Goodyear Blimps Raise Hurricane Relief Efforts

Goodyear is to use its fleet of airships to encourage donations in support of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The only airships with electronic day and night signs, the blimps will use their signs to promote fund-raising efforts from the American public.

Chuck Sinclair, senior vice president of global communications for Goodyear commented: “We talked about the possibility of flying signs over the affected areas, however it was agreed that the best way to offer immediate support is through an awareness campaign to alert the public where donations can be made. We recognise the relief efforts will go on for months, and we pledge our resources in support of these efforts as a way to keep the American public focused on the needs.”

The company will also provide aid relief to the Goodyear associates who were directly impacted by the disaster. In a statement the company said that it is exploring alternative work opportunities for these people, including jobs in other Goodyear facilities. The establishment of emergency service centres in the affected area is also being considered as is outfitting and operating mobile tyre service trucks to fulfil expected on-site demand.

Goodyear is also providing tyres to those who need them in the affected areas, “disaster relief is a massive undertaking and this requires an ample supply of tyres, many of which are already in short supply. Goodyear is prioritising the supply of certain types of tyres for police cruisers, utility trucks, tractors, loaders and other work vehicles with plans to hold them in reserve in local warehouses for the agencies that desperately need them to support their efforts,” concluded Sinclair.