The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today announced that it signed a multi-year agreement to become the title sponsor of the All-American Soap Box Derby (AASBD), a youth racing program for youngsters competing in gravity-powered race cars. In addition, the Company will donate 200 sanctioned race car kits to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (B&GCA), allowing more children an opportunity to compete in this year’s All-American Soapbox Derby races. As part of the newly created alliance, Home Depot will supply 20 race car kits to local Clubs in ten select cities throughout the United States including New York; Los Angeles; Chicago; Washington D.C.; Atlanta; Detroit; Houston; Seattle; Orlando; and Charlotte. TEAM Depot associates in those markets will devote several hours to the respective regional races to guide participating children through the race car building process. TEAM Depot, an organized volunteer force, was developed in 1992 to encourage volunteer activities within the stores’ local communities. Home Depot assumes sponsorship duties from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, the title sponsor since 1999. Goodyear will continue as a Derby sponsor in another role. Additionally, earlier this year, AASBD entered into a partnership with NASCAR to promote one another’s respective racing programs. Last July, more than 400 boys and girls between the ages of nine and 16 from 43 states, Washington, D.C., Germany, the Philippines and Japan, earned the right to compete in the 65th All-American Soap Box Derby championships at the Derby Downs racing facility in Akron. As part of the comprehensive sponsorship, Home Depot will grant $15,000 each year to an annual scholarship fund managed by the AASBD and receive national media exposure and logo space on all helmets and signage at every sanctioned event.(PR)(2-24-2003)
