CHARLOTTE, N.C. — American Tire Distributors (ATD) just doesn't distribute tires.
North America's largest replacement tire distributor has distributed $1 million to the Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF), a charity that supports service members, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need with programs designed to strengthen communities.
The donation will help fund GSF's newest initiative, the Avalon Network, which addresses the mental wellness needs of service members, veterans and first responders.
ATD raised around $500,000 of the money through its Summer for Heroes Giving Campaign fundraiser, 5K for Heroes and its 31st annual Charity Golf Classic and Inaugural Gala for Heroes. The tire distributor matched the amount to commit $1 million to GSF.
ATD announced the donation on Nov. 12, during its 31st annual Charity Golf Classic and Inaugural Gala for Heroes, held in Charlotte. ATD's donation will support service members "through innovative and empowering treatment methods," ATD said.
ATD CEO Stuart Schuette said his company identified the GSF as its signature community cause in 2019, and it is "proud to support our nation's troops, veterans and first responders with a focus on mental wellness. We're thrilled by the support this campaign received from our partners in the tire industry, and we're grateful for the manufacturers, vendor partners, associates and customers who gave generously to make this donation possible."
The Summer for Heroes Giving Campaign ran from Memorial Day through Patriot Day, marking the the first time ATD partnered with its manufacturing and retail customers to help support the nation's heroes.
"Supporting the Gary Sinise Foundation represents our growth as a company, our own emphasis on mental wellness and our patriotism and commitment to our service members, veterans and first responders," Mr. Schuette added. "American is in our name, and America is in our hearts. We're honored to be able to demonstrate our dedication with the most funds we've raised in ATD's history."
GSF is named after actor Gary Sinise. The foundation said it strives to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, build communities and support the needs of America's heroes. The Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network is a comprehensive traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress network available free- to veterans, service members and first responders nationwide.
"Our nation's heroes have sacrificed so much defending our country and deserve to have the best possible tools at their disposal to address their mental wellness needs," GSF CEO Mike Thirtle said. "But unfortunately, too many of these heroes are losing the battle to post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse every day. It is up to us, as citizens, to support them, and that is exactly our mission with the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network.
"Since the beginning, Gary Sinise has strived to lift the spirits of those who serve our country. With the support of the American people and partners like American Tire Distributors, we will continue to provide care, treatment and the gratitude that they need and deserve," Mr. Thirtle said.
ATD Chief People and Communications Officer Rebecca Sinclair said her company seeks "hope, happiness and wellbeing across the country so this generation and the next has the opportunity and accessibility to thrive and drive into the future. Through partnerships like ours with the Gary Sinise Foundation, we will elevate potential for people inside and outside our organizations, contribute to a shared humanity for the communities where we live and work and ultimately foster the change we are all passionate about for a better tomorrow."
ATD operates more than 130 distribution centers, including 24 distribution centers in Canada, serving approximately 80,000 customers across the U.S. and Canada.