Bridgestone Group and Americas Employees Give for Hurricane Relief

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgestone Corporation and Bridgestone Americas Inc. announced today the American Red Cross will receive $1 million to assist with relief efforts following Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. The funding is intended to support relief and recovery efforts across impacted areas including Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida, key states in regions where Bridgestone has thousands of employees, customers and business partners.

"We have been humbled to hear of the tragic deaths associated with these hurricanes and send condolences to those who lost loved ones," said Chris Karbowiak, Chief Administrative Officer for Bridgestone Americas. "We are proud to employ some of our strengths to support the affected communities and help rebuild lives and livelihoods. And more than anything, we are proud that our teammates have given so generously to support their community needs and their affected colleagues."

In addition to the American Red Cross donation, Bridgestone Americas is redirecting a portion of its annual Nashville-area United Way campaign allocation to United Way relief efforts in Texas. Moreover, the Bridgestone Americas internal Employee Assistance Funds, built through annual employee giving, has allocated more than $400,000 to support teammates procure temporary housing and vital necessities such as food, bottled water, and building supplies in their time of need.

To date, hundreds of Bridgestone employees have experienced losses or damages of their homes. More than 200 employees have received support from Bridgestone Americas Employee Assistance Funds. The Bridgestone footprint in the affected areas of Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida includes approximately 6,000 employees employed at more than 500 retail stores, many manufacturing facilities and several distribution centers.

The Bridgestone Group conducts business in over 150 countries throughout the world.  Bridgestone believes in the importance of building relationships of trust with local communities, as well as contributing to the development of and providing support for people in local communities of the countries where it does business.

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 also 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, Inc.:
Nashville, Tennessee-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. BSAM 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, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world's largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.

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

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

SOURCE Bridgestone Americas, Inc.