Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bridgestone and Firestone have been committed to showing up for our communities as a trusted neighbor and service provider. As a proud supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of America since 2015, Bridgestone Retail Operations (Bridgestone) was proud to announce its $840,000 donation in April to support COVID-19 relief efforts at Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).
This month, Bridgestone has announced it will donate an additional $760,000 to BGCA’s relief efforts, bringing the total to $1.6 million donated this year to help staff, youth, and families across the country.
The Boys & Girls Clubs COVID-19 Relief Fund
For 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs have been a safe place for kids and teens to gather within communities across the country, including and often most importantly, in times of crisis. BGCA announced the creation of its multi-million dollar COVID-19 relief fund in April 2020, which would help children and families by providing meals, childcare, and much more.
Bridgestone’s April donation, which came from all customer donations collected in Q1 2020 across Bridgestone’s network of 2,200+ tire and automotive service centers, helped ensure BGCA could continue their critical response work at more than 160 suburban, rural, and urban locations.
As BGCA president and CEO Jim Clark explained, “Whether it was helping to provide virtual programming, or distribute meals to youth and their families, the donation from Bridgestone allowed many Clubs to maintain the staff and support they needed during a crucial time for our Club kids.”
The Second Phase of Funding
Early this month, Boys & Girls Clubs of America announced they would be entering phase two of their relief efforts. Bridgestone’s most recent donation of $760,000, which is equal to total customer donations collected in Q2 2020 across the Bridgestone nationwide network, will be used in this second phase of relief. These funds will help Club families across the country with issues like food insecurity, virtual learning support, and essential after-school care.
Bridgestone’s support toward BGCA’s relief efforts during this health pandemic is made possible because of Bridgestone customers’ generosity who “continued to give generously in stores” even during this crisis, according to Bridgestone Retail Operations president Joe Venezia.
Bridgestone is Driving Great Futures
To date, Bridgestone has raised and contributed over $10.5 million to Boys & Girls Clubs of America as part of its Driving Great Futures initiative, which began in 2018. These donations have been used for transportation grants, which provide children with a way to get to and from the Clubs.
However, Bridgestone’s commitment to BGCA extends past monetary donations. Bridgestone employees donate company time to service these Club vehicles and volunteer at Clubs in their local communities.
With more than 2,200 tire and automotive service centers participating in fundraising efforts nationwide, it’s never been easier to help make a difference during this ongoing health crisis. Stay on top of your vehicle maintenance, and help us drive great futures by donating to Boys & Girls Clubs of America after your next contact-free service at your closest Firestone Complete Auto Care.
