Bridgestone Invitiational, N. Ohio Golf Charities donate $1 million

More than 40 local charities throughout the Northeast Ohio area benefited from more than $1 million from the 2007 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, as representatives from Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., the PGA TOUR and Northern Ohio Golf Charities gathered today to celebrate the donations at the annual Bridgestone Invitational Northern Ohio Golf Charities Breakfast.

Grant recipients included The First Tee of Canton, Gennesaret, Meridia Health Systems, USO of Northern Ohio, Akron Civic Theatre, Akron Children's Hospital, Haven of Rest Ministries, Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop and Keep Akron Beautiful, among others.

"Every year, the best players in the world come to Northeast Ohio for the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, and the entire community rallies behind the tournament," said David Hicks, president, Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation, Inc. "But when the players leave town, the benefits of hosting such a world-class event remain. Today's breakfast is how we celebrate the dollars raised through the Bridgestone Invitational and the impact those dollars make on the community."

"As you know our company has a culture of giving back to its communities and we view our partnership with the Northern Ohio Golf Charities as an extension of this philosophy put in to practice. The charitable component of Bridgestone Invitational is very import to us and we look forward to continuing to support local organizations that make Akron a wonderful place to live, work and play," said Mark A. Emkes, chairman and CEO of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH) and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT).

Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation is a volunteer organization that has partnered with professional golf tournaments at Firestone Country Club for more than 50 years. Tournaments have provided more than $18 million to local charities seeking to improve the quality of life in Northeast Ohio.

"Attending the Bridgestone Invitational not only means witnessing a world class sporting event in person, but it also lends a helping hand to Northeast Ohio," said Don Padgett III, executive director, Bridgestone Invitational. "The charitable funds announced today come directly from event ticket and hospitality sales. Greater support from the regional community translates into more funds for worthy causes in Northeast Ohio."

During the breakfast, representatives from several local charities shared with the audience how they will utilize the Bridgestone Invitational and Northern Ohio Golf Charities grants.

Mr. William Considine, president and CEO of Akron Children's Hospital comments on Northern Ohio Golf Charities, "Foundation grant funding support over the years to our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the Department of Neurosurgery, the Outpatient Infusion Center, and the Rehabilitation Center has helped us to provide the highest level of medical care to infants, children and teens throughout Northeast Ohio, regardless of their ability to pay. The Foundation's ongoing commitment to Akron Children's Hospital allows us to remain technologically sophisticated and helps to ensure that our standard of care is second to none. We sincerely appreciate the support and consider the Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation a true champion for Children's."

Among the dignitaries at the Bridgestone Firestone Technical Center in Akron, Ohio, were: Don Padgett III, executive director, Bridgestone Invitational; Mark A. Emkes, chairman and CEO, BSAH and BFNT; Brian Moore, executive committee president, Northern Ohio Golf Charities, Inc.; and David Hicks, president, Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation, Inc..

There are two ways not-for-profit, 510 (c) (3) organizations can receive funds generated in conjunction with the 2008 Bridgestone Invitational:

1) Submit a grant request to Northern Ohio Golf Charities. Further details can be found at www.nogcf.org.

2) Participate in the Birdies for Charity program where funds are generated by charities that solicit

pledges for each birdie made by the professional golfers during the Bridgestone Invitational.

Interested charities should attend a scheduled March 19th meeting.

For more information call 330-644-2299.

Tickets to the Bridgestone Invitational can be purchased by calling the Championship Office at 330-664-2299, toll free 1-877-942-4849 or by visiting www.worldgolfchampionships.com.