Goodyear blimps spread tornado relief message

Goodyear’s three North American blimps are currently assisting the US Department of Homeland Security/FEMA in its efforts to collect donations to aid those devastated by recent tornados in the United States. The airships, Spirit of Goodyear in Ohio, Spirit of Innovation in Florida and Spirit of America in California, are using their electronic signs to display disaster relief messages directing people to donate by text via The Salvation Army or The American Red Cross. A third message provides details of the nvoad.org disaster relief website.

The blimp messages will be shown until June 13 over major sporting and other public events. “Goodyear’s blimps add a wide reach and unique nature to our messages,” said FEMA’s director of Private Sector, Dan Stoneking.  “We greatly appreciate their willingness to provide very valuable assistance at a time of great need.”

The blimp’s light boards use computer and LED technology that make it visible up to one mile away. Daytime messages defeat glaring competition from the Sun by concentrating more LEDs and power to a smaller matrix of 1,036 boards.  After dark, colour and animation are provided by the full complement of 3,780 boards holding a total of 82,656 LEDs.

“It’s a wonder in the night sky, something of unique quality that entertains adult and child alike and we’re happy to lend it over to such a valuable cause as helping our neighbours in need,” said Ed Ogden, Spirit of Goodyear’s public relations manager.  “This is an activity the Goodyear blimps have long been known to do.”

The three blimps travel on average a combined 50,000 miles a year and expect to bring the relief messages to more than half a million people over a wide variety of public appearances before they are done. Goodyear notes that readers in the US can donate $10 via the American Red Cross by texting “Red Cross” to 90999 or $10 via The Salvation Army by texting “GIVE” to 80888. Messaging and data rates may apply.