Ford Partnership with DAV Supports Generations of Disabled Veterans

Henry Ford organized a cross-country caravan of 50 Model T Fords to take disabled veterans to their convention in San Francisco in 1922. Ford Motor Company and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) have been working together ever since.

“For 90 years, Ford has helped DAV build better lives for America’s injured or ill veterans and their families,” said DAV National Commander Donald L. Samuels.

The partnership between Ford and DAV continues to grow stronger. Ford Motor Company is donating another $200,000 to purchase eight new vehicles for the DAV Transportation Network.

Volunteer drivers use the vehicles to take sick and disabled veterans to VA medical centers.

“Ford is proud of our partnership with DAV which spans 90 years,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “We are pleased to lend our support so that these deserving veterans can get the transportation they need to receive critical services.”

Since 1996, Ford has donated more than $3.4 million for the purchase of 164 vans for the DAV Transportation Network. The latest donation of Ford E-350 vans will be distributed to DAV locations in Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

“The DAV Transportation Network provides much-needed services to thousands of veterans. Our Transportation Network volunteer drivers log millions of miles on the road each year taking ill and injured veterans to VA medical center appointments and returning them home,” said the DAV’s National Director of Voluntary Services Ron Minter.

Ford also donated $45,000 to DAV’s youth volunteer scholarship program to help DAV provide scholarships to young men and women who have generously volunteered their time and compassion to injured veterans in their community. In honor of the 90th anniversary of Ford’s partnership with DAV, Ford Motor Company has increased its contribution to the Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program to total $90,000 over two years. Ford also provided a $25,000 grant for DAV’s Winter Sports Clinic. Since 1996, Ford has donated more than $6.5 million to DAV.