Ford Volunteers Focus on Children in Launch of New MODEL Teams Concept

WHAT:
Dozens of Ford MODEL Teams, representing hundreds of employees, are volunteering their time to participate in community projects as part of the Ford Volunteer Corps' first Accelerated Action Day. Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, will join Ford volunteers at the locations below.

WHEN/WHERE:
10:15 a.m., Cass Community Social Services (11850 Woodrow Wilson - Detroit): Ford volunteers will clean and paint a building that will become a shelter for homeless women and their children.

11:30 a.m., Starfish Family Services (30000 Hively - Inkster): Using paint and imagination, Ford volunteers will transform the gym into a bright activities center.

1:00 p.m., Vista Maria (20651 W. Warren - Dearborn Heights): Volunteers will paint; complete previous renovations. In total, Ford volunteers will be working at 11 different locations throughout the day around Metro Detroit. A complete list is available upon request.

SUMMARY:
The Ford Volunteer Corps is implementing a new, first-ever program designed to take volunteering to a new level. It's called MODEL Teams and targets four theme areas on four days (one per quarter) each year. On Thursday, volunteer efforts will focus on organizations that help children. The Volunteer Corps works closely with nonprofit (501 C-3) organizations, who select projects that they need help completing. Ford employees volunteer to work on those projects, which includes everything from cleaning and painting to creating an art gallery at a local site.