Ford Motor Company, Its Employees And Dealers Donate More Than $1.2 Million To Kentucky Nonprofits In 2012

FRANKFORT, Ky., Sept. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 

• Ford and its employees donating more than $1.2 million to nonprofit organizations in the Louisville and Lexington areas this year
• Ford-related donations to Louisville and Lexington area nonprofits since 2000 top $10 million
• Donations are targeted to organizations supporting children and education, veterans, health, hunger relief and tornado disaster relief

Ford today announced that the company, its employees and dealers are donating more than $1.2 million to nonprofits in the Louisville and Lexington areas this year.

As part of its new Operation Goodwill partnership with area Ford and Lincoln dealers as well as employees at its Kentucky Truck and Louisville Assembly plants, Ford is focusing its philanthropic efforts on areas of greatest concern to Louisville- and Lexington-area residents. These issues include children's welfare and education, veterans, health, hunger relief and tornado disaster relief. 

" Louisville is known both for producing great Ford products – and for being a city of compassion," said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. " Ford has always been a generous partner to Louisville, and we're delighted that it's expanding its philanthropic role in both Louisville and Lexington."

Said Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, "In working with Ford on the BEAM initiative, we've gotten to see firsthand the company's commitment to Kentucky's future and Kentucky families. Ford is world-class. Whether it is manufacturing cars or building communities, the company knows how to bring resources together to make Kentucky a better place."

Community donations from Ford and its employees and dealers this year include:

• More than $500,000 to United Way
• $76,000 to Louisville Zoo
• $75,000 to American Red Cross for local tornado relief
• $28,500 to Dare to Care Food Bank
• $50,000 total to Lexington nonprofits including Hope Center and Habitat for Humanity

" Ford is committed to making a difference within our communities," said Jay Morgan, Ford Governmental Affairs manager. "We listen to our customers and neighbors, and we know they're concerned about keeping people safe and healthy."

Through its two Louisville manufacturing operations and employees and through the Operation Goodwill partnership between Ford Motor Company Fund and area Ford and Lincoln dealerships, Ford expects to contribute approximately $2.5 million to organizations in the greater Louisville and Lexington areas during 2011 and 2012 combined.  

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. The Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F). The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through national programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in more than 20 countries. For more information, visit http://community.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company

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