Ford Accelerated Action Days: Ford Volunteers Help the Environment and the Community

Rob Gillignham
July 13, 2010

Manufacturing new cars and trucks is not the only thing Ford makes; they are also neck deep in mud, sweat, sustainability and volunteerism. What exactly are the dirty dealings that Ford has its hands and feet in, you ask?

It's called Ford Accelerated Action Days and one of the more notable initiatives that an automotive company has done to improve a metropolitan's environment and water conservation as well as helping community organizations. The Ford Volunteer Corps were en masse on May 14, 2010 as volunteers in three dozen locations helped turn industrial eye-sores into beautiful nature trails, gardens and rehabilitate a wildlife refuge in Detroit, Michigan and other areas. Volunteers also created systems for water conservation with installation of rain collection and storm water filtering systems.

The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge made immense strides in establishing a refuge from Dearborn to the Ohio state line and could not have done it without the help of the Ford Motor Group. Ford supports several efforts in sustainability and environmental initiatives not only in their vehicles, but also within their manufacturing plants by reducing water usage and they continue to seek other ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

However, May 14, was only the second of five Accelerated Action Days. Each action day has a different focus. For example Ford volunteers worked on helping the homeless in the greater Detroit area as well as donating supplies to help Haiti. It doesn't matter whether it's a wealthy area or a poor country, Ford's Action Days meets the needs of its community as well as those across the world.

March 4, 2010, was an earmark for helping families and children in need both in Detroit and through the World Medical Relief fund for Haiti's families. Volunteers collected personal hygiene items, packed them in kits delivered them to the places that needed them the most in Southeastern Michigan. More volunteers put together needed medical supplies for the victims of Haiti's devastating earthquake that occurred on January 12, 2010. Many organizations are collecting and donating supplies and food, and Ford wanted its employees, 200 of them in fact, to take part in the volunteering as well.

The Ford Motor Group encourages its employees to volunteer two work days every year and give back to their local community. In 2008, over 20,000 salaried employees as well as retirees volunteered 100,000 hours on community service projects, which was equal to $2 million of corporate contributions. In 2009 at one of the Ford's action days, Ford volunteers helped brighten lives at veterans facilities in Southeast Michigan by repairing and painting various areas. Jim Vella, President of Ford Motor Company Fund said, "Ford Motor Company has always been a strong supporter of America's armed forces and the people who serve…"

Notably, the following received mini-grants of $5,000 from Ford in 2009 to buy supplies to complete the needed projects:

* Gleaners Community Food Bank in Detroit – volunteers will put together food packs for needy veterans.

* VA Hospital of Ann Arbor – Ford volunteers serve meals to veterans and their families on Veteran's Day as well as distribute duffle bags to veterans for their belongings.

* VA Hospital of Detroit – volunteer teams serve meals to veterans and families during Veteran's Day activities and also assist with in-house patient transportation. Other funds will help buy holiday decorations.

The next Ford Accelerated Action Day is coming up in just a couple of months, September 10, 2010. The theme is "Community Building" and will coincide with Ford's Global Week of Caring, which is a week dedicated to helping people across six continents to volunteer in a wide range of activities. The Action Day in November will focus on helping veterans and military families, and the fifth community volunteer day will occur in December to assist feeding the hungry.

AUTHOR BIO: Rob Gillingham is the President and owner of Bob Gillingham Ford, located in Parma, Ohio, which sells a variety of