Ford in India on September 4, 2010 kick started the 5th Annual Ford Global Week of Caring with great enthusiasm and saw over 1000 volunteers from all three Ford entities in India – Ford India, Ford Business Services Center (FBSC) and Ford Technology Services (FTSI) coming together to plant 1500 saplings on the GST Road in Chengalpettu, the theme for this year’s annual “Go Green”.
The 5th Annual Ford Global Week of Caring will be observed across Ford Motor Company from 4th to 9thSeptember, whereby Ford volunteers across the world reach out to address specific needs in their local communities.
This year, Ford employees and volunteers in India will be organizing a series of community service activities throughout the week with an effort to address special needs of people from the local communities in and around Chennai’s manufacturing facility.
Seven unique activities are being conducted during the week and will see hundreds and thousands of volunteers participating in activities such as tree planting, conducting safe and economic driving workshops, TB screening camps, painting competition and book donation.
“Like every year, we look forward to this week with great excitement and a commitment from Ford India to make a difference in the lives of the people we care for. We believe that good corporate citizenship has been a part of our legacy and will continue to be an important part of our future,” said Michael Boneham, president and managing director , Ford India.
On September 4, the inaugural event started with a big bang and saw close to one thousand volunteers planting tress on national highway close to the manufacturing facility.
On September 5, some of the volunteers will be taking a group of HIV affected children to the Vandalur Zoo for a fun trip, while other will be part of road safety event where 100 Chennai Traffic Police will be trained on Ford’s Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program.
On September 6, Ford India will be inaugurating a library at the Maraimalai Nagar’s Government Secondary school, books donated by Ford India employees identified to meet the needs’ of the students. The following day more 300 school students from the Government High Schools in Thirukachur, Paramanur and Maraimalai Nagar will bring alive the “Go Green” theme through their paintings in a painting competition on September 7. During the week Ford India will donate over 2000 books, 1000 bags and 1000 writing kits for the students of S.P Koil School and Keelkarnai School.
The GWC activities will conclude with a TB and lung screening camp conducted at the Thirkachur Government High and Sanjeevi Medical Centre, the decade old primary health care (PHC) centre set up by Ford India to cater to the healthcare needs of surrounding communities.
During the week employees will be contributing funds to be donated to CII towards the relief efforts to rehabilitate those affected by the destructive cloud burst last month in Leh.
“Beyond the automotive business, we are also dedicated to doing our part to build a better world by helping to improve people’s lives, in the community where we work and live. Our employees have always supported the community with great energy and enthusiasm,” added Mr. Boneham.
Ford India has been training its employees and the select groups through its Driving Skills for Life program which raises awareness on road safety, fuel efficient and environment friendly driving. This year Ford plans to reach out student groups across various colleges in the country in an effort to make them better and safer drivers. Ford also conducting training for its customers under the same program through various workshops at MPL Ford in Chennai.
