Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s three airship bases in Ohio, California, and Florida will host Toys for Tots events in December.
The airship blimp crews are teaming up with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for the sixth straight year to collect toys. The events at the airship bases will provide the public with an opportunity to make a donation to Toys for Tots while enjoying an up-close and personal view of the airships.
Dates and locations follow.
- On Dec. 2, 3 and 4, from noon – 9 p.m., Ohio visitors can drive through Goodyear’s Wingfoot Lake blimp hangar and get a behind the scenes look at the recently christened Wingfoot Two airship.
- In Pompano Beach, Fla., Wingfoot One will be on display Dec. 3-4 from noon – 6 p.m.
- In Carson, Calif., the facility will be open for ground tours of Goodyear’s last remaining GZ-20A model blimp Spirit of Innovation Dec. 10-11 from noon – 6 p.m.
All three events are free and open to the public. Donations of brand new toys in the original packaging or cash are encouraged to support the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation, but not required.
“We take great pride in our Goodyear blimp crews teaming up with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to support the Toys for Tots Foundation,” says Paul Fitzhenry, senior vice president, global communications. “Through this program, we open our doors to the community and encourage our blimp fans to share in the spirit of giving that defines and gives meaning to the holiday season.”
Goodyear and the Marines are building on the success of five previous events, which collectively delivered more than 57,000 toys and $75,000 to benefit Toys for Tots.
“The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve are grateful to Goodyear for returning as a national sponsor again this year,” says retired Marine Colonel Ted Silvester, vice president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “We know how successful their drive-through program has been in recent years, and we’re very excited about working together again this year. It should generate many additional toys to help us fulfill the Christmas dreams of less fortunate children who might otherwise be forgotten.”
Goodyear first nicknamed one of its blimps the “Santa Claus Express” in 1927 to spread holiday cheer across the skies of America.
Founded in 1948, it is the mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December and distribute these toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
The Goodyear airship bases are located at 841 Wingfoot Lake Rd., Mogadore, Ohio 44260; 1500 NE 5th Ave., Pompano Beach, Fla. 33060; and 19200 South Main St., Gardena, Calif. 90248. All details are available online at www.goodyearblimp.com, by visiting the Goodyear Blimp Facebook page or by calling (800) 344-9859.
