Bridgestone Supporting Local Communities with Second Annual Neighborhood Transformation Contest

Nominations now open for Fuel the Cause contest

NASHVILLE, TN -- Feb. 17, 2015: Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (Bridgestone) is once again helping consumers foster positive change in their local communities throughout the United States and Canada with the return of its Fuel the Cause contest. Between now and March 15, 2015, consumers can nominate a community project to receive a $25,000 (USD) donation from Bridgestone. Nominations should identify a community space, object or nonprofit organization that would benefit from a transformation funded by Bridgestone and can include educational, environmental, safety and other community-based initiatives.

"At Bridgestone, we build our products with game-changing performance and innovation," said Erik Seidel, vice president of brand marketing, Bridgestone Americas. "The Fuel the Cause contest gives Bridgestone an opportunity to shine a light on our customers who are changing the game in their local communities and inspiring positive results. We were overwhelmed by the breadth of worthy projects entered in our first Fuel the Cause contest. This year, as part of our ongoing efforts to be an active corporate citizen, we're expanding our prize offerings to help support more projects and programs in 2015."

Waterloo Elementary School in Monroe, Michigan was the grand prize winner of the first Bridgestone Fuel the Cause contest in 2014. The $25,000 donation from Bridgestone enabled the school to build a new playground for students and neighborhood families. Waterloo Elementary is the smallest school in the Monroe Public Schools district and has a poverty rate of approximately 80 percent.

To enter the 2015 Fuel the Cause contest, consumers must submit a 500-word essay describing why their project has untapped potential and explaining how contest prize money would be used to transform it. Participants must attach photos with their entry to illustrate what the funds granted would be used to support. A panel of judges will select the top 12 contest finalists, and the grand prize winner will be determined by public voting on FueltheCause between April 1, 2015 and April 30, 2015. All 12 finalists will receive at least $2,500 in prize money; the contest entry with the most votes will receive a $25,000 grand prize, and first and second runners-up will receive $15,000 and $10,000 respectively.

Bridgestone, the world's largest tire and rubber manufacturer, is committed to a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program that focuses on three main areas: business, environment and people. The Fuel the Cause contest links the company's three CSR categories and is another way Bridgestone is making the communities in which it operates a better place to work, live and play.

To make a nomination or learn more about the Fuel the Cause contest, visit FueltheCause.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter or win. Void where prohibited. Contest open to US and Canadian residents. Sponsored by Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC and Bridgestone Canada Inc. Finalists determined based on judging of Contest entries. Entry Period starts 12:00 AM ET on February 15, 2015 and ends at 11:59 PM ET on March 15, 2015. Voting Period starts 12:00 AM ET on April 1, 2015 and ends at 11:59 PM ET on April 30, 2015. For Official Rules (including judging criteria), visit FueltheCause