• Jennifer Byrd

Polaris Brings Moore Tires to Tornado Ravaged Oklahoma

Moore, OK (May 30, 2013) - Yesterday, The Salvation Army received a donation of 10 military, off-road vehicles from Polaris Industries Inc. These vehicles offer a unique combination of Run-Flat and Non-Pneumatic Tires (NPT), to enhance The Salvation Army's ability to transport food, water and other critical supplies to survivors, in Moore, Okla. This is the first time these tires are available for civilian use. These units were delivered from Polaris' Osceola, Wis. plant, free of charge, thanks to a generous donation from Bay and Bay Transport and Overbye Trucking.

The donated units, a combination of military ATV, RANGER and RZR vehicles, are outfitted with Run-Flat and NPTs to prevent down time. NPTs have a honeycomb design and are built to never go flat and are virtually indestructible. An invaluable design element, since these vehicles will be driving over varied terrain, which can include nails and glass.

“With the uncertain terrain and debris on the ground from thousands of destroyed homes, these vehicles will allow us to serve in places where our mobile kitchens cannot go," said Major Tom Louden, Incident Commander for The Salvation Army’s disaster relief efforts in Oklahoma. Louden recently came to Moore for a two week deployment from Southwest Florida where he serves as Area Commander. "By coming with us behind the Shield, Polaris is making it possible for The Salvation Army to serve more people in need during times of disaster.”

To date, The Salvation Army has served more than 72,000 meals and snacks to tornado survivors and relief workers across Oklahoma, with pastoral care provided to more than 5,000 people. The Salvation Army is now preparing to offer long-term case management, which can include financial assistance, stress management classes, replacement furniture and much more.

Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2012 sales of $3.2 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER(R) and RZR(R) side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles.