TOLEDO, Ohio — A grant from Bridgestone Tires is providing a brand-new passenger van to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Toledo. The van was one of 10 vehicles awarded nationwide by Bridgestone Tires to Boys & Girls Clubs. It seats 15 kids and is meant to help get a large number of kids around town a little easier.
Bridgestone area manager Travis Lattimore, who oversees Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan storefronts said the kids are excited about the possibilities of where they can go and what they can do.
"I think I heard one kid say, 'we're going to be able to go to the movies,' and another kid saying, 'we're going to be able to go to the Zoo'," said Lattimore. "Knowing that my corporation was a part of making that accessible to them is a really cool feeling," he continued.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo President and CEO Jim Ravas said the van is a gamechanger for the organization. He said the van arrived at the right time, as the number of clubs have doubled in the last four years. There are currently nine clubs across the Toledo area, meaning more kids and more trips.
"We're serving 550 kids a day, and whether it's getting kids to and from the Zoo or Imagination Station or the YMCA, whatever that may be- it's important," said Ravas.
Ravas credits the growth to the legacy of former clubs CEO David Wehrmeister, who died of cancer two weeks ago. Ravas said he knows exactly what Wehrmeister would have to say about the award.
"He would have smiled, and said 'it's all about the kids," recounted Ravas.
Tuesday was all about the kids, and they couldn't have been more excited.
"That beautiful van is going to take us to so many accomplishments and field trips that I think we deserve," said 15-year-old club member Dominic Ortiz. "[The kids] have a safe place to go. They got a bus, transportation. Any bus that can get us around is better because it's better to have transportation quicker and fast, to make sure all the kids have a blessed and good day at the club," he continued.