SOUTH FLORIDA TO RECEIVE $600,000 IN NEW FUNDING FROM FORD AS PART OF AUTOMAKERS COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Ford Motor Company launches Operation Goodwill in South Florida, contributing an additional $600,000 over the next year to community organizations in the region
*Ford is partnering with its area dealers in new ways to increase the focus on the needs of local communities
*44 Hispanic students in South Florida who wish to pursue an undergraduate degree in a field that is pertinent to the automotive industry will receive scholarships from the Ford Blue Oval Scholars Program
*New funding will support organizations related to education, human services, automotive safety, volunteer programs, among others
*The Operation Goodwill program kick-off will take place on October 17th in partnership with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
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.
