Goodyear Effort To Support American Armed Forces Continues To Build Momentum

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing the momentum of the "Goodyear Gives Back" campaign by sending more essential items to U.S. military men and women overseas, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, exclusive tire supplier of NASCAR's three major national series and NHRA Racing's Top Fuel and Funny Car classes, held a care package event at Michigan International Speedway before the Aug. 18 VFW 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the Aug. 19 Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. Goodyear teamed up with local Michigan VFW members, family and friends of deployed Michigan troops and the U.S. Postal Service to fill care packages for deployed troops. 

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120816/NY59008-a )

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120816/NY59008-b )

"With decades of racing experience, Goodyear understands that it is important to come out fast at the green flag - which the Goodyear Gives Back program did - but we've got to continue to perform to take the checkered flag," said Garth Ely, Goodyear director of brand marketing. "The Support Our Troops message on our NASCAR and NHRA race tires over the 4th of July race weekend was just the start. Through care package events like this one in Michigan, our donation commitment and the continued support for our fund-raising efforts from the entire racing community, we can really help make a positive impact with the troops who provide us safety and peace of mind."

Individual care packages were packed with personalized "thank you" cards and items such as toothpaste, soap, pain relievers, etc. - all donated by Goodyear, NASCAR sponsors and other partners. The local U.S. Postal Service donated the pick-up and shipment of USPS flat rate priority boxes full of 5,000 care packages filled during the event, headed straight to the troops overseas.

"In our fourth year as the title sponsor of the VFW 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, we are proud to join together with a company like Goodyear during its "Goodyear Gives Back" campaign to support our deployed troops overseas," said VFW National Commander Richard DeNoyer. "We have been serving veterans, the military and the community for over 100 years and Goodyear's dedication to the troops is something the VFW applauds and supports."

In addition to the care package event at Michigan, a number of initiatives are part of this year's "Goodyear Gives Back" campaign, including the "Goodyear Gives Back" sales event running at retailers across the country through August 31.  During this event, Goodyear is donating $1 per select Goodyear tire sold, up to $250,000*, to the Support Our Troops® organization.

"Midway through the Goodyear Gives Back campaign, we are on track to hit our $250,000 donation goal," said Ely. "We are thankful for those who have already gotten involved with our program and encourage everyone to continue this support by letting their friends, family and any military members know about this program.  Details can be found at www.Goodyear.com/GivesBack, including a link to our charity auction which includes  great items signed by some of the biggest names in NASCAR."

Over the past two years, contributions generated through the Goodyear effort have amounted to nearly $400,000 in cash and product, and have benefited U.S. service men and women directly and through the highly effective programs operated by Support Our Troops.

"Goodyear hosting another care package event like the one held in Daytona last month, which resulted in 5,000 bags of much needed goods being sent to troops in Afghanistan, is tremendous for us and the troops," said Martin C. Boire, executive director of Support Our Troops. "In addition to the generous monetary donation, Goodyear and its partners have provided so many ways for the fans to show their support for our service men and women through this year's campaign, and the troops really appreciate the continued support and goodwill wishes from home."

Consumers and race fans can personally get involved in this year's "Goodyear Gives Back" campaign by visiting www.Goodyear.com/GivesBack and bidding on authentic, race-used Goodyear NASCAR and NHRA tires autographed by drivers who used them in these races, as well as other unique items including authentic motorsports experiences and memorabilia that are up for auction with all proceeds going directly to Support Our Troops.

New racing memorabilia was added on August 13th will be available for bidding through September 3rd. Consumers can also send a message to the troops or make direct donations to Support Our Troops through the Goodyear website and purchase Goodyear Gives Back merchandise through the auction link (while supplies last).

Goodyear, the largest producer of military tires in the U.S., has a longstanding history with the U.S. Armed Forces, with more than 100 years of commitment to building innovative and reliable tires and equipment to support and protect our troops. Goodyear's commitment extends beyond products and charitable donations; priding itself on hosting events at U.S. military bases throughout the year, bringing service men and women and their families a chance to interact with drivers and take rides on the Goodyear Blimp.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for one of North America's premier sports.  NASCAR is the No. 1 spectator sport – with more of the top 20 highest attended sporting events in the U.S. than any other sport, and is the No. 2-rated regular-season sport on television.  NASCAR races are broadcast in more than 150 countries and in 20 languages.  NASCAR fans are the most brand loyal in all of sports, and as a result more Fortune 500 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport.

NASCAR consists of three major national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, and one local grassroots series, as well as two international series.  Also part of NASCAR is Grand-Am Road Racing, known for its competition on road courses with multiple classes of cars.  NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races at 100 tracks in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico.  Based in Daytona Beach (FL), NASCAR has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Charlotte (NC), Concord (NC), Conover (NC), Bentonville (AR), Mexico City, and Toronto.

About Support Our Troops

SupportOurTroops.Org provides simple constructive ways for citizens and community minded businesses to show their patriotism and appreciation for those who sacrifice so much to protect our country, our homes, our families, and our American way of life.

Support Our Troops is a registered trademark licensed through SupportOurTroops.org. The official SupportOurTroops.Org website is a nationwide platform for individuals, organizations, businesses and non-profits to bolster America's troops and their families in a multitude of ways. It is a moral covenant with those who serve to protect us and our families. SupportOurTroops.Org is a resource that was not available to previous generations of troops, which now stands as a permanent living testament to the affection, gratitude and loyalty good Americans hold for those who do so much for all of us every day.

About the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW)

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans' service organization composed of combat veterans and those currently serving in uniform.  Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and its oldest major veterans' organization.  With more than 2 million members located in more than 7,400 VFW Posts worldwide, "No one does more for veterans." VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to veterans' service, community service, legislative advocacy and military service programs nationwide.  For more information or to join, visit the website at www.vfw.org.

About Goodyear

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies.  It employs approximately 73,000 people and manufactures its products in 54 facilities in 22 countries around the world.  Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry.  For more information about Goodyear or its products, go to www.goodyear.com.

*For every select Goodyear tire sold at participating U.S. Retailers between July 1 and August 31, 2012 and reported through Point of Sale data to Goodyear, Goodyear will donate $1, up to a maximum of $250,000 to Support Our Troops®.  Support Our Troops® is a 501(c)(3) organization located at P.O. Box 70, Daytona Beach, FL 32115, phone (386) 767-8882, that provides assistance to active duty troops and their families.  Support Our Troops® is a registered trademark licensed through SupportOurTroops.org.  See Participating Retailer for complete details.

SOURCE Goodyear