Goodyear Opens Blimp Bases for Toys for Tots Event

- World-Famous Blimps, U.S. Marines Hold 5th Annual Toys for Tots Event

- Goodyear to Provide Opportunities to Win Blimp Rides

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Nov 17, 2015, 12:47 ET

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will conduct their fifth joint maneuver benefitting the Toys for Tots Foundation at Goodyear's U.S. blimp bases in Ohio, California and Florida. These events will provide the public with an opportunity to make a donation to Toys for Tots while enjoying a close-up view of the airships.

Following is the schedule of events:

For the fifth year, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's blimps will become the Santa Claus Express to benefit the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots Foundation. Here are some scenes from 2014.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Richard Radtke is all smiles during the 2014 Toys for Tots drive at the Goodyear blimp base in Suffield, Ohio. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's three U.S. blimp bases are gearing up for their fifth annual effort to benefit the Toys for Tots Foundation in 2015.

Akron, Ohio: Dec. 11-13, from 12 noon to 9 p.m. Visitors can see the progress of construction on the second of the company's new generation NT airships at Goodyear's Wingfoot Lake hangar.
Pompano Beach, Fla.: Dec. 12-13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring Goodyear's newest airship, "Wingfoot One."
Carson, Calif.: Dec. 5-6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring the "Spirit of Innovation" blimp.

There is no charge and a donation is not required to enjoy the holiday scene and see the blimps. At each location, visitors can enter a draw to a win a blimp ride. Official entry forms for the Goodyear Toys for Tots Blimp Ride Sweepstakes can be obtained at the event or by visiting www.goodyearblimp.com. The completed form can be submitted at the event or via U.S. mail. More details can be found at http://www.goodyearblimp.com/news-and-events/news.html.

"We are pleased to continue our partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps to bring holiday cheer to our communities while supporting the Toys for Tots Program," said Paul Fitzhenry, the company's senior vice president, Global Communications. "We are looking forward to a great turnout once again this year."

Goodyear and the Marines have collaborated on four Toys for Tots events, which collectively raised $75,000 and delivered more than 57,000 toys to needy children.

"The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve are grateful to Goodyear for returning as a national sponsor again this year," said retired Major Bill Grein, vice president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "We know how successful this program has been in recent years, and we're very excited about the blimp ride offer. It should generate many additional toys to help us fulfill the Christmas dreams of less-fortunate children who might otherwise be forgotten."

Goodyear nicknamed one of its first blimps the "Santa Claus Express" in 1927 to spread holiday cheer across the skies of America. The company has a long history of charitable giving as well as community involvement and fundraising for worthy causes including United Way, Support Our Troops and hundreds of local and national charities.

Founded in 1948, the mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December for distribution to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

The Goodyear airship bases are located at 841 Wingfoot Lake Rd., Mogadore, Ohio 44260; 1500 NE Fifth Ave., Pompano Beach, Fla. 33060; and 19200 S. Main St., Gardena, Calif. 90248. All details are available online at www.goodyearblimp.com, by visiting the Goodyear Blimp Facebook page or by calling (800) 344-9859.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs approximately 66,000 people and manufactures its products in 49 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/288300-Toys-For-Tots.mp4
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151117/288283
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20050204/GTLOGO

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company