Ford Volunteer Corps Salutes Veterans and Military Families on Ford Accelerated Action Day
Next Up - Giving and Sharing - December 4, 2009
(DEARBORN, November 10, 2009) – The Ford Volunteer Corps enlisted employees and retirees for the first Ford Accelerated Action Day dedicated exclusively to veterans and military families.
“The volunteer men and women of the armed forces defend our freedom each and every day,” said Janet Lawson, director, Ford Volunteer Corps. “Our Ford volunteers wanted to thank them for their service and sacrifice, and give something back to those who have given so much for us."
MODEL Teams of Ford volunteers went to work at several facilities serving veterans in southeast Michigan and Washington, D.C. Ford volunteers painted walls and replaced flooring at Veteran's Haven in Wayne, Michigan. The nonprofit veterans outreach center has programs serving hundreds of veterans.
"We provide food, clothing and shelter for homeless veterans. If they have a need and we have it, we give it to them. Their obligation is to become self-sufficient as soon as possible," said Ed Bardon, vice president, Veteran's Haven. "To have the Ford volunteers here is extremely important to us."
Veteran's Haven was one of several agencies that received Ford mini-grants of up to $5,000 to buy the tools and supplies needed to complete the volunteer work. The VA Hospitals in Detroit and Ann Arbor, and Fisher House in Washington, D.C were among the other organizations taking part.
"I really appreciate that Ford takes the time to do this, and encourages employees and their teams to do it," said Darrell Rande, manager, Information Technology. "When you get done, you really feel like you've accomplished something."
And you have. Ford Accelerated Action Days are designed to tackle big jobs in a big way. The Ford Volunteer Corps pulls together hundreds of employee and retiree volunteers into MODEL Teams that zero in on critical projects identified by Ford’s agency partners.
Ford has employed thousands of veterans over the years, guaranteeing their jobs and supplementing the military pay of many while they are on active duty in war zones. In 1922, Henry Ford began a relationship with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) that continues to this day. In recent years, Ford has donated more than 130 vehicles to the DAV Transportation Network, and also contributes to scholarships and DAV programs such as the Winter Sports Clinic.
"Ford Motor Company has been very supportive and we get tremendous support from Ford volunteers," said Bardon. "We thank them for their time and efforts. We certainly appreciate it."
"I have family members who served," said Rebecca Faerber, IT Solutions Support. "This is a very special thing to do."
"Anything we can give back to veterans is a big plus," said Steve Kempfer, supervisor, Fuel Systems Engineering. "We try to be active in the community."
This was the fourth Ford Accelerated Action Day in 2009. In March, volunteers addressed the needs of children and families. The environment was the focus in May and community building projects in September during Ford Global Week of Caring.
The next Ford Accelerated Action Day is December 4 and will focus on feeding the hungry under the theme Giving and Sharing. Ford volunteers also will help pack and deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
