloomingdale, Ill.-based BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC (BFRC), generously donates to communities across Chicagoland and the United States through the Trust Fund, the philanthropic arm of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH), BFRC’s parent company.

“Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital truly appreciates the contributions made by the Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund the past several years,” said Rebecca Strong, Director of Development for Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. “The gifts from the Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund help tremendously as Good Shepherd strives for an ever higher level of quality and service to the community.”

For the past 56 years, the Trust Fund has made contributions to non-profit organizations that address education initiatives, child welfare and environmental and conservation issues. More than 430 organizations nationwide have received donations from the Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund since January.

“At BFRC, we are committed to making a difference in the communities we call home,” said Larry Magee, Chairman, CEO and President of BFRC. “In addition to helping deserving non-profits in the Chicago area, our company and teammates are dedicated to contributing time and resources to organizations across the country.”

This year’s local donation recipients are Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Alfred Campanelli YMCA, American Sokol Organization, The Arc of Winnebago, Boone & Ogle Counties, Association House of Chicago, Barrington Career Center, Boys & Girls Club of Elgin, Christopher House, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Family Rescue, Friends of the Forest Preserve, Giving DuPage, International Dyslexia Association, Junior Achievement of Chicago, Lamb’s Fold for Women and Children, Lupus Research Institute, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois, Marklund Charities, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Operation Outreach-USA and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.

About BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC:
BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC (BFRC) is headquartered in Bloomingdale, Ill., and operates the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world — more than 2,000 tire and vehicle service centers across the United States — including Firestone Complete Auto Care™, Tires Plus™, ExpertTire™ and Wheel Works™ store locations. Credit First National Association and Firestone Complete Fleet Care™ operations are also part of BFRC. BFRC is a member of the Bridgestone Americas family of companies.

About Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAH and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAH family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers.

About The Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund:
The Bridgestone Firestone Trust Fund, the philanthropic arm of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH), is a charitable trust established in 1952 by The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, a predecessor to BSAH. It contributes millions annually to 501(c)(3) organizations in support of causes which champion children’s issues, education, and the environment and conservation.