Ford, Employees Reach Out to Help Communities Recover

Company, plant contributions top $145,000, volunteers help clean up tornado damage

When a string of devastating tornados blew through southern Ohio, employees at Ford's Sharonville Transmission Plant (STP) developed a plan of action to help the community.

“We knew right away that something had to be done,” said Gary Alexander, UAW job security representative at STP. “So we got together and discussed how we could help.”

Employees started collecting donations at the plant gate for families impacted by the twisters. The workers pitched in more than $7,300 which was given to the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the American Red Cross. Members of UAW Local 863 then went to work helping residents with clean up. Ford employees went further by also collecting food, clothing and cleaning supplies.

The scenes of caring and community service were repeated at Ford facilities across the border in Kentucky. Louisville Assembly (LAP) and Kentucky Truck (KTP) Plants partnered to collect gate donations for relief efforts after devastating tornados struck their area. Employees at the two plants chipped in some $38,000 and many volunteered to help with rebuilding efforts. Even employees at the Ford Pilot Plant in Dearborn raised more than $1,000 to help support LAP and KTP.

Employee contributions and $100,000 from Ford Motor Company Fund and Ford Operation Goodwill brings the total donation to more than $145,000. In the wake of the most recent outbreak of tornadoes, Ford Motor Company Fund has donated $10,000 to the American Red Cross chapter in the Dallas area.

“Our hearts go out to our neighbors impacted by these destructive tornadoes,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “We are ready to help those whose lives have been disrupted by this tragedy.”

Ford Motor Company has been an active partner with the American Red Cross for more than 30 years. For the past 60 years, Ford Motor Company Fund has worked with nonprofit partners to advance driving safety, education and community life.

If you'd like to donate to the American Red Cross to help with tornado relief efforts, please follow this link: http://american.redcross.org/ford-pub