Designed to help consumers foster positive change in their local communities throughout the U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas announced the return of its Fuel the Cause contest.
Until March 15, consumers can nominate a community project to receive a $25,000 donation from Bridgestone. Nominations should identify a community space, object or nonprofit organization that would benefit from a transformation funded by Bridgestone and can include educational, environmental, safety and other community-based initiatives.
“The Fuel the Cause contest gives Bridgestone an opportunity to shine a light on our customers who are changing the game in their local communities and inspiring positive results,” said Erik Seidel, vice president of brand marketing, Bridgestone Americas. “We were overwhelmed by the breadth of worthy projects entered in our first Fuel the Cause contest. This year, as part of our ongoing efforts to be an active corporate citizen, we’re expanding our prize offerings to help support more projects and programs in 2015.”
Waterloo Elementary School in Monroe, Mich., was the grand prize winner of the first Bridgestone Fuel the Cause contest in 2014. The $25,000 donation from Bridgestone enabled the school to build a new playground for students and neighborhood families. Waterloo Elementary is the smallest school in the Monroe Public Schools district and has a poverty rate of approximately 80%.
To enter the 2015 Fuel the Cause contest, consumers must submit a 500-word essay describing why their project has untapped potential and explaining how contest prize money would be used to transform it. Participants must attach photos with their entry to illustrate what the funds granted would be used to support. A panel of judges will select the top 12 contest finalists, and the grand prize winner will be determined by public voting on BridgestoneTire.com/FueltheCause between April 1 and April 30. All 12 finalists will receive at least $2,500 in prize money; the contest entry with the most votes will receive a $25,000 grand prize, and first and second runners-up will receive $15,000 and $10,000 respectively.
