Celebrating our Five-Year Anniversary of Supporting Our Nation’s Heroes and the Gary Sinise Foundation

– American Tire Distributors (ATD) is proud to announce the five-year anniversary of its support of the Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF), a nonprofit organization committed to serving our nation's defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. ATD is partnering with customers, vendors, and associates to raise funds for the Foundation during the Summer for Heroes giving campaign.

This year’s Summer for Heroes campaign kicked off in April with the 5K for Heroes, a yearly event for ATD associates and their families to raise donations for GSF. The campaign will wrap up on Oct. 13 at the fourth annual Gala for Heroes followed by the annual ‘Golf for Heroes’ golf classic on Oct. 14. 

“As we reflect on our five-year partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation, we are humbled by the opportunity to join hands with an organization that shares our unwavering passion for supporting those that give so much,” said Stuart Schuette, President and CEO of ATD. “Our commitment to our nation’s heroes only grows stronger year after year, fueled by the belief that every act of kindness has the potential to make a profound impact.”

This year, the donations raised by ATD customers, vendors, and associates during the Summer for Heroes campaign will support four Gary Sinise Foundation programs, including:

• Mental Wellness Support. GSF’s strategic partnerships with organizations across the country help meet the mental wellness needs of first responders and veterans. By providing detailed evaluation and treatment, community-building opportunities, treatment options, and resiliency workshops, GSF empowers veterans to begin their healing journey.
• First Responders Outreach. GSF supports first responders by providing training, equipment, and resources needed to perform their important jobs. GSF also builds and modifies homes with smart technology to help the severely wounded on their path to recovery.
• Snowball Express. Through this initiative, GSF aids the families of fallen heroes by connecting them with other families who have experienced a similar loss. This allows them to build relationships, find support, and honor the legacy of their lost loved ones.
• Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment (R.I.S.E.). This program builds specially adapted, mortgage-free smart homes tailored to support severely wounded heroes as they navigate everyday challenges. In addition, GSF provides mobility devices, adapted vehicles, and home modifications to help heroes in need.

Since the partnership began in 2019, ATD has raised more than $4.5 million for the Gary Sinise Foundation. In 2023, GSF’s Giving Tuesday campaign, inspired by ATD’s Summer for Heroes campaign, raised $3.4 million, which helped provide support for veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and their families.

To contribute or learn more about ATD’s Summer for Heroes campaign benefiting the Gary Sinise Foundation, click here.