Bridgestone Group Gives $1 Million to American Red Cross Katrina Relief Effort
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 -- In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the Bridgestone Global Group of Companies has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross for the hurricane relief effort. More than 2,200 company-owned retail stores across the United States are also offering their customers a way to lend a helping hand by accepting donations on behalf of the Red Cross.
"The American Red Cross is the way neighbors help neighbors in disasters," said Marsha J. Evans, Red Cross President and CEO. "We are profoundly grateful to the Bridgestone Global Group of Companies for being good neighbors to the countless people displaced by Hurricane Katrina."
Bridgestone Corporation (BSJ) donated $900,000 and Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH), the U.S. subsidiary of BSJ, contributed $100,000. Firestone Polymers Company, an operating unit of BSAH which has a plant in Lake Charles, La., also donated $10,000 along with a corporate match of up to $10,000 for company teammate contributions. In addition, consumers will be able to contribute to relief efforts at any of the more than 2,200 Firestone Complete Auto Care, TiresPlus, ExpertTire and GCR Tire Centers locations, which have been designated Red Cross Official Cash Donation Sites.
"As a global company, we are touched by the physical devastation and human suffering that Hurricane Katrina left in her wake," said Shigeo Watanabe, Bridgestone Chairman, CEO and President. "We have teammates, customers and consumers who have suffered terribly, and we are honored to do our part to help the American Red Cross alleviate some of the suffering."
The American Red Cross is launching the largest mobilization of resources in its history for a single natural disaster. More than 500 Red Cross shelters are housing thousands of residents who fled Katrina's wrath. More than 250 emergency response vehicles (ERVs) and countless other Red Cross resources are on the scene to provide hot meals, snacks, bottled water and distribute other much-needed relief supplies. In coordination with the Southern Baptists, we have served more than 4 million hot meals to storm-weary evacuees since before the storm made landfall.
About The American Red Cross
American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Donations are being accepted at Coinstar machines at select grocery stores across America. To find the nearest Coinstar machine, visit http://www.findcoinstar.com/. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting http://www.redcross.org/
About Bridgestone Corporation
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.
About Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.
Nashville-based Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH) is the U.S. subsidiary of the Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. BSAH and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate and private 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 also produce air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber and industrial fibers and textiles and operate the world's largest chain of automotive tire and service centers.
