Firestone 100 Who Serve Award Recipients Honored
During Indianapolis 500 Pre-Race Ceremonies
Award recognizes service, courage and acts of kindness

Indianapolis, Ind. (May 27, 2001)-Ninety years ago the first Indianapolis 500 race was won by a driver on Firestone tires. That historic victory and the philanthropy of the company's founder were commemorated today as Bridgestone/Firestone President and CEO John Lampe stood on the track's start-finish line and honored the extraordinary service and courage of the three top winners of the Firestone 100 Who Serve campaign.

Lampe's presentation to the two teenagers and one adult was watched by several hundred thousand fans from the grandstands during the pre-race ceremonies. The three were among 100 people from across America saluted by Bridgestone/Firestone for their good deeds and unselfish efforts to help others.

The award recipients were Tyler Copenhaver, 17, of Bothell, Washington, who helped rescue a family of four (including two-year old twin girls) from their burning home; Sandy Sayre, a nurse from Covington, Virginia, who helped establish a clinic for the homeless; and Melissa Corrigan, 14, of Sarastoa Springs, New York, who raised funds on behalf of another young girl battling cancer.

"It is an honor and privilege to stand in the presence of these heroes; their efforts embody the spirit in which this award was conceived and should serve as an inspiration to us all," Lampe said "Harvey Firestone was committed to the principle of helping others, and this award serves to honor his philanthropy by recognizing it in others. Were Harvey alive today, he would be proud to stand here and shake these individuals' hands."

Bridgestone/Firestone launched the 100 Who Serve campaign in early 2000 as part of the centennial celebration for the Firestone tire brand. Hundreds of people from all 50 states nominated others for the awards, and an independent judging firm reviewed and verified the achievements and accomplishments of the nominees.

The Bridgestone/Firestone Trust Fund provided a $2,000 contribution to the non-profit charity of choice for each of the 100 people selected to receive the Firestone 100 Who Serve award.

The top three winners were recognized at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and received additional funds from the Bridgestone/Firestone Trust Fund for their charity of choice. Copenhaver directed his contribution to two organizations; $2,000 to Focus on the Family and $15,000 to the Antioch Church. Sayre directed her contributions to the Roanoke Valley Trouble Center ($2,000) and the Rescue Mission of Roanoke ($10,000). Corrigan directed her contributions to the Boston Ronald McDonald House ($7,000). Altogether, the Bridgestone/Firestone Trust Fund contributed more than $230,000 to charitable and service organizations through the Firestone 100 Who Serve Campaign.

Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. is the largest subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. Bridgestone/Firestone develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, and associate and private brand tires. The company also produces Firestone air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber, and industrial fibers and textiles.

The company is involved in many forms of motorsports, supplying Bridgestone tires to Formula One competition, Firestone tires to the Indy Racing League and the Championship Auto Racing Teams series, and Dayton tires to the Dayton Indy Lights Championship. In this year's Indianapolis 500, every car is equipped with the company's Firestone Firehawk racing radials.

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