NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 30, 2023) – This month, Bridgestone Retail Operations ("Bridgestone” or “BSRO”), a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, invited military communities at Fort Campbell, KY; Joint Base Andrews, MD; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA, to special celebrations marking 30 years of partnership with Army & Air Force Exchange Service (the “Exchange”). Bridgestone currently serves the nation’s military and their families at more than 40 tire & automotive service centers located on military bases in collaboration with the Exchange, which provides quality, tax-free merchandise, goods and services that military communities need, regardless of location, risk or challenge.
Each event was complete with food, fun and music for all, as well as special remarks from Bridgestone and Exchange representatives before base leadership and community members in attendance. Bridgestone also surprised BGCA-affiliated CYS Services Youth Centers on each military base with brand-new passenger vans that will give more area kids and teens access to high-impact, out-of-school programming. Additionally, USAG Fort Bliss CYS Services was presented with a $60,000 donation to fund the purchase of a new van. The van donations were made possible through the Bridgestone Driving Great Futures initiative, which has raised over $20 million from BSRO customers and teammates for Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide since 2015.
“Bridgestone Retail Operations is committed to serving those who serve our country each and every day,” said Marko Ibrahim, president, BSRO. “We are thankful for the opportunity to provide our military communities with trusted service and a promise to care, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration.”
In 1993, BSRO established its first Exchange store at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington. The Exchange is the 54th largest retailer in the United States, operating more than 5,000 department stores, convenience stores, restaurants, mall stores and services.
"We are so grateful to Bridgestone for their ongoing commitment to serving young people in military communities," said Lucky Harris, senior director, Military & Outreach Services, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "This support enables more kids and teens to have reliable transportation to the Club, allowing more kids and teens to reach their full potential."
The Bridgestone Driving Great Futures partnership aligns with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment that consists of eight Bridgestone-like values starting with the letter “E” to realize a sustainable society. The Driving Great Futures initiative is an example of the company’s commitment to “Empowerment,” which is defined as contributing to a society that ensures accessibility and dignity for all and “Emotion,” defined as inspiring excitement and spreading joy to the world of mobility.
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