In addition to the financial contributions made by Ford and Ford Motor Company Fund to hundreds of organizations globally in 2006, hundreds of thousands of Ford employees and retirees volunteered to help build stronger communities around the world.
Volunteerism and community service have long been a part of Ford's culture. In 1997, Ford instituted its 16-Hour Community Service Program, which allows salaried employees in the United States and several other countries to volunteer two days per year on Company time. More than 30,000 salaried employees donated more than 80,000 volunteer hours last year. In response to the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Bill Ford created the Ford Volunteer Corps in February 2005. The Corps acts as an umbrella organization that supports and coordinates Company volunteer efforts.
In 2006, Ford launched its first Global Week of Caring, a week-long series of volunteer events around the world, coordinated by the Volunteer Corps. During the week, nearly 3,000 Ford employees in 10 countries donated more than 17,600 hours of their time. They built homes, donated blood, cleaned up parks and beaches, entertained children, and collected food, clothing and other essential items. Collectively, they built 27 homes, donated 44 computer packages, collected more than 45,000 toys and nearly 300 pounds of food. They also raised nearly $600,000 for nonprofit organizations.
Ford received the 2006 U.S. Chamber of Commerce award for our relief and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In addition, the State of Michigan recognized the mission and accomplishments of the Ford Volunteer Corps with the Michigan Governor's Service Award for commitment to the community.
