AKRON — Goodyear is collaborating with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for a 10th straight year for the unit's annual Marine Toys for Tots toy collection drive, a partnership that offers donors in Ohio and Florida opportunities to view the hangars where the company's iconic blimps are kept.
The toy collection drive runs Dec. 1 to 11 at select Goodyear Auto Service Center locations in Florida and Ohio, and from Dec. 3 to 13 at Goodyear locations in Washington D.C. Metro and Greater Philadelphia. Toy donors will be offered $10 off on a tire alignment for a toy donated in-store.
Donors must follow Goodyear's COVID-19 protocols, including wearing a mask, social distancing guidelines and having toys in the trunk of their vehicles.
The Goodyear Blimp hangar in Akron will be hosting a drive-through donation event Dec. 11 to 13, from 2 to 8 p.m, while in Florida, the hangar drive-through event will take place Dec. 12 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Pompano Beach facility.
The events are free and open to the public, with all attendees required to follow locally mandated guidelines and precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Toys also may be shipped to Goodyear's hangars through Dec. 8 for contactless donation. Donated toys must be new and in the original packaging to be accepted.
"So much has changed this year in our communities, and it's critical that we continue to find ways to support them through safe and unique experiences like this," Laura Duda, Goodyear's senior vice president and chief communications officer, said.
"Through our Toys for Tots support over the past decade, we have expanded on our strong relationship with the U.S. Marine Corps, and we are pleased to continue delivering much-needed donations of toys to the children who need them most, especially right now."
The airship base events collectively have delivered almost 150,000 toys and nearly $500,000 to benefit Toys for Tots, Goodyear said.
Retired Marine Colonel Ted Silvester, vice president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, said Goodyear's "community service goals certainly align with those the Marine Corps has promoted for over 72 years through our Toys for Tots Program.
"With their generous support we will be able to fulfill the Christmas holiday dreams of thousands of less fortunate children who otherwise might be forgotten," he said.
Founded in 1948, the Toys for Tots Foundation is the mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December and distribute these as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
Donation details are available online at goodyearblimp.com, by visiting the Goodyear Blimp Facebook page or by calling 800-344-9859.
