Caring is contagious. It gets into your heart and into your head.
Employees at Ford Motor Company know all about it. They’re part of a tradition of caring and sharing that goes back more than 100 years.
Volunteers pitch in with a fresh coat of paint
as part of their work in Southeastern Michigan.
You might say it’s become an epidemic of service.
“Despite all our difficulties, there is one thing I never doubt. Ford has the best people,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Every time we do a volunteer program more people turn out. No company can match us when it comes to volunteers.”
The latest project for the Ford Volunteer Corps was the second of four Accelerated Action Days scheduled for 2008. Creating a better world was the focus of this effort. More than 500 Ford volunteers joined 48 MODEL Teams to tackle environmental cleanup, repair and restoration projects in communities across Southeast Michigan.
Ford’s annual Rouge River Cleanup was the day’s largest project. MODEL Teams of volunteers branched out to two dozen locations along the famous waterway to plant native species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers, while also building turtle rafts and bird boxes. This year’s effort marked Ford’s tenth year of progress toward bringing the river back to life.
“It’s been great. We can provide raw materials and a plan, but we don’t have the staff to accomplish what we’re doing today,” said Dearborn Mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr. “The river used to be in really bad shape. Now, salmon have returned, trout are making a comeback and we have 250 species of birds in the Rouge River Basin, even eagles. Ford has been a great community partner.”“Every time we come back to the river our handiwork is quite evident,” said Larry Border, volunteer, Ford Motor Company Fund. “It’s been a good thing, a chance to give back to the community.”
The Rouge River Cleanup was one of fifteen projects awarded mini-grants from the Ford Volunteer Corps for this Accelerated Action Day. The dollars were used to purchase shovels, rakes, gloves, plants and mulch, anything needed to spruce up the environment along the river or on the grounds of area agencies in need of help.
“We’re building more than cars and trucks. We’re building better communities,” said Janet Lawson, director, Ford Volunteer Corps. “The needs of our communities are greater than ever and it’s important that Ford volunteers get out and help.”
And help they did. At the Methodist Children's Home, Boys and Girl's Republic, Starfish Family Services, Vista Maria, the Detroit Zoo and more.
This proud team of Ford volunteers wraps
up a day of giving back to the community.
“It’s a great feeling to see the smiles on the faces,” said Michael Taylor, volunteer, Supplier Technical Assistance. “The community supports Ford and Ford recognizes the importance of giving back.”
The Ford Volunteer Corps held its first Accelerated Action Day in March under the theme of strengthening children and families. Projects such as painting and cleaning at child service agencies and shelters were estimated to reach close to 100,000 children and families.
This time around, there are more projects, and more volunteers.
“On the first Accelerated Action Day, we painted inside. Now, we’re working on the outside,” said Wendy Kearney, manager, Volunteer Resources, Vista Maria. “If it’s cheery inside and cherry outside it helps the girls, empowers them, gets them to work harder. There are never enough helping hands. The Ford volunteers are wonderful.”
“It’s an excellent program,” said Wayne Smith, volunteer, Ford Supplier Technical Assistance. “We don’t always realize the hardship and trauma others face. If we can contribute in some small way to help these young girls, it’s nice.”
