Bridgestone, Love's donate millions to United Way

AKRON—Bridgestone Americas Inc. and Love's Travel Stops have made $1 million-plus donations to United Way chapters in Nashville and central Oklahoma, respectively, in line with decades-old relationships the companies have had with the charity.

Nashville-based Bridgestone said it raised $1.94 million in 2021 for United Way of Greater Nashville to support the organization's network of local groups providing essential community services and programs throughout Middle Tennessee. The donation is part of the company's 28-year partnership with United Way.

Amid the ongoing pandemic, Nashville-based Bridgestone employees raised nearly $885,000 this year ($595 per employee) through a virtual campaign, a 53-percent increase versus 2019. The company also raised over $1 million through its annual Bridgestone United Way Charitable Golf Tournament, held this year on Oct. 19 at Hermitage Golf Club in Nashville. The annual tournament has generated more than $3 million in the four years it has been hosted.

"Bridgestone has long sought to improve the lives of those in our hometown by supporting the critical resources that United Way provides," said Paolo Ferrari, president and CEO of Bridgestone Americas.

"All of us at United Way of Greater Nashville are immensely grateful for our ongoing partnership with Bridgestone," said Brian Hassett, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Nashville.

"Without these generous donations, we would not be able to assist our community in the tremendous way that we have, especially with the challenges we've faced over the past year and a half. Bridgestone has continuously proven to be a true leader that cares about the Nashville community and its citizens."

The partnership between Bridgestone and United Way is part of the company's global corporate social responsibility commitment, Our Way to Serve.

In Oklahoma City, Love's Travel Stops announced a donation of nearly $1.04 million to the United Way of Central Oklahoma through its annual employee campaign in 2021. Since 1999, Love's has donated more than $8.5 million to the organization.

"Love's corporate employees really enjoy the annual United Way campaign because they can give back to organizations in the town they live in and that are important to them," Love's President Shane Wharton said.

"The life-changing work the United Way does is vital to the Greater Oklahoma City area, and I'm amazed to see the numerous ways our team members step up to help their fellow citizens each year, especially this year when they donated a record amount."

For this year's campaign, Love's corporate employees raised funds for the campaign through pledges and a series of virtual auctions and raffles. Love's also provided a 50-percent match for employee contributions. Other components contributing to the total included vendor donations and donations earlier this year to the Homeless Alliance and Positive Tomorrows.

"We're so appreciative of Love's Travel Stops and the generosity shown by its corporate leadership and employees," Debby Hampton, president and CEO of United Way of Central Oklahoma, said.

"Year after year, Love's rallies around our community and provides our partner agencies with the funds they need to serve central Oklahomans. The philanthropic leadership of Love's continues to help us build a stronger, healthier and more compassionate community."

In 2020, more than 60,000 residents received shelter, food and/or material goods through the United Way of Central Oklahoma.