Blimps Join Marines to Bring Christmas Cheer

Goodyear’s three U.S.-based blimps will be flying high with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to benefit the Toys for Tots Foundation at the company’s airship bases in Ohio, Florida and California this weekend.

As part of last year’s joint effort, some 1,700 cars drove through the blimp hangar in Ohio to drop off 3,762 toys and collect $2,239. The tiremaker and Marine Reserve are looking to improve on those results.

“The Marine Corps Toys for Tots is very excited to be partnering with the Goodyear blimp again this year,” said Marine SSgt Jeffrey Starr, a Toys for Tots coordinator.

“At this time of year it is difficult to think of a better cause than the Toys for Tots program,” said Nancy Jandrokovic, Goodyear’s director of global airship operations. “This was hugely successful in Akron in 2010 and with the addition of our two other bases we know the Marines’ Toys for Tots Foundation will benefit even more in 2011.”

The three Goodyear blimp bases will be open to drive-through traffic only. There is no charge and a donation is not required to drive through and enjoy the scene. Dates and times specific to each location are available at the Goodyear blimps’ website at goodyearblimp.com, or on Facebook at facebook.com/goodyearblimp.

Ascot Supply Corporation, based in Newnan, Georgia, has selected Mark Paquette for the newly created position of vice president. In this position, Ascot Supply said Paquette will oversee the growth of the company's products, corporate profitability, manage marketing and advertising and assume many other responsibilities.

He will work under the direction of current President David Kessler and officially begin his new role on June 3. Paquette joined the tire and automotive industry in the early 1980s at his father's tire shop, and his contributions to Mohawk Rubber Sales were instrumental in the company's growth and eventual sale to Myers Tire Supply in 2021, according to Ascot Supply. Paquette eventually was given a promotion to the role of director of operations at Myers Tire Supply.