With COVID-19 keeping people at home and putting many more out of work while nonessential businesses are closed, Ford Motor Company this week announced two ways their employees can help give back amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In conjunction with the Ford Fund and Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford, the COVID-19 Donation Match program will match $500,000 in donations to designated community organizations who are in the fight against the coronavirus.
Secondly, the Ford Fund is also launching a new "Read and Record" virtual volunteering project that will allow Ford employees contribute to an online library by reading children's books for the 1.3 billion children and youth who have been affected by school closing around the world.
“During trying times, Ford employees are used to being the boots on the ground – getting out, signing up and pitching in to help make a difference,” said Mary Culler, president, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Even now, while many are sheltering in place at home, our employees are looking for ways to help. These two new programs offer meaningful ways for employees to give back and join in the fight against COVID-19.”
The $500,000 in matching funds include contributions from Ford Fund and Bill Ford personally and represent the strong commitment of both Ford’s philanthropic group and Bill Ford, who started the Ford Volunteer Corps 15 years ago and continues to champion the importance of volunteering and giving back, a news release from the company stated.
Anyone who wishes to donate, can visit www.globalgiving.org/ford-covid-response to view a full list of participating countries as well as cities across the United States, and to learn more about community projects they can support.
Ford has also compiled a list of COVID-19 related volunteer opportunities and a library of free online resources offered by many of its community partners at www.fordfund.org/covid19. There, you can find activities like virtual tours, downloadable worksheets, online tutorials, videos and more – all designed to help entertain, educate or inspire people of all ages.
Not only is Ford offering these great opportunities for employees and others to help during this difficult time, Ford engineers, researchers and suppliers are designing and manufacturing masks, respirators, ventilators and other critical medical equipment and supplies for healthcare workers, first responders and patients fighting COVID-19.
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