Pep Boys, Tire Discounters support U.S. veteran causes

AKRON — Leading retail tire dealerships Pep Boys and Tire Discounters made sizeable donations this week to non-profits benefiting U.S. military veterans.

Pep Boys made a donation of $100,000 to the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF), while Tire Discounters donated $131,095 raised by fundraising efforts through its stores to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Veterans Day was Nov. 11.

Pep Boys called its donation a "significant new investment" by the century-old company to America's military veterans. The BWF works to ensure the nation's impacted veterans, service members and their families have access to the highest level of support and resources they have earned, for as long as they need it.

Cincinnati, Ohio-based Tire Discounters noted that its donation represented funds raised in two fundraising drives — $109,343.06 raised by customer donations to the effort, more than double the goal of $50,000 — and $21,752 as part of the family-owned dealershp's "It's Our Turn" fundraiser in September.

Tire Discounters has donated $175,000 to the WWP since 2019. Funds raised in support of the WWP provide programs and services for warriors, including access to mental and physical health care, employment assistance, and education services.

Pep Boys said its donation is tied to the company's centennial celebration in 2021 and represents a commitment to the Bob Woodruff Foundation as a long-term strategic partner.

Pep Boys announced its intention to establish the partnership last year with the launch of the Pep Boys Centennial Calendar, of which a portion of the proceeds had been earmarked for the Foundation. Pep Boys CEO Brian Kaner presented a check for $100,000 to the organization's co-founder Bob Woodruff and BWF CEO Anne Marie Dougherty in New York City on Nov. 8.

"We're so grateful for the generosity of the Pep Boys team," BWF CEO Anne Marie Dougherty said. "It's exciting to find a partner who shares our vision and values, and has the national reach to make a positive difference in the lives of veterans from coast to coast.

"Through this donation and our continuing partnership, we'll be able to support veterans as they bring their strengths to the civilian workforce in meaningful new careers."

Pep Boys CEO Brian Kaner noted: "The original Pep Boys were veterans looking to start the next phase of their lives after World War I, and in the process, they founded a company that has lasted a century and continues to give generations of those who served the opportunity to write their own next chapter.

"It's now time for Pep Boys to take our commitment to our nation's heroes even further through dedicated programming and engagement in our local communities, and the Bob Woodruff Foundation is the perfect partner with which to do so."

Tire Discounters, represented by Anna Wood, managing director, and Steve Shaw, general manager of the Georgesville (Ohio) Tire Discounters store — which was the top fund-raiser among Tire Discounters' 150 stores — presented its donation on Nov. 11 to Chad Hiser, U.S. Coast Guard and Marine Corps veteran and WWP representative.

"We can't provide life-saving programs and services to injured veterans and their families without supporters like Tire Discounters and all of their amazing customers," Brea Kratzert Todd, vice president of resource development for the WWP, said. "We're grateful for their support as we collectively honor and empower warriors."

Charles Curlee, vice president of retail sales at Tire Discounters and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, stated: "Wounded Warrior Project is a cause that hits very close to home for Tire Discounters, as demonstrated by our continued support through past donations and employing many reservists, active veterans, and their spouses at our locations.

"But to have our expectations for this fundraiser completely blown away thanks to tremendous customer support makes this particular donation incredibly special. Thank you to everyone who participated and allowed us to continue to support the men and women who have sacrificed to keep us safe."

Tire Discounters said it employs many U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force veterans across its 150 locations, further demonstrating their commitment to veterans.

In addition to its partnership with BWF, Pep Boys is:

• working with RecruitMilitary, the nation's largest military-focused recruiting company, to help veterans identify and pursue career opportunities best suited to their skills and interests;
• is an affiliate of Progressive Insurance's Keys to Progress initiative, which has donated more than 750 vehicles to help veterans and their families move forward in their post-military lives and careers; and
• supports the U.S. Marine Toys for Tots program, which collects new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children during the holiday season.