Introduction
Welcome to the Teammates section of the Bridgestone Americas Environmental report. The purpose of this section is to provide a closer look at some of the activities our teammates participate in to improve the environment and communities in which they live. Each year, thousands of Bridgestone Americas teammates pitch in to help a variety of international, national, regional, and local service organizations. We are proud of their many good deeds and are pleased to share their stories with you.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness, inviting people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Habitat has built more than 175,000 houses around the world, providing more than 750,000 people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. HFHI was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller, along with his wife Linda. Additional information on how to become a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity can be found at the following website:
http://www.habitat.org/getinv/volunteer_programs.aspx?r=r
The Golden Hammer Award is presented each year to the corporate sponsor and volunteer group that has shown exceptional commitment to helping further the mission of the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity. In 2006, the Golden Hammer Award was presented to Bridgestone Americas for its sponsorship and partnership in building four homes for families in need in the Nashville community.
Rebuilding Together (RT) is the nation’s leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities. RT believes that every individual should have a safe and healthy home, and that disabled and aging homeowners should be able to remain in their homes for as long as possible. They believe that homeowners displaced by natural disaster should get back into safe housing with help from the community, and that our nation’s veterans with disabilities deserve safe and accessible homes. RT believes they can preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities by providing free home modifications and repairs, making homes safer, more accessible, and more energy efficient. Additional information on how you can get involved with Rebuilding together can be found at the following website: http://www.rebuildingtogether.org/section/help/
Bridgestone Americas Emergency Response Team
Bridgestone Americas Emergency Response Team, B.E.R.T, helps agencies maximize the reach of first responders by distributing donations, food and water; providing much-needed temporary housing for first responders; and offering emergency vehicle tire repair in times of disaster.
“Agencies such as the Tennessee Emergency Management Association (TEMA) and local Emergency Management Agencies are designed to mobilize as soon as a community is in need. Now, Bridgestone Americas’ B.E.R.T. program will support those first responders when and as requested by TEMA or other appropriate agencies,” said Christine Karbowiak, Vice President of Public Affairs, Bridgestone Americas. “Two of our team members developed the concept of an emergency response team after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. We’re very proud to be the only company to offer this kind of service.”
B.E.R.T. has also already responded and served as a mobile collection station, a service that worked very effectively after tornadoes struck Macon and Sumner Counties in Tennessee. B.E.R.T. will continue to build relationships with organizations such as state emergency agencies and mayors’ offices in the communities where the company has operations. To date, 18 Nashville-based teammates have completed the training necessary to respond to emergencies and more classes are planned to educate additional team members.
When Bridgestone Firestone's Wilson, North Carolina plant introduced its 250-acre Freedom Wildlife Habitat and Refuge to the community, the core of this event was Merit Badge University, a program for local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. The natural habitat area of Refuge provided resources for adult supporters, Bridgestone Firestone teammates, and volunteers to teach the scouts the knowledge and skills they needed to earn their badges. To view a visual summary of the event, please visit the following synopsis provided by the Wildlife Habitat Council:
http://www.wildlifehc.org/ewebeditpro/items/O57F11709.pdf
