AKRON (Sept. 2, 2005) — Goodyear plans to use its blimps to encourage people to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, and the tire maker also is working on accounting for all of its employees and arranging jobs for displaced workers.
The Carson, Calif.-based Spirit of America is next providing television coverage for the San Diego State vs. UCLA football game, and the Akron-based Spirit of Goodyear is covering the Miami of Ohio vs. Ohio State University game. The third airship, based in Pompano Beach, Fla., was damaged in a crash in July.
“We recognize relief efforts will go on for months, and we pledge our resources in support of these efforts as a way to keep the American public focused on the needs,” said Chuck Sinclair, senior vice president of global communications for the tire maker.
Goodyear also said it is exploring alternative work opportunities in other Goodyear facilities for workers affected by the storm and subsequent flooding. The company also is considering establishing emergency service centers in the area with mobile tire service trucks to fulfill on-site demand.
“We still have associates unaccounted for, and we are making every effort to locate them and to ensure support of affected associates and families,” Mr. Sinclair said.
Finally, Goodyear said it is prioritizing the supply of tires for police cruisers, utility trucks, tractors, loaders and other work vehicles. “Disaster relief is a massive undertaking and this requires an ample supply of tires, many of which are already in short supply,” Mr. Sinclair said.