Happy Holidays from Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids!
Borgman Ford would like to wish all of our readers in Grand Rapids and West Michigan a very happy holiday with friends and family! In keeping with the spirit of the season, we'd like everyone to think of those less fortunate and consider some ways you could help.
That's exactly what Ford did in Puerto Rico recently, where many communities are still without power or necessities by the Category Five hurricane swept the area in September. Ford sought to help with the disaster relief in a unique way: by funding college educational grants for community building, vehicle donations of Transit Connect cargo vans and an F-150, water filters and 10,000 new books! This article from the Official Ford Media Center tells more, here are some excerpts:
Ford Expands Disaster Relief Efforts In Puerto Rico; Invests More Than $1.2 Million For Food And Community Aid
Ford Motor Company Fund is investing more than $1.2 million for expanded disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico and spearheading a collaboration with nonprofits to bring much-needed vehicles, supplies and services to hurricane-devastated communities on the island.
Organized as a multiyear social mobility program, the Ford-led Centro de Movilidad Social will connect children and families with a range of services – from basic needs such as food, water, clothing and transportation, to longer-term recovery assistance through educational grants and job skills development.
“This effort is at the heart of Ford Fund’s mission to provide opportunities and access for people in need,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund – the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company. “Centro de Movilidad Social allows us to expand our ongoing efforts to help rebuild the lives of thousands of Puerto Ricans following Hurricane Maria.”
The program begins this month at Centros Sor Isolina Ferré in Ponce, where families can access food, water and other basic necessities, learn new skills, and engage with their community members in recovery efforts.
Ford is donating three immediate-response vehicles – two Transit Connect cargo vans and an F-150 – to travel across the island as pop-up mobile resource centers helping The Salvation Army and Red Cross Puerto Rico deliver food, water, clothing, shoes, medical assistance and educational resources to people in need. Ford’s investment includes 10,000 new books for students, plus water filters complete with guidance on how to clean water for use at home.
In 2018, Centro de Movilidad Social will expand to provide multiple temporary, community centers across the island. Additional educational and technology resources are in development to further assist with long-term and strategic recovery efforts.
You can read more by visiting Media.Ford.com.
Spread Some Holiday Cheer Of Your Own In West Michigan or Abroad
If you're looking for ways to spread holiday cheer this holiday or throughout 2018, Borgman Ford has put together some links below to help. First, if you'd like to learn more about Ford Motor Company's community outreach, visit Corporate.Ford.com to check out their volunteer corp and see some of their most recent accomplishments. If you'd like to chip in for the victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, PBS.org has outlined how you can best help them in an article here.
We saw an excellent turnout for our Marine Toys For Tots toy drive this year, and even got to ride along with them on a pickup run! If you'd like to help out for next year, you can reach out to them at Grand-Rapids-MI.ToysForTots.org. Another local organization that we've worked with and trust is LoveINC. You can read more about their mission and get involved by visiting their website.
Once again, from all of us at Borgman, we'd like to wish you and yours a very Happy Holidays and safe travels! We hope to see you soon!
