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American Tire Distributors Announces National Charity Partner, Tops $1 Million In Corporate Giving During 20th Annual Golf ClassicATD Pledges $170,000 This Year for Boundless Playgrounds and Two Other Nonprofits
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct. 5, 2009)– American Tire Distributors (ATD) today announced a $100,000 corporate partnership with nationally recognized nonprofit Boundless Playgrounds to build an inclusive playground accessible to children with and without disabilities in Huntersville, N.C., where ATD is based.
ATD unveiled plans for the playground and announced an additional $70,000 in charitable gifts to two Charlotte-area human services agencies during its 20th Annual American Tire Distributors Charity Classic, which this year crossed the $1 million threshold in total funds raised for local nonprofit organizations. This year's donations were raised by contributions from vendors participating in the golf tournament and ATD.
The playground, the first of many ATD hopes to build nationally across its service footprint, will include a few features one might consider perfectly appropriate for the nation's largest independent tire distributor – rubber surfacing made from recycled tires and a custom tire swing.
"We can't imagine a better use for worn-out tires, and we're proud to partner with Boundless Playgrounds to provide a safe, positive place where all children can play, interact, and develop physically and socially," said William E. "Bill" Berry, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Tire Distributors Inc. "We look forward to the completion of the first Boundless Playground in the Charlotte region and hope to build similar playgrounds in other communities across the country over the years to come."
All Boundless playgrounds include universally accessible paths and surfaces allowing both children and caregivers with disabilities to navigate play areas freely. In addition, they offer wheelchair accessibility to the highest platforms, swings and bouncers with back support and elevated sand tables and activity panels to enable children with disabilities to play more freely.
"Over 7 million children nationwide have a disability that prohibits them from enjoying the full experience of a traditional community playground," said Fred Leone, CEO of Boundless Playgrounds. "Our playgrounds are designed to put all children in the middle of the fun, where they can play together and learn to appreciate each others' abilities."
In celebration of the golf tournament's 20th anniversary and its $1 million fundraising milestone, ATD made two additional gifts today, donating $35,000 each to Crisis Assistance Ministry and Loaves & Fishes. Crisis Assistance Ministry offers emergency financial assistance to hundreds of Charlotte-area residents each week, nearly all of whom are employed but struggling to meet life's basic needs. Loaves and Fishes provides groceries to the needy.
"The need in our community for the crucial services these agencies offer has never been greater," said Berry." That's why, in addition to our partnership with Boundless Playgrounds, we believed it absolutely essential to support two of the local groups that do so much to help those who currently struggle to make ends meet."