Tire dealers mobilize for Meals On Wheels

Firestone Complete Auto Care is launching Together For Life, a student video competition aimed at addressing hunger issues among American senior citizens in coinciding with a Meals On Wheels partnership among the tire maker's retail outlets.

"This contest is an opportunity to offer a unique point of view on this very serious issue," says Victoria Condell, director of public affairs for Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC. "By engaging students, we hope to build awareness of senior hunger and inspire viewers to get involved to help solve this important problem."

Ten finalists will be awarded a set of Bridgestone or Firestone tires, and three winners will get scholarship funds of $15,000, $10,000 and $7,500, respectively.

Contestants have to be enrolled full-time in an accredited secondary, trade or college/university level school, and be legal, permanent U.S. residents ages 16 through 21.

The originally produced videos must be between 60 and 120 seconds in length, and should be intended "to both evoke an indelible message and inspire positive viewer reaction." Entries will be judged based on concept, effectiveness of the message and creativity.

Submissions are being accepted through Nov. 7 at www.togetherforlife.com.

The video competition comes on the heels of a recent partnering between Bridgestone and the Meals On Wheels Association of America. The alliance is focusing on increasing awareness, funding and volunteers for the program.

"Through our more than 2,000 retail locations nationwide, we will be able to help the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who drive each day so no senior goes hungry," says Larry Magee, chairman, CEO and president of the tire maker's retail division.

Meals On Wheels members and volunteers will have the opportunity to receive special offers on tires and services throughout Bridgestone's network, including the Firestone centers, Tires Plus, ExpertTire and Wheel Works.

"Together we can, and we will, drive away senior hunger," says Enid Borden, Meals On Wheels' president and CEO.

According to Borden, "Every day in America, one in nine seniors -- an astonishing 5 million people -- are facing the threat of hunger." It is projected that by 2025, 75 percent more elderly people will be in need of the meal-serving service.

For more information, visit www.firestonecompleteautocare.com and www.mowaa.org.