Bangkok--Jul 19--Ogilvy Public Relations
Ford Thailand has made impressive progress in the first phase of its Ford Volunteer Corps’ “Rebuilding Lives and Homes” project initiated to help families in Khao Lak, Phang Nga province who were displaced as a result of the tsunami disaster.
Mr. John V. Felice, President of Ford Thailand, said, “The Ford Volunteer Corps is global initiative inspired by The Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Company, Bill Ford’s vision to create a Better World. I’m proud to say that Ford in Thailand started the first Volunteer Corps chapter as an immediate response to the thousands of families affected by the tsunami tragedy.
Ford Motor Company has partnered with Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) this year to in implement the “Rebuilding Lives and Homes” project in order to build housing across the hardest hit disaster locations in Asia. In addition to Thailand, Ford is also partnering on home rebuilding programs in Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
“Since we kicked off this program in March 2005, over the 12 consecutive weeks it has been running, a total of 241 Ford volunteers, have been down to Khao Lak—that’s all levels of employees, working side-by-side, irrespective of position or rank. We also recruited volunteers from Ford Motor Company’s affiliates beyond Ford Thailand, AutoAlliance Thailand, Ford Credit, Volvo, Land Rover as well as our dealers and suppliers. In addition to the manhours they’re spending, Ford’s Dealer Council also pledged Bt1.1 million to this fund.”
In the first phase of the program, the volunteers have been working to make roof tiles. Today, 25,000 pieces of roof tiles were made, enough to build more than 25 new houses. The program is transitioning to the second phase, building actual homes, which is scheduled to complete in the next 13 weeks. The program, operated with the expertise of Habitats for Humanity, is an ongoing long term program.
For the actual building process, the Ford Corps volunteers have been working with Tsunami-affected families. This creates a strong bond between Ford volunteers and people in Khao Lak, as well as among the volunteers themselves.
“This is a priceless contribution which you cannot quantify in baht or dollars. It is a donation of “sweat”, hard work and a real “labor of compassion”. The volunteers, including Ford Thailand’s management and myself, have a great experience. Working under the hot sun is tough work but it is a small price compared to the rewards and satisfaction that we all reap from knowing that we have contributed directly to help these families. I am extremely proud of all our volunteers,” said Mr. Felice.
The Ford Volunteer Corps provides an umbrella organization under which Ford employees around the world can volunteer for a wide range of corporate citizenship projects within their communities. It incorporates some existing volunteer programs and may include partnerships with community organizations.
Ford is among the first public organizations that extended assistance to affected people immediately after tsunami struck the region. Ford dealer in affected areas sent out their fleet to help the rescue teams. Ford Thailand donated 4x4 Ford Rangers to Phang Nga Province Administration, two ambulances to the Thai Red Cross, as well as other assistances to Ford customers including cash and donations of vehicles, food, clothing, medical supplies, clean water and other immediate needs. "Rebuilding Lives and Homes" is the second phase of relief, and a long term commitment those families affected. End.