Ford Launches Model Teams Of Employees

Ford Motor Company announced today a new philanthropic program that mobilizes employees to volunteer on teams to tackle community related issues. These MODEL Teams, as they will be called, reflect Ford’s legacy as the company prepares for the 100th anniversary of the Model T in 2008.

“All of us at Ford consider corporate citizenship a key part of who we are as a business. Through financial support, combined with Ford employees’ volunteer efforts, we will make a difference in communities across the country,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “The launch of MODEL Teams underscores our commitment to meet the changing needs of the communities we do business in, and respond to opportunities for volunteerism and leadership.”

MODEL Teams will serve as the Ford Volunteer Corps’ vehicle to deliver employee volunteers to communities in need. Ford Volunteer Corps recruits employees and retirees to join community-engaging volunteer teams, including those related to human services, education, disaster preparedness, relief and recovery, environment and more. MODEL Teams help build company pride, teamwork and camaraderie.

To kick off the new MODEL Teams program, Vella announced the first partnership with a non-profit organization aimed at focusing the company’s efforts in key areas aligned with the Ford Motor Company Fund. He presented Charles Hiteshew, COO, of America’s Promise a $50,000 check in support of their programs dedicated to the well-being of children and youth.

“The Ford Motor Company has again stepped into the role of trailblazer with the creation of this new volunteer program and we are honored that they have chosen America’s Promise Alliance as the vehicle from which to deliver this service to our communities,” said Marguerite W. Kondracke, president and CEO of America’s Promise Alliance.


Also as part of today’s launch, an environmental MODEL Team comprised of Ford Motor Company employees and retirees, along with local Dearborn and Wayne County residents and workers, helped clean up and beautify the Rouge River. More than 400 people participated as part of a corporate community service program offered through the company. The effort is in its ninth consecutive year.

The Rouge River Cleanup efforts began at Dearborn’s Ford Field city park, and included additional locations including the Henry Ford Estate, U of M Dearborn, Holliday Nature Preserve, Hines Park, Nankin Mills, Bryant Elementary School, Howard Elementary School, DCMST School, Neinas Elementary School, Dynamite Park and the Henry Ford.

“Our employees do a terrific job of volunteering to work on all kinds of community related projects and issues and they are making a real difference in the lives of thousands of people all over the country,” Vella added. “This initiative allows us to provide them with focused opportunities to work on defined projects with measurable results and with financial support from the Ford Motor Company Fund. This is a very powerful combination.”

One of the goals that Ford Motor Company and Community Services has set for the new MODEL Teams program is to have 100 MODEL Teams actively working in the community by October 2008 -- the 100th anniversary of the Ford Model T, the first affordable automobile and the car that “put America on wheels.”