Bridgestone enters Trucking Cares Foundation' Founders Club

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bridgestone Americas Inc. has become the 12th member of the American Trucking Associations' Trucking Cares Foundation Founders Club.

The Trucking Cares Foundation (TCF) is the trucking industry's charitable arm, focusing on several core areas, including humanitarian and disaster relief; eradicating human trafficking; leadership development; strengthening the industry's relationships with law enforcement, the military and veterans' organizations; and safety and research opportunities.

Bridgestone is the first tire company to step up and commit to supporting the TCF Founders Club, which is a special class of donors comprising individuals and corporations that have committed to a $100,000 contribution over a 10-year period.

"Bridgestone has been a great partner and allied member of our industry for many years, so it was only natural that they would also support the work of the Trucking Cares Foundation.," TCF Chairman Phil Byrd, president and CEO of Bulldog Hiway Express, said.

"We are pleased and proud to welcome them to the Founders Club and thank them for their support."

The 12 members of the TCF Founders Club are: ACT-1, the Allied Committee for the Trucking Industry; Bridgestone Americas; Covenant Transport; Cummins Inc.; Tommy and Dean Hodges; J&M Tank Lines Inc.; LaunchIt Public Relations; Greg and Val Owen, in memory of Josh Owen; Scopelitis Law Firm; UPS Inc.; Charles "Shorty" and Ro Whittington; and Yellow Corp.

"The trucking industry has always been among the first to respond in times of need, whether that is delivering food and water to those impacted by natural disasters or keeping the country moving in the face of a global pandemic, truckers led the way," Brian Cunningham, vice president of fleet solutions, Bridgestone Americas, said.

"We are proud to support the industry's ongoing charitable efforts through the Trucking Cares Foundation by becoming a TCF Founders Club member."

Founders Club members will receive special recognition across Trucking Cares Foundation programs for their early and generous commitments to making our mission a reality, the ATA said.

"The commitments of Bridgestone and other Founders Club members allow the foundation to be ready to address needs as they arise," TCF President John Lynch said.

"By building up the foundation's resources, we are prepared to provide immediate relief for crisis situations, as well as contribute to our other ongoing charitable efforts."