Bridgestone Retail Operations Celebrates Second Year of "Driving Great Futures" Partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America

BLOOMINGDALE, Ill., Aug. 17, 2016 -- Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO) today kicked off the second year of its "Driving Great Futures" cause-marketing partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) with a nationwide promotion across its company-owned retail network. "Driving Great Futures" supports BGCA's "Great Futures" campaign to elevate the role of out-of-school time in reversing negative trends in the areas of poor academic performance, obesity, drug use and youth-related violence. The program's goal is to help the 11 million kids and teens who leave school each day without a place to go when the final bell rings and the 43 million who don't have access to summer learning programs.

"We've just passed the one-year mark in our partnership with BGCA, and we're excited to kick off this next phase," said Stu Crum, president, BSRO. "At Bridgestone, we're committed to being good neighbors and contributing members of the communities where we do business, and one of the ways we can do this is by supporting kids and teens in those communities."

Starting August 22, $5 Value Books will be available for purchase at all 2,200+ BSRO locations: Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus and Wheel Works. The Value Books include more than $150 in savings and rebates from BSRO stores and other participating companies. In addition, from August 1 – Dec. 31, customers at all BSRO stores will be invited to donate at the register. Two of the company's longtime business partners also will be participating in the nationwide promotion: Interstate Batteries will donate 25 cents to BGCA for each free battery check performed on customer vehicles, up to $250,000, and ITW/QMI Professional Automotive Products will donate 5 cents for every Value Book sold, up to $20,000. One hundred percent of funds raised through the "Driving Great Futures" program will go to support the more than 4,200 Boys & Girls Clubs that serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach.

"We're thrilled to see our 'Driving Great Futures' partnership with BSRO hit its stride," said Jim Clark, president and CEO of BGCA. "The Bridgestone team's dedication to kids and teens in their communities is inspiring. With BSRO's help and support, we'll help more youth nationwide reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens."

As an additional component of the promotion, Bridgestone, the official tire sponsor of the National Football League (NFL), will feature current and retired NFL players in the Value Books and other in-store materials. The participating players each have a connection to BGCA – whether through Club membership during their own childhoods or support and volunteer efforts as an adult. Club kids and teens in select markets will also be invited to visit training camps for the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers, where they will have the opportunity to enjoy private tours, autographs, field passes and more.

"As a former Club kid, I can personally attest to the impact Boys & Girls Clubs of America can have on a young person," said Andre Reed, retired player for the Buffalo Bills, NFL Hall of Fame member and BGCA Alumni Hall of Fame member. "My Club offered me a safe place and a stable environment, and taught me that I could grow up to be whatever I wanted to be. Corporate partners like Bridgestone are critical to helping BGCA continue its important and life-changing work."

To learn more about the "Great Futures" campaign, visit GreatFutures.org. To find out more about BSRO, visit bsro.com.

About Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC:
Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC (BSRO) is headquartered in Bloomingdale, Ill., and operates the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world — more than 2,200 tire and vehicle service centers across the United States — including Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus, Michel Tires Plus and Wheel Works store locations. Credit First National Association and Firestone Complete Fleet Care operations are also part of BSRO. BSRO is a member of the Bridgestone Americas family of companies.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America:
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,200 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at BGCA's Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Bridgestone Americas, Inc.

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