Double Your Impact: Ford Philanthropy's Hurricane Relief Donation Challenge

Oct 07, 2024
3 MIN READ
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At Ford, we're always ready to show up when it counts, when communities need us ​most, in good times and bad, and we're committed to helping those affected by natural disasters rebuild their lives.

Double Your Impact: Ford Philanthropy is launching a matching donation challenge! For every dollar you donate to Team Rubicon, the American Red Cross, or Feeding America, Ford Philanthropy will match it, up to $100,000 per organization. That's a potential $600,000 boost to relief efforts!

DONATE NOW:

American Red Cross

Feeding America

Team Rubicon

At this time, we are hearing from partners on the ground that monetary donations to trusted nonprofits are best. While well intended, due to the lack of infrastructure physical donations such as clothes and water are ending up clogging the supply chain and making it difficult for emergency personnel.

+Ford Volunteers Join Team Rubicon's Mission to Aid Hurricane Helene Recovery

“It’s hard to put into words the impact of connecting with volunteers from across the country for a full week, coming together for the same mission to help a community rebuild,” says Kyle Green, Volunteer Specialist at Ford Philanthropy, who deployed with Team Rubicon in Asheville, North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

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Since September, when Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic flooding and wind damage across the Southeast, 19 Ford employees have volunteered as part of Ford Philanthropy’s continued partnership with Team Rubicon. For his deployment as a Team Rubicon Greyshirt, Kyle helped to restore the living spaces at the local Veterans Restoration Quarters (VRQ), where over five feet of floodwater destroyed the living spaces and belongings of 167 veterans.

Building Connections Through Service

On the third day of deployment, Kyle and his team drove around a washed-out bridge to meet with the veterans they were supporting. The conversations went beyond the storm, focusing on the veterans’ service, life experiences, and what brought them to Asheville. “Hearing their stories made us get up a little earlier and work a little harder the next morning,” Kyle said.

Deploying with Team Rubicon provides a unique perspective on the impact of volunteer service. "Being immersed in somebody’s worst day makes you take a step back and better understand the people who are impacted and the role you play as a volunteer," added Kyle. As a civilian, Kyle emphasized how Team Rubicon’s vision, rooted in action, inspires volunteers to jump in and make a difference.

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Ford Volunteer Corps and our people leaders make it easy for employees to join Team Rubicon and support other nonprofits through the Extended Volunteer Time Off Policy and the DEED volunteer platform. Learn more about our partnership with Team Rubicon and how you can volunteer your time to support ongoing disaster recovery efforts by reaching out to volunteer@ford.com.

Rebuilding Together: Driving Hope and Recovery Following Hurricane Helene

Immediately following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which tore across the Southeastern U.S. this fall, five Ford dealers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida stepped up to join Team Rubicon, Ford Philanthropy's longtime disaster relief partner. Some dealers provided their facilities as a home base to clean and sanitize vehicles and equipment, while others sent staff to volunteer, helping clear rural roads and homes that had yet to be touched.

Right after the storm hit the Asheville area, J.W. Whitley, Dealer Operator of Parks Ford Hendersonville, and his 92 employees turned their store into a support hub. The showroom became "supply central" with canned goods, diapers, toiletries, hot showers and a warm place to rest. J.W.'s dedication extended beyond the dealership, as he personally drove his F-350 to and from Charlotte, gathering whatever was needed — medicine, water, generators, chainsaws, and 200 gallons of gasoline.

"I personally was there every single day, and that doesn't even speak to what my employees were experiencing day in and day out," J.W. stated. "Helping their neighbors, relatives, and complete strangers on top of taking care of their own families in their own situations. It was really great to see our store as a whole not only just survive, but thrive and be able to help the community during a time of need."

With debris cleared, more emergency and relief agencies began to mobilize. Speaking with community members, some told J.W. that Team Rubicon was the first organization they’d seen in the aftermath of the hurricane.

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Parks Ford Hendersonville staff volunteer with Team Rubicon.

When asked about the impact he witnessed when joining Team Rubicon and Ford, he said, "The organization (Team Rubicon) has such a plan and an understanding on how to implement it, it's really exciting to see that. The alignment between Parks Automotive Group and Team Rubicon powered by Ford is just incredible."

Rebuilding Western North Carolina communities following Hurricane Helene will  take time. Through programs like Parks Community Heroes, the team at Parks Ford Hendersonville will continue to find ways to support those in need.

"It's our duty and we have this beautiful opportunity to help pave the path for our young ones these days and show them what it means to be a servant to the community," J.W. said.

In the wake of the hurricanes, many Ford dealers across the Southeastern U.S. supported their local communities. Ford Global Dealer Engagement and Ford Philanthropy want to recognize the following dealers for their support of Team Rubicon: Parks Ford Hendersonville, Firmin Ford, Ford of Port Richey, Sarasota Ford and Bill Currie Ford. Additionally, 17 vehicles were loaned to Team Rubicon supplied by: Parks Ford Wesley Chapel, JC Lewis Ford Pooler, Jim Hudson Ford and Woody Folsom Ford.