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Chip Wood, Founder and Chairman of Tire Discounters, was honored with a $17,000 donation to May We Help, a Cincinnati-based non-profit co-founded by his father, Bill Wood. May We Help develops custom, life-enhancing devices for people with disabilities.
The donation was presented by Modern Tire Dealer Magazine in recognition of Chip being awarded the title of 2020 Tire Dealer of the Year. Awarded to the nation’s top independent tire dealer, Chip was recognized for his remarkable industry achievements, business expertise, and community involvement.
Since its first store opened off Wooster Pike in 1976, Tire Discounters has evolved into one of the United States’ 10 largest independent tire and automotive repair store chains, with more than 140 locations throughout six states and growing rapidly.
May We Help was created by three mechanical engineers to give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to gain independence and pursue their passions. Bill Wood was specifically inspired by a young lady with cerebral palsy who was using a pencil in her mouth to turn book pages. Bill then designed a device for her that turned the pages with the push of a button. Since its founding, the charity has grown into a team of engineers, industrial designers, inventors, welders, woodworkers, seamstresses, doctors, occupational and physical therapists that design, build and deliver unique devices for individuals with special needs.
“The ambitious spirit that fueled Tire Discounters’ growth is directly influenced by my father,” Chip Wood said. “I’m incredibly proud to be able to honor him with this award and to support the incredible work May We Help continues to do every day.”
As part of the Tire Dealer of the Year award program, a donation is made to the recipient’s charity of choice. Tire Discounters is a long-time contributor and supporter to May We Help because of the passion Chip’s family and employees have felt for the organization. Tire Discounters also supports May We Help through in-store promotions that allow customers to donate money to provide life-enhancing devices for many people. Recent customer donations enabled May We Help to produce face shields that were distributed to frontline medical workers during the pandemic.
“That’s why Chip and Tire Discounters’ support means so much to us,” says Rob Seideman, May We Help’s Executive Director. “We’re always looking for ways that May We Help volunteers can use their phenomenal skill sets to fill needs in the community. And when we identify those opportunities, Chip and Tire Discounters are always there to make sure we have the support to see them through.”