Tires Plus™ And Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations “Kickoff To Rebuild” Tampa Sister companies support community revitalization project
BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. (Jan. 26, 2009) — On January 30, more than 1,000 volunteers, including NFL players and VIPs, will restore a historic neighborhood in West Tampa, Fla., that’s located just two miles from the home of Super Bowl XLIII. The event is run by national nonprofit Rebuilding Together. Its annual “Kickoff to Rebuild” is in its 14th year as one of the key sanctioned charity events of the NFL Super Bowl. This year’s “Kickoff to Rebuild“ is sponsored in part by sister companies Morgan Tire & Auto, LLC, which operates under the name Tires Plus, and Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO). Together they will provide free restorations, renovations and energy efficient modifications to 20 homes within a five block radius.
“Supporting the communities we call home is a top priority for Tires Plus, BATO and the entire Bridgestone Americas family of companies,” said Jeremy Persinger, Vice-President Sales & Marketing for Tires Plus. “Our teammates regularly participate in volunteer opportunities across the country, which focus on improving living conditions and bettering our environment. We look forward to helping those in need during the 2009 ‘Kickoff to Rebuild’ event.”
As part of the sponsorship, Tires Plus is providing more than 30 volunteers to participate in the event. As an added good-will bonus, BATO will be donating 20 sets of tires, one for each homeowner. This is the first year that Tires Plus and BATO will be sponsoring this event.
“Bridgestone Americas’ commitment to make a lasting impact in the community of West Tampa shows the kind of good corporate citizenship that the country needs, especially in times of need,” said Gary A. Officer, President & CEO, Rebuilding Together. “Bridgestone Americas is not only providing the nation a great Half-Time show this year, but, making sure that the low-income homeowners of West Tampa are left with a stronger community in homes that are safe, healthy and livable.”
Rebuilding Together is the nation’s leading nonprofit focused on preserving affordable housing and revitalizing communities in need. Rebuilding Together has more than 200 affiliates nationwide such as Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, which is co-hosting this year’s “Kickoff to Rebuild.”
BATO’s Bridgestone brand tire is the “Official Tire of the NFL” and the “Official Tire Sponsor” of Super Bowl XLIII.
About Tires Plus™:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company's Latin American tire operations, the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses and the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The business unit is focused on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in the Americas. In addition, through its Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions unit, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.
About Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company's Latin American tire operations, the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses and the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The business unit is focused on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in the Americas. In addition, through its Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions unit, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.
About Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC:
Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC (BSRO) 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 BSRO. BSRO is a member of the Bridgestone Americas family of companies.
About Rebuilding Together:
Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing home repair and renovation services free of charge to those in need. Through the support of corporate sponsors, local businesses and the hands-on work of over 200,000 volunteers led by more than 200 affiliates, Rebuilding Together renovates and repairs nearly 10,000 homes and nonprofit facilities annually with a market value of nearly $100 million.
In addition to its core home repair work, Rebuilding Together renovates community centers and conducts home modification and repair programs that focus on elder home safety, energy efficiency, veterans housing, and gulf coast recovery. For more information, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.
Rebuilding Together Media Contact: BCarter@rebuildingtogether.org (202) 518-3500