Bridgestone Donates Passenger Van to Pasadena Boys and Girls Club

Bridgestone surprised Pasadena area youth on Tuesday by unveiling a new passenger van donated to Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena.

The new van will provide Club kids with safe and reliable transportation to and from their Clubhouses and other enrichment activities.

The donation is part of the Bridgestone Driving Great Futures initiative, which has helped kids and teens connect with Boys & Girls Club resources across the U.S. since 2015.

In attendance to celebrate the van donation were Bridgestone Area Manager Carlos Torres, BGCP leadership and board members, and dozens of Club kids.

“We are so grateful to Bridgestone and are honored to be selected as a recipient for a new passenger van to help our Club youth and families overcome transportation barriers,” said Lisa Cavelier, Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena.

“These vans will not only give kids and teens increased access to outside opportunities that better their future, but will also provide safe and reliable transportation to after-school programming to help them reach their full potential.”

Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena is one of 12 Clubs nationwide to receive a grant from Bridgestone to purchase a new passenger van equipped with Bridgestone Ecopia H/L 422 Plus tires. The new van will help Club kids and families overcome the obstacle of access to transportation to and from the Club, as well as allow for field trips, college tours and other activities.

The donation will allow the Club to be more self-reliant for all transportation services by purchasing new fleet of vans and certifying and training staff members as drivers. Bridgestone will also support Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena by maintaining the new vehicle to ensure that it stays in good working order.

“After-school activities help young people develop crucial life skills and thrive far into the future,” said Marko Ibrahim, president, BSRO. “Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena is a pillar in this community, and we look forward to seeing how expanded transportation can make an even greater difference in the lives of Club youth and families.”

Last year, Bridgestone raised $3.6 million for Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help Club kids and teens gain access to high-impact, out-of-school support amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including bridging technology and transportation gaps. Since 2015, Bridgestone has contributed a total of $15.3 million to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Driving Great Futures is part of the Bridgestone Our Way to Serve corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment to improve the way people move, live, work and play.