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Ford Tops United Way National Contributor List

2 November 1998

Ford Tops United Way National Contributor List

    DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 30 -- Ford Motor Company and
its employees pledged more than $15 million to the 1998 United Way Community
Services campaign in Southeastern Michigan, Jim O'Connor announced at the
United Way report luncheon today.
    O'Connor, Ford Motor Company vice president and president of
Ford Division and co-chair of the 1998 Ford Employee United Way Community
Services campaign, said this year's commitment again represents the single
largest pledge to any United Way in the nation.
    "It's through the generosity of Ford employees -- both hourly and salaried
-- that the people in our community receive a helping hand," said O'Connor.
"This has been a real Ford team effort."
    Ford's contribution consists of employee and dealer pledges of
$12,981,025, and a corporate gift of $2,090,000.
    This is the 18th consecutive year Ford and its employees have pledged more
money to a single United Way than any other local company.  In the 50 years
Ford has participated in the annual United Way drive, employees and the
company have contributed more than $345 million to the southeastern Michigan
campaign.
    "Even after 50 years, through decades of change -- some triumphant, some
challenging -- the United Way remains the best way to help the most people,"
said Ed Hagenlocker, vice chairman, Ford Motor Company and general chair of
the 1998 Torch Drive.  "We're perpetuating and strengthening the greatest
collaborative effort to help people in our community today."