Circuit City Stores, Inc., the leading specialty retailer of consumer electronics and related services as part of its firedog(SM) services today announced here of the nomination of Chickahominy Volunteer Fire Department Station 10 of Ashland, Va., as the grand prize winner in its "firedog Across America" essay contest while conferring on the department a check for $141,402. It has been regarded at the same time, that the eccentric amount is comprised of the grand prize amounting to $100,000), a finalist award amounting to $20,000 in conjunction with the department's portion of a shared prize pool generated by an online voting competition. It is to be remembered in this respect, by the attentive readers at large, that the very program was launched in the month of the last December with the primary objective of accomplishing the task within six months and for the sake of advocating the cause of the communities through identification and rewarding of brilliant public service rendered by the professional and volunteer firefighters of USA. From the specific period of April 28 through May 13, the finalists worked tirelessly for promoting themselves in their local communities so as to secure support in the online voting portion of the very contest.

The Circuit City initiated its journey i n 1949, when Samuel Wurtzel opened Virginia's first retail television store Ward's—Richmond with the sole objective of providing the community with a new technology for changing the face of consumer electronics forever. Within a period of 50 years the company with 643 stores and diversified business network is a Fortune 200 Company and the third largest consumer electronics retailer in the United States.  Circuit City's domestic segment operating in 12 other locations in the U.S. and its Superstores range in size from 15,000 to 45,000 square feet (1400 to 4000 m²) through an offering of a large selection of brand-name consumer electronics, personal computers and entertainment software. The Company's international segment is operated through over 800 retail stores and dealer outlets in Canada. The escalating scenario of business confides the Circuit City in developing its technologies and solutions to make life easier and enjoyable through latest technological innovations.

While talking with the newsmen Peter C. Weedfald, the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Circuit City Stores, Inc. said, "As our campaign demonstrated so dramatically, a firefighter's service to his or her community knows no bounds. 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."