DEARBORN, Mich., May 16, 2011 – Ford Motor Company and the online community GOOD have joined together to launch “Reinventing the Outdoors,” an online competition that brings together nonprofits and celebrities in the quest to win a $50,000 grant.

 

The competition, which features the 2011 Ford Explorer, pairs athletes, actors and Hollywood comedians with six nonprofit organizations that are focused on improving the way people live, work and play. The celebrities featured in the video series are Will Ferrell, Edward Norton, Todd Wells, Arian Foster, Danny Way and Laird Hamilton.

 

“Ford is proud to be partnering with GOOD on the Reinventing the Outdoors campaign,” said Craig Patters, Explorer marketing manager. “The 2011 Ford Explorer is 100 percent reinvented, so it is appropriate that Explorer and GOOD are joining forces to recognize an organization that is committed to preserving the outdoors and reinventing how we live and play.”

 

Beginning May 16, the celebrities and nonprofits will each begin competing for votes. A series of videos featuring the celebrity can be viewed at good.is/rto. Voters can cast their online ballots daily until voting closes on May 20. The organization that has received the most votes will be the recipient of the $50,000 grant. The winner will be announced May 24.

 

“GOOD is committed to preserving and enhancing the quality of life in our communities,” said Ben Goldhirsh, co-founder and CEO of GOOD. “Many people and groups are working hard every day to protect our planet and expand recreational opportunities across the country. We are thrilled to be partnering with the Ford Explorer to reward one worthy group.”

 

About the charities and the celebrity supporters:

Will Ferrell and Cancer for College
Actor, impressionist and comedian Will Ferrell got his start on the NBC hit Saturday Night Live and has subsequently starred in the comedy films Old School, Elf, Anchorman, Talladega Nights, Stranger Than Fiction, Blades of Glory, Semi-Pro and The Other Guys.

 

Ferrell is stumping for Cancer for College, a nonprofit founded by two-time cancer survivor and longtime Ferrell friend Craig Pollard. The organization offers scholarships to survivors of cancer and amputees who want to live their dream and share in the college experience through funds raised from a golf tournament. What started as Pollard’s dream, with help from Ferrell and others, has to date awarded more than $750,000 in scholarships to more than 700 survivors. www.cancerforcollege.org

 

Skateboarding superstar Danny Way won his first contest at age 11 in 1986. Since then he has gone on to set long-distance jump records and win numerous medals at the X Games.

 

Way is campaigning for Action Sports Environmental Coalition (ASEC). For the past eight years ASEC has been the conscience and driving force for sustainability in action sports; the movement is passionately supported by hundreds of riders, brands and fans. This movement is also represented on the front lines by a robust offering of products carried by a large number of retailers worldwide. www.asecaction.org

 

Academy Award-winning actor Edward Norton is best known for his roles in Primal Fear and American History X. In addition to acting, Norton is also a writer and director. He made his directorial debut with the film Keeping the Faith and is slated to direct the film adaptation of the novel Motherless Brooklyn.

 

Norton is supporting Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (MWCT), which works to protect the legendary ecosystems and astounding biodiversity of East Africa through conservation that directly benefits local Maasai communities. MWCT funds and operates programs that promote sustainable economic benefits including lease payments for conservancy zones, carbon credits, payments for watershed protection, sustainable eco-tourism, wildlife monitoring and security, conservation and tourism employment. MWCT is creating a cutting-edge model of successful community-based conservation that directly benefits education and health programs within the community. www.maasitrust.org

 

Laird Hamilton and Surfrider Foundation
American surfing legend Laird Hamilton is best known for his surfing skills but he has also been a featured model in fashion and action sports.

 

Hamilton is stumping for Surfrider Foundation, an organization committed to the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. www.surfrider.org

Houston Texans Pro-Bowler Arian Foster led the National Football League in rushing in 2010 with an astounding 1,616 yards rushed.

 

Foster is campaigning for the Boys & Girls Club of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, an organization committed to enabling all young people, especially those most in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. www.boysandgirlsabqrio.com

 

Todd Wells is a professional bicycle racer specializing in cyclocross and mountain bike racing in the United States. In cyclo-cross, Wells captured the 2001, 2005 and 2010 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships.

 

Wells is supporting Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists, a bike club devoted to the promotion of mountain biking. The club views the sport as a vehicle to promote low-impact outdoor recreation, conservation and mountain bicycling opportunities that are environmentally and socially responsible. www.sdmb.org

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