Skip to main content

Company News Details

Press Center

June 6, 2019 Nashville, Tenn.

Des Moines Plant teammates support a local non-profit that trains service dogs for wounded veterans

Bridgestone Americas Des Moines teammates holding service animals

​For the past two years, employees at the Bridgestone Americas agriculture tire manufacturing plant in Des Moines, Iowa have held an event to raise money for the Puppy Jake Foundation (PJF), a local Des Moines nonprofit that trains service dogs for wounded military veterans. Des Moines has more than 200 military veterans who work at the plant.

Raising $3,000 provides the opportunity to name a puppy. The first year, employees raised $6,000, so they named two puppies. They selected the names through a plant-wide vote and the names 'Harvey' and 'Stone' won. This year, the team raised $7,000 and named the puppies 'Evo' (after the AG EVO tire) and 'Patton' (because the plant was originally built to produce military tires).  

Some employees were surprised that the name "Stone" was given to a female puppy, but most thought it was terrific. "It's a strong name and she's going to perform a strong mission," one employee commented. "She's going to rock that name!"

Raising funds for PJF has resulted in a great partnership with the organization and it has been well-received by employees. The Des Moines team's relationship with Stone is just beginning. She will make regular trips to the plant to visit, and the team looks forward to meeting Harvey, Evo, and Patton within the next year. 

If you're a journalist with questions about this story or other company news, please contact us.

Related Articles