|
Miami, Fl, October 15th, 2008 - Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford, announced today that they plan to invest an additional $600,000 over the next year in South Florida’s community programs and charities.
The new funding will support a combination of organizations related to education, automotive safety, human services and other volunteer activities that enhance the quality of life in South Florida.
“Operation Goodwill gives us the opportunity to better target our philanthropy and community relations activities in key U.S. markets, such as South Florida, and to solidly demonstrate that Ford has been, and will continue to be a supportive corporate citizen in the community,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Ford Motor Company is actively committed to South Florida, and now in conjunction with the local dealers we’re increasing the level of involvement,” added Vella.
Ford and its area dealers are working together to increase the impact of the company’s philanthropy in South Florida. Ford’s dealers identified more than 15 organizations that will receive support through Operation Goodwill. Ford allocated funds to partner and contribute with these organizations and the local dealers are participating actively with program partners. The company and dealers are pooling resources like never before to support the community outreach efforts.
Operation Goodwill South Florida will be on October 17th in partnership with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Jim Vella will outline the details of the Operation Goodwill program that significantly increases philanthropy and community relations in South Florida.
“South Florida Ford dealers are joining forces with Ford Motor Company to regionalize its philanthropic giving,” said Lombardo Pérez, Owner/President, Metro Ford Lincoln Mercury. “We think this is the right thing to do because the needs within our communities have never been greater, and we can provide guidance to Ford on how to best target programs in our community.”
Following are the programs and organizations that are being supported by Ford Motor Company, Ford Motor Company Fund, and South Florida Ford dealers through Operation Goodwill:
Education:
The Ford Scholars - Ford Motor Company Fund will provide 44 $1,000 scholarships for deserving Hispanic students who wish to pursue an undergraduate degree in a field that is pertinent to the automotive industry through a partnership with The Hispanic College Fund.
Adopt-a-Classroom - Adopt-A-Classroom increases the opportunity for student success by empowering teachers with community partners and funds to purchase resources for the classroom. Ford Motor Company Fund is the lead sponsor of Miami-Dade County Public Schools District Wide Rollout Program. Ford’s contribution will be distributed among 412 schools in Miami-Dade serving 125,000 children.
The Miami Herald Dade & Broward Athletic Awards - The Miami Herald’s All-Dade and All-Broward Athletic Awards recognizes outstanding high school students for their athletic and academic achievements. Presented since 1964, it has become one of South Florida’s most coveted high school awards ceremony recognizing more than 15,000 student-athletes in over 15 categories. All private and public high school athletes are eligible to participate with more than 80 schools joining the competition each year. Ford Motor Company Fund will support the celebration of athletes and teams.
Automotive Safety:
High School Seniors and Adult Drivers Education Courses - Miami-Dade County Public Schools provides driver's education courses to high school seniors and adults during the school year. Upon completion of these courses high school seniors receive a certificate that allows them to get lower auto insurance rates. A large portion of their funds goes to repairs and fuel costs. Ford Motor Company Fund’s donation will help MDCPS by providing funding for fuel and repairs and allow them to expand the program and outreach to more schools.
Human Services:
Special Olympics Fall Fashion Show Event presented by Saks Fifth Avenue - Special Olympics Miami-Dade Countywas established in 1991 for children and adults in our community ages 8 and up with intellectual disabilities. The positive experiences that the Special Olympics athletes have in year-round sports training, competition programs and summer camp build confidence and self-image, which carries over into all aspects of their lives. Ford Motor Company will sponsor the Fall Fashion Show which raises funds needed to help the current and potential intellectually disabled population served by Special Olympics Miami-Dade County.
Shake-a-Leg Miami - Each year, Shake-A-Leg helps over 3,000 children and adults with physical, developmental and economic challenges; liberating them from the realm of imagination into the realm of experience. They have successfully created an inspirational haven, where people of all backgrounds and abilities find common ground. Shake-A-Leg Miami is South Florida’s "Gateway to Biscayne Bay." Ford Motor Company Fund’s support will help the organization begin a phased boat replacement program that would enable them to upgrade and maintain the fleet and marina.
Liga Contra el Cancer/League Against Cancer - League Against Cancer provides free medical care to needy Cancer patients. More than 350 Florida physicians, who are board-certified in their specialties, volunteer their services to the League Against Cancer. League Against Cancer is the last resort for cancer victims who have no financial resources or health insurance. Patients receive the appropriate medical treatments at no cost to them. Ford Motor Company Fund supports Liga Contra el Cáncer Annual Telethon.
American Heritage & Legacy:
Viernes Culturales/Cultural Fridays - Cultural Fridays is a non-profit organization aimed at promoting cultural awareness in Little Havana. Cultural Fridays is an artistic, cultural, and social arts and culture fair that takes place on the last Friday of each month in the historic Little Havana neighborhood of Miami and attracts approximately 70,000 visitors and tourists a year.
Miami-Dade College - Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration - The Wolfson Campus of Miami Dade College opened in 1970 holding classes in storefronts in downtown Miami. Since then, it has played an integral part in the effort to develop the skyline of downtown Miami. As the only comprehensive urban campus in the City of Miami, it provides a fully accredited, high-quality education to over 27,000 students each year. Ford Motor Company supports Miami-Dade College’s Hispanic Heritage Month during the month of October, with a series of events in celebration of the Hispanic culture. The college presents an array of free events, such as art exhibits, lectures, film screenings, comedy shows and dance classes.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Heritage Expo – Ford Motor Company supports this important event put together by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and El Nuevo Herald. The Expo is held at the Miami Beach Convention and features a diverse range of activities and exhibits.
Environment:
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce - The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce seeks solutions to the problems that vex businesses and creates solutions when answers cannot be found. It is dedicated to building the best environment for business in the Americas. The Chamber is committed to improving the economic vitality of the community, with a keen eye on quality of life issues and social justice for all residents. Ford Motor Company support will help them carry out their mission.
Volunteers:
Habitat for Humanity – Habitat for Humanity builds homes that are purchased by low-income families in need of a decent, affordable place to live. These houses can be bequeathed to the next generation, leaving a lasting legacy of the fulfillment of their homeownership dream and providing a future for their families. Ford Motor Company will be a house sponsor.
Boys and Girls Club of Broward County - The mission of the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County is to help improve the lives of young people ages 7-17 by building self-esteem and developing values and skills during their critical period of growth. Ford Motor Company Fund supports the 12th Annual Dunn’s Run.
Amigos for Kids - Amigos for Kids responds to the diverse needs of South Florida’s abused, abandoned, neglected and less-fortunate children. Throughout its 15-year history, Amigos has come to the aid of South Florida’s most valuable natural resource, its children, and offers numerous programs for these children in the inner city across South Florida. Ford Motor Company Fund supports Amigos For Kids and shares in the hope to strengthen the entire community by helping to eliminate the painful cycle of child abuse and neglect.
About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is committed to creating opportunities that promote corporate citizenship, philanthropy, volunteerism and cultural diversity for those who live in the communities where Ford operates. Established in 1949 and made possible by funding from Ford Motor Company, Ford Motor Company Fund supports initiatives and institutions that foster innovative education, auto-related safety, and American heritage and legacy. National programs include Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which provides high school students with academically rigorous 21st century learning experiences, and Driving Skills for Life, a teen-focused auto safety initiative. The Ford Volunteer Corps, established in 2005, continues Ford's legacy of caring worldwide. Through the Volunteer Corps, Ford employees and retirees participate in a wide range of volunteer projects in their communities. For more information on programs made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, visit the website.