Rochester-Area Ford Dealers Celebrate Ford's Centennial By Donating Vans to the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester And the Hickok Center for Brain Injury

  WHO:    Mayor William A. Johnson, Jr.
          Joe Castelli, Director, Commercial Truck Sales and Marketing,
           Ford Motor Company
          Dan Edwards, representing the Rochester area Ford Dealers
          Dwayne Mahoney, executive director, Boys and Girls Club
           of Rochester, Inc.
          Nancy Peers, executive director, Hickok Center for Brain Injury,
           Inc.
          Joe Quaranto, president, Rochester Shelby Mustang Club

WHAT/WHY: Charitable giving has been a part of the history of Ford Motor Company throughout its 100 years in business. In keeping with that tradition, Rochester-area Ford dealers will donate two new 2003 Ford Econoline vans, one each to the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester and the Hickok Center for Brain Injury. Also on display will be vintage Mustangs, courtesy of the Rochester Shelby Mustang Club.

The brief ceremony will include remarks, the presentation of the vans, and the cutting of a Ford Centennial cake, complete with the singing of "Happy Birthday."

  WHERE:   Front steps of Rochester City Hall, 30 Church Street

  WHEN:    Friday, June 6, 2003
           10:00 a.m.

Ford Friendship Express is a philanthropic initiative of the Rochester area Ford Dealers. The Dealers are part of the Western New York Ford Stores, an advertising cooperative comprised of 49 dealer locations throughout the 13 counties of Western New York and two counties in Northern Pennsylvania.

Ford Motor Company is the world's second-largest automaker with approximately 350,000 employees and operations in more than 200 markets on six continents. Its automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Hertz and Quality Care. The company's world headquarters is in Dearborn, Mich. Ford Motor Company will officially observe its 100th anniversary on June 16, 2003. Additional information can be found on the company's Web site at www.ford.com .

Boys and Girls Club of Rochester is dedicated to inspiring and enabling all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. The club serves more than 1,600 members from ages 6-18 who participate in programs, which include year-round sports, leadership groups, and social and cultural events.

Hickok Center for Brain Injury, Inc. provides social, recreational and pre-vocational services for adult survivors of brain injury in a clubhouse setting. The center, which allows members to select and participate in activities that enhance and support their full potential, is only one of eight such programs in the world.

PRNewswire -- June 2