Ford Motor Company and Northern California Ford Dealers Donate $25,000 to Aid Recovery of San Bruno

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Sep 30, 2010, 02:21 ET

DEALERS PRESENT check to support silicon valley community foundation's san bruno fire fund

SAN BRUNO, Calif., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Representatives of Ford Motor Company and its Northern California dealers presented Silicon Valley Community Foundation's San Bruno Fire Fund with a $25,000 check today to help aid the victims of the September 9 gas explosion.

The Northern California Ford Dealers and the Ford Motor Company Fund are jointly contributing $25,000 to help the aftermath of the horrific gas explosion and fire that took place in San Bruno earlier this month. Silicon Valley Community Foundation will determine which nonprofits will benefit from the fund and will allocate 100 percent of the donations to aid the affected area and victims.

The Northern California Ford Dealers who have contributed consist of 80 Ford dealers across the Bay Area and from the Central Valley to Sacramento north to the Oregon border.

Ford Motor Company is the only automaker to date to donate to this cause. San Francisco Regional Sales, Marketing and Service Manager Mark Wexler says contributing funds to the San Bruno recovery was a simple decision for Ford Motor Company.

"We are all part of the same community and it's important to help each other in times of need," Wexler said. "Our dealers, along with the Ford Fund are a part of this community and it's our mission to help our neighbors."

Wexler says that Ford Motor Company is also offering a special offer of $750 toward the purchase of new Ford vehicles for residents of the affected area.

"We are so grateful to Ford Motor Company and the dealers in Northern California for this generous donation," said Mari Ellen Loijens, chief philanthropic development and information officer at the community foundation. "This contribution shows what happens when we come together as a caring community."

To date, more than $400,000 has been pledged for the Silicon Valley Community Foundation's San Bruno Fire Fund.

About Ford Motor Company and Community Services

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is focused on building community through partnerships that promote education, driving safety and quality of life in communities where Ford operates. Established in 1949, and made possible by funding from Ford Motor Company, the Fund's programs include Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which provides high school students with academically rigorous 21st century learning experiences, and Ford Driving Skills for Life, a

teen-focused safe driving initiative. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, Ford employees and retirees participate in a wide range of volunteer projects in their communities. For more information, visit www.community.ford.com.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 159,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company