Thousands Join ‘Ford Global Caring Month’ Efforts
Ford volunteers are improving access to clean water, renovating schools, and empowering the disadvantaged via community projects.
More than 5,000 Ford Motor Company employees are joining community service projects in 34 countries this month to make people’s lives better during Ford Global Caring Month, the signature annual event of the Ford Volunteer Corps.
Examples of the work include a project in the Philippines to construct a communal water facility in two villages. Currently, some residents travel one hour each day for water because their homes lack a piped-in supply. The volunteers will clear the ground, bring in construction materials, lay the necessary blocks and tiles and install a concrete floor.
In Brazil, Ford volunteers will help setup a mother’s workshop to train women to earn income as seamstresses and start their own businesses. Such projects provide employees a way to combine their personal interest in community service with their careers.
“This is an opportunity for professional and personal growth,” said Emanuela Silva, analyst, Ford Human Resources in Brazil. “I have always been involved with volunteer work, and it is great to work at a company where a life goal of helping others is fulfilled through company initiatives.”
‘Ford volunteers play a vital role in demonstrating Ford’s commitment to become the world’s most trusted company.’
In Germany, Ford employees will continue a project to help care for refugee children. By actively supporting refugee integration in the Cologne area, volunteers will introduce a sports program for children who are disadvantaged or living in refugee homes to help them make friends and build confidence. In the United Arab Emirates Ford volunteers will build toys for homeless refugee children.
“The handmade toys from Ford employees will be sent to the children to put a smile on their face and not lose hope of a better future.” said Zeek Ainabe, Ford volunteer, Government and Community Relations, UAE. “Ford Global Caring Month is a great opportunity for employees to come together and work as a team to serve humanity for its greater good.”
In Mexico, 250 Ford volunteers are building a dining room and playground at a home for homeless and abused children. The project will take place over four days and provide the kids with a pleasant, protective environment to restore their physical and emotional well-being, resume their schooling and play with other children.
“I love helping people,” said Berenice Perez Aguilar, Ford volunteer and Communications Coach, Ford of Mexico. “For me, it is important that we multiply our efforts and make these children have a better education, life and social quality.”
These are just a few of more than 500 Ford Volunteer Corps activities taking place around the world this month. Additional projects include:
- Australia – Paint, garden at senior home, update dining area at camp for homeless kids
- China – Kids from low-income families make model cars, spend day with Ford volunteers
- India – Empower disadvantaged women with tailoring and garment design training
- Guam – Hospital maintenance and cleanup, remove litter from village streets and bus stops
- Romania – Redecorate playroom, add new beds at hospital pediatric oncology department
- South Africa – Renovate shelters and safe houses for abused women and children
- Spain – Construction, maintenance work at a day care center for children with disabilities
- United Kingdom – Create garden at senior center for residents to share, maintain and enjoy
“Ford volunteers play a vital role in demonstrating Ford’s commitment to become the world’s most trusted company,” said Todd Nissen, director, Ford Volunteer Corps. “We appreciate all they do make the world a better place for everyone.”
Ford employees in at least 10 states across the U.S. will also participate in a wide variety of Ford Global Caring Month activities. The Ford Legal Alliance for Women and more than 70 partner law firms in 30 states will participate in the second Global Service Day on September 26. Projects will also be undertaken in 8 countries as part of the event. In addition, Ford volunteers in Arizona, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania will help feed the hungry. In California, Ford employees will work to save the bay and in Michigan Ford volunteers will make improvements to a community rain garden and train to mentor students, among dozens of projects.
The Ford Volunteer Corps is the heart of a global network that enlists tens of thousands of employees annually. Ford Global Caring Month is the largest concentration of Ford employees performing service work in the community, but Ford volunteers are engaged year round at food banks, care facilities and schools. Since its launch in 2005 by Executive Chairman Bill Ford, the Ford Volunteer Corps has contributed 1.7 million hours of community service in 50 countries, representing nearly $45 million of in-kind community investments.
