Cynthia and Edsel Ford Give $500,000 to Salvation Army for Hurricane Relief

DETROIT, Sept. 8 -- Cynthia and Edsel B. Ford II, the chairman of The Salvation Army's National Advisory Board, have donated $500,000 to the organization to assist with its Hurricane Katrina response.

Mr. and Mrs. Ford join several other prominent families who have provided donations for emergency response to the Army, which has collected more than $50 million from on-line, and corporate donations, as well as donations to its 1-800-SALARMY number.

"At a time of unprecedented need for relief to so many people affected by this tragedy, I know from my long association with The Salvation Army that this contribution will be well-used by an organization uniquely suited to respond to the needs of the disaster survivors across the country," said Mr. Ford, whose gift will be made through the Henry Ford II Fund, a Michigan-based charitable foundation begun by Mr. Ford's father, Henry Ford II, for his family to make these types of gifts.

Commissioner W. Todd Bassett, national commander of The Salvation Army, said, "Mr. Ford's gift is indicative of the type of leadership he has demonstrated as chairman of our Advisory Board. Our work throughout the South and the entire country has barely begun to help people affected by this tragedy, and the Ford's donation will help ensure that we have the necessary resources available to us."

About The Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/.