AKRON, Ohio, May 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --Continuing its long history of supporting the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, exclusive tire supplier of NASCAR's three major national series, has launched its fifth annual "Goodyear Gives Back" charitable program benefitting the Support Our Troops® organization.
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To kick off the program, Goodyear will once again transform its NASCAR race tires by replacing the "Eagle" sidewall design with "Support Our Troops" messaging on all tires used during Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This effort coincides with the launch of Goodyear's charity auction at www.Goodyear.com/GivesBack, which features autographed NASCAR memorabilia, VIP race experiences and rides on the Goodyear Blimp.
Goodyear will match funds raised through the charity auction up to $50,000. Proceeds benefit Support Our Troops®, a nonprofit nationwide organization that works to bolster the morale and well-being of America's troops and their families. To-date, the Goodyear Gives Back program has provided more than $800,000 in cash and product to help troops and their families.
"Memorial Day is a time to honor those who've made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom," said Gary Melliere, Goodyear's general manager of sponsorships. "We are proud to show our support of military personnel and their families through the 'Goodyear Gives Back' program, and encourage NASCAR fans to join us in this great cause."
Fans can get involved by visiting www.Goodyear.com/GivesBack through July 31, 2014 to bid on unique items and VIP experiences, purchase Support Our Troops merchandise (while supplies last), send notes of thanks to troops, or make direct donations to Support Our Troops®.
"Over the past five years, the Goodyear Gives Back program has provided millions of race fans the opportunity to show their support of the U.S Armed Forces," said Martin C. Boire, executive director of Support Our Troops. "In that time, the work of Goodyear and NASCAR has been invaluable in raising awareness and funds to better the lives of service men and women and their families."
This year's program is part of a strong collaborative effort made by the NASCAR community to show its support of the military, including the "NASCAR: An American Salute" initiative which highlights the sport's ongoing support of the U.S. Armed Forces and veterans.
"The Goodyear Gives Back program continues to be one of the most visible symbols of military support during the Memorial Day race weekend," said NASCAR President Mike Helton. "We hope that Goodyear's efforts, along with our 'NASCAR: An American Salute' initiative, will encourage fans to show their support for the men and women who serve in the U.S. military."
Goodyear, the largest producer of military tires in the U.S., has more than 100 years of history building innovative tires and equipment to support and protect our troops. Goodyear has also been named a Top 100 Military Friendly Employer by G.I. Jobs magazine, and has committed to hire 1,000 military veterans by 2015.
About Goodyear
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs approximately 69,000 people and manufactures its products in 51 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.
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 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.
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/7101154-goodyear-gives-back-charity-auction-to-benefit-support-our-troops
SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
