Bangkok--Feb 4--Ogilvy Public Relations
Pilot program to kick off in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International in Thailand and Indonesia.
"Rebuilding Lives and Homes" — Ford commits to rebuilding homes for tsunami victims
Ford Motor Company announced today the creation of the Ford Volunteer Corps, an initiative commissioned by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill Ford to help fulfill a core aspect of the "Better World" promise behind the Company's corporate vision of "Great Products. Strong Business. Better World."
The Ford Volunteer Corps will provide an umbrella organization under which Ford employees around the world can volunteer for a wide range of corporate citizenship projects within their communities. It will incorporate some existing volunteer programs and may include partnerships with community organizations.
"I am extremely proud of the way in which Ford Motor Company and its people — both hourly and salaried — commit the time and energy necessary to help our communities in countless ways," said Ford. "The Ford Volunteer Corps will help us to channel and institutionalize that spirit."
The first major project to be implemented by the Volunteer Corps will be working with Habitat For Humanity International (HFHI) to re-build housing and other structures in the areas hardest hit by the tsunami in Asia.
Three pilot projects will begin with Ford's operations in Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Under the theme of "Rebuilding Lives and Homes", Ford has committed to rebuild homes for the displaced and homeless families affected by the tsunami tragedy.
According to Michael J. McCarney, president of Ford ASEAN Operations, "In the aftermath of the tragedy, I am proud that our company has responded in a quick and united manner, to offer our support and assistance to the victims. Ford employees, all around the globe, have contributed generously through our online donation campaign and the company has pledged to match our employee donations. Ford has also donated Ranger pickups and Transit vans/ambulances to aid organizations including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Convoy of Hope."
Ford's relief efforts fall into two phases. The first phase of efforts to provide relief in the form of cash, vehicles, food, clothing, medical supplies, clean water and other immediate needs is close to completion. "Now, we must focus our efforts to help rebuild these communities," emphasized McCarney.
"Ford has identified HFHI as our long-term partner, sharing in the common goal of "Rebuilding Lives and Homes". Ford has partnered successfully with HFHI in several projects in the United States and we are pleased to extend this partnership into the Asian region."
"Our employees welcome this initiative to establish the Ford Volunteer Corps as they are keen to volunteer their time and energy. Under the leadership of Jim Bright, the newly appointed executive director, office of the chief-of-staff, we are confident that the results from our pilot programs in Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, will inspire similar projects across Ford worldwide," added McCarney.
Steve Weir, vice president of Habitat for Humanity International for Asia Pacific, said, "We are delighted with this opportunity to partner with Ford and Ford employees to help survivors of the December tsunami. In the next two years, Habitat for Humanity plans to help some 25,000 affected families move out of temporary shelter and back into decent, permanent housing.
“We will help families build new homes — mainly “core” dwellings comprising one or two rooms with a proper roof and floor, and room to expand at a later date. To help achieve this, and to reach out to more people, more quickly, we are establishing a network of building and training centers staffed by engineers, architects and site supervisors as well as specialists in managing volunteers, to assist families and others with the technical expertise to building their own homes."
"With the support of Ford and members of the Ford Volunteer Corps, we will get the job done more quickly,” said Weir, adding “Like Ford, a key to Habitat’s success in the Asia-Pacific region has been to engage fully with local communities, observing local cultures and customs, and respecting people from all faiths and backgrounds.”
Habitat for Humanity International has established a wide footprint in the Asia Pacific region, operating in thirty countries and territories. Habitat began working in the region in 1983 with a pilot program in India. The organization has built, renovated and repaired more than 27,000 homes since then, and benefited some 135,000 people around the region (www.hfhap.org and www.habitat.org).
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 327,000 employees worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Quality Care and Hertz. Ford Motor Company celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 16, 2003. End.