Richmond, VA (PRWEB) May 23, 2007
Circuit City’s firedog(SM) services today named Chickahominy Volunteer Fire Department Station 10 of Ashland, Va., the grand prize winner in its ‘firedog(SM) Across America’ essay contest, presenting the department a check for $ 141,402. The unorthodox amount includes the grand prize ($ 100,000), a finalist award ($ 20,000) plus the department’s portion of a shared prize pool generated by an online voting competition.
Circuit City Stores, Inc. launched its six-month program last December to support communities by identifying and rewarding exceptional public service rendered by America’s professional and volunteer firefighters.
Mechanicsville resident Winnie Southworth nominated Station 10 for helping her son Mark, who has Down syndrome, recognize his lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter. Since inviting him to join the squad seven years ago the squad at Station 10 has worked with Mark to build on his strengths. Mark quickly developed his favorite duties, in particular serving as St. Nick during the fire department’s annual Christmas parade. Today, he helps with truck and firehouse maintenance, trains with crew members, and most importantly, cherishes their friendship and respect.
“They, as all firemen, risk their lives because they value mankind,” Winnie Southworth wrote in her winning essay. “In return, they have a brotherhood that few of us will experience in this life. This is the gift they share with our son. This is the gift that has made them my heroes.”
“We can’t thank Circuit City enough for honoring our firehouse with this generous prize,” said Steven DeLuca, vice president of Chickahominy Volunteer Fire Department Station 10. “Working with Mark Southworth is truly a gift of its own, and certainly not something we ever expected to be rewarded for. Still, there’s no greater feeling than knowing your contributions have not gone unnoticed.”
“As our campaign demonstrated so dramatically, a firefighter’s service to his or her community knows no bounds,” said Peter C. Weedfald, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Circuit City Stores, Inc. “From saving lives to helping give a life more meaning, firefighters demonstrate day in and day out that their communities are as important to them as they are to their communities. We at Circuit City believe that is something to be grateful for and something worth honoring.”
Circuit City announced the ten “firedog(SM) Across America” finalists on April 28, chosen from a pool of 5,082 nominations. As finalists, each of the ten firehouses received $ 20,000 donations for much-needed equipment and the corresponding essay writers won $ 10,000 home “techovers,” courtesy of Circuit City’s firedog services team.
From April 28 through May 13, the finalists worked tirelessly to promote themselves in their local communities to secure support in the online voting portion of the contest at http://www.firedog.com. As an incentive, Circuit City contributed one dollar for each online vote into a shared prize pool. With 100,669 votes cast, you can find the vote-based donations distribution at: http://web.firedog.com/acrossamerica/
About firedog(SM)
Circuit City Stores, Inc. launched its firedog brand in response to a growing public demand for help with using and enjoying electronic products. Firedog provides a new level of personal computer services, home theater installations and integration of home electronics.
About Circuit City Stores, Inc.
Circuit City Stores, Inc. (NYSE:CC) is a leading specialty retailer of consumer electronics and related services. The domestic segment operates through 643 Superstores and 13 other locations in 158 U.S. markets. The international segment operates through approximately 800 retail stores and dealer outlets in Canada. Circuit City also operates Web sites at http://www.circuitcity.com, http://www.thesourcecc.ca and at http://www.firedog.com.
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