The American Red Cross of South Carolina recognizes the Michelin Corporate Foundation for its generous gift of $120,000 for four new fleet vehicles that will support mission-critical services. American Red Cross vehicles are used in almost every aspect of its work, from responding to home fires, delivering relief supplies, stocking emergency shelters and more. The gift highlights the importance of supporting local communities and those in need across the country.

"When disaster strikes, Red Cross workers climb into Red Cross vehicles and get to where our communities need us. Whether it's providing food, water, and comfort to victims, or pulling up to a hospital with much-needed blood products," said Rod Tolbert, the Regional Executive for the Red Cross of South Carolina. "Thanks to the generous support of the Michelin Corporate Foundation, we've been able to add four new vehicles that will help us reach even more people in need not only in South Carolina but across the country."

American Red Cross community vehicles travel an average of 12,000 miles annually. Aging vehicles require costly repairs and need replacing to make sure everyone gets the help they need. Breaking down is no excuse when you're trying to reach disaster victims. Each year, approximately 440 vehicles must be replaced nationwide.

“Michelin’s partnership with the American Red Cross highlights greatly our purpose to provide motion for life for our employees, customers and communities where we operate,” said Alexis Garcin, chairman and president for Michelin North America. “Safe, sustainable transportation is essential for mission-critical work, and we are proud to support drivers and emergency response workers with these new fleet vehicles.”

These vehicles will be a symbol to impacted communities that their Red Cross is there and ready to help. Over the next decade, the Red Cross expects to replace and potentially increase the current fleet while saving millions of dollars by switching to a more efficient vehicle platform with reduced maintenance costs.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/SC or @RedCrossSC

About the Michelin Corporate Foundation
The Michelin Corporate Foundation was created in January 2014 on the initiative of Mr. Jean-Dominique Senard, former president of the Michelin Group. In line with the commitments and values of the Group, the Foundation operates in five key areas: sustainable mobility, education and community, protecting the environment, sport and health, and heritage and the arts. The activities of the Foundation follow a signature theme of “Helping people move forward,” and seek to promote long-term projects in all countries where Michelin is present.

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