Spirit of Detroit Joins Ford Volunteer Corps, Dresses in Ford Blue to Celebrate 10 Years of Building Stronger Communities

Ford Motor Company Fund has enlisted the iconic Spirit of Detroit sculpture to help celebrate 10 years of the Ford Volunteer Corps and symbolize Ford’s continuing commitment to the city.

The famed 26-foot bronze work of art is today dressed in a blue T-shirt like the one worn by Ford volunteers during more than 8,000 community service projects in Detroit since 2005. Ford employees volunteer year round on a wide range of community service projects that help build homes, feed the hungry, assist veterans in need and teach children to read.

“The Spirit of Detroit embodies the can-do spirit of a great American city and is a source of inspiration for the people of southeast Michigan,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “We’re honored to see this iconic Detroit symbol wearing the Ford Volunteer Corps T-shirt like the Ford employees who strengthen our community and create a better world.”

Ford Motor Company played a defining role in Detroit’s emergence as the Motor City and continues to invest in programs that advance the city’s economic rebound and prospects for future success. Ford and its philanthropic arm, Ford Motor Company Fund, have invested nearly $200 million in southeast Michigan over the past 10 years, including support for education through Blue Oval scholar programs, Driving Skills for Life safety courses and enduring community traditions such as the Ford Fireworks and America’s Thanksgiving Parade.

Ford this year is again a prominent supporter of America’s Thanksgiving Parade. Under the theme “Innovation through Performance,” Ford’s presence includes: a 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and Focus RS as the lead vehicles in the parade; more than 40 F-150 full-size pickup trucks and other vehicles pulling parade floats and carrying VIPs; as well as Ford’s float, which will mark 10 years of the Ford Volunteer Corps and spotlight the future performance vehicles Ford GT and Focus RS.

In recent years Ford’s contributions to improving lives in the Detroit area also include:

• A fleet of 18 Ford Mobile Food Pantries at local food banks that are used to collect and distribute food, and have delivered millions of meals.
• Ford Resource and Engagement Center in southwest Detroit, a unique community gathering place where neighbors can receive essential services from tax help to food for their families.
• Ford Blue Oval Scholarships, Ford STEAM Lab and Ford Freedom Award offer educational opportunities for students to pursue a college degree and reach their full career potential.
• Support for local arts and cultural institutions, such as Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Opera Theater, Charles H. Wright African American History Museum and Michigan Science Center.

The Ford Volunteer Corps was formed in 2005 by Executive Chairman Bill Ford in response to the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami and two hurricanes in the United States. While volunteerism has always been an integral part of Ford Motor Company, creation of the Ford Volunteer Corps unified and expanded the company’s extensive global network of volunteer and community service activities.

Since the Ford Volunteer Corps was founded, more than 250,000 volunteer participants have worked on nearly 11,000 projects in 48 countries, providing more than one million hours of service.

The Ford Volunteer Corps shirt will be on the Spirit of Detroit until Nov. 30.

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community and global partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 65 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. Ford Driving Skills for Life is free, interactive, hands-on safety training focused on skill development and driving techniques, while addressing inexperience, distractions and impaired driving. Innovation in education is encouraged through Ford Blue Oval Scholars, Ford Next Generation Learning and other inspiring programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. The Ford Volunteer Corps enlists more than 30,000 Ford employees and retirees each year to work on local projects that strengthen their communities and improve people’s lives in more than 40 countries around the world. For more information, visit http://community.ford.com.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 197,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.

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