POMPANO BEACH, Fla., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Goodyear blimp, "Spirit of Innovation," will take to the skies over Daytona International Speedway this week to deliver disaster relief messages to the tens of thousands attending on-site activities, preliminary races and NASCAR's Daytona 500. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050204/GTLOGO ) The airship will utilize its illuminated sign to provide a phone number and Web site where event attendees can direct their contributions to the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund, an agency that has been established to provide relief to storm-stricken Floridians. "Thanks to the generosity of Goodyear, the people of Lake, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties will be better able to begin putting their lives back together," said Florida Governor Charlie Crist. "Donations to this fund will help tornado survivors, just as they have helped hundreds across our state recover from hurricane devastation," he said. The message that the blimp will carry will be: "Your friends and neighbors ... victims of Florida's recent tornadoes, need your help. Call the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund at 1-800-825-3786, or go to http://www.volunteerfloridafoundation.org/." "Whenever we can put our innovative messaging system to work during times of need, we are delighted to do so," noted Chuck Sinclair, senior vice president of global communications for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. "The thoughts and prayers of all Goodyear associates are with the victims of the recent tornadoes in Florida. We hope this awareness effort will help bring relief to those who desperately need it." Weather permitting, Goodyear's "Spirit of Innovation" airship will provide its disaster relief message in and around the Daytona area beginning Wednesday, February 14. The blimp will also be providing aerial coverage of NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series race on Friday, February 16, for the Speed Channel; NASCAR's Busch Series race on Saturday, February 17, for ESPN 2; and then the Daytona 500 being carried by Fox Television on Sunday, February 18. Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. The company manufactures tires, engineered rubber products and chemicals in more than 90 facilities in 28 countries around the world. Goodyear employs more than 75,000 people worldwide. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050204/GTLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company CONTACT: Eddie Ogden of The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, +1-330-796-5297, cell +1-330-283-4694 Web site: http://www.goodyear.com/ http://www.volunteerfloridafoundation.org/

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