Bridgestone Awards $25,000 to Tenn. Nonprofit in Fuel the Cause Contest

Bridgestone Americas named Abigail’s Plan, a baseball league for people with disabilities, as the winner of the second annual Fuel the Cause neighborhood transformation contest.

As the winner, the nonprofit group will receive $25,000, which will help Abigail’s Plan build Tennessee’s first Miracle League rubberized field.

“This year’s Fuel the Cause program was another great success with 12 noteworthy groups making it to the final round,” said Erik Seidel, vice president of brand marketing, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. “We are excited to see Abigail’s Plan bring a rubberized field to Tennessee to help bring its team members a far better experience during game play. Congratulations to Abigail’s Plan supporters and players and many thanks to all who voted and participated in the contest.”

Playing on a regular field with a grass and dirt surface is often very difficult for disabled players, as the dirt and debris from the field gets into the brake systems of the wheelchairs and walkers and causes damage to this expensive equipment.

Fuel the Cause is designed to foster game-changing innovation in local communities and identify educational, environmental, safety and other community-based initiatives that would benefit from a transformation funded by Bridgestone. In the 2015 contest, more than 182,000 public votes were cast through the Bridgestone Fuel the Cause online portal.

The following organizations also received prize money from the program:

• First Place: Rescue Team Needs Building, Escanaba, Mich.
• Second Place: Thayer Acres Agriculture Center, Thayer, Kan.
• First Runner Up: The Gift Of Music: Shared for a Lifetime, Garrets, S.D.
• First Runner Up: Olympia Pacesetters 4-h Club’s Helping Hands Community Center and Stanford Sprouts Community Garden, Stanford, Ill.
• First Runner Up: Pantry to Empower, Lyman, S.C.
• Second Runner Up: Schuyler County Council on Aging, Lancaster, Mo.
• Second Runner Up: Cub Manufacturing, Madison, Ind.
• Second Runner Up: Livingston Outdoor Adventures Inc., Moncton, New Brunswick
• Third Runner Up: Eastland Backpack Program, Eastland, Texas
• Third Runner Up: Custom Canine Service Dog Academy, Madison, Wis.
• Third Runner Up: Casa Boricua Program Space Revitalization Project, Meriden, Conn.

Discount Tire & Service Centers has a new sponsorship deal with the Los Angeles Angels for the 2024 season. Discount Tire said this partnership will not only benefit its customers with season-long promotions and giveaways but will also support local non-profits.

"We're thrilled to launch this strategic partnership with the Los Angeles Angels," said Sergio Andonian, president, Discount Tire & Service Centers. "As neighbors, from Anaheim, we are dedicated to serving our local communities and providing quality tire & automotive service at the most competitive prices. Together, we look forward to making a positive and lasting impact in the communities. Add baseball to the mix, and with this winning combination, the possibilities are endless."