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United Way Gives Donation for Ford Rouge Victims

15 February 1999

United Way Gives Donation for Ford Rouge Victims

    DETROIT, Feb. 12 -- United Way has designated a special
contribution of $25,000 to the UAW Local 600 Crisis Fund to help the victims
of and the families affected by the Ford Rouge Plant explosion.  The donation
was presented to Jerry Sullivan, president of UAW Local 600, earlier today by
Virgil H. Carr, president and CEO of United Way Community Services, and United
Way's Labor Liaisons Ed Ptasznik, Jr. and Ray West.
    This special donation, unanimously approved by United Way's Executive
Committee, is being designated from United Way's Emergency and Stabilization
Fund, which provides funding in times of extraordinary circumstances, such as
the tragedy of the Ford Rouge Plant explosion.
    "For the past 50 years, United Way has had a special bond with Ford Motor
Company and the United Auto Workers," said Carr.  "In recognition of this
special partnership and the generosity demonstrated to United Way by Ford
Motor Company's corporate leaders, staff and members of organized labor, we
present this gift of $25,000 with our heartfelt concern for the victims of
this tragic event and their families."
    "United Way has long recognized the true partnership we have in organized
labor and the integral part that labor plays in carrying out the United Way
mission," said Ptasznik.  "I am very proud and pleased that United Way has
made this significant contribution to help the families of the UAW Local 600
workers in their time of need."
    In addition to this contribution, selected United Way staff members and
United Way-supported agencies such as the American Red Cross, have been
actively involved at UAW Local 600 showing support to those affected by this
tragedy.