UAW-Ford donates $1.8 million for state-of-the-art baseball field
Company Website:
http://corporate.ford.com/
DETROIT -- (Business Wire)
UAW-Ford today celebrated the opening of a newly remodeled ballpark in
Detroit, dedicated to the late William Clay Ford Sr. The
state-of-the-art field includes renovated pitching and batting cages,
new bleachers, a digitized scoreboard, scenic landscaping, new lighting
and restrooms.
UAW-Ford donated $1.8 million for the project, which is part of an
ongoing partnership with several community organizations, including
Woodbridge Community Youth Center. This joint initiative is
representative of UAW-Ford’s ongoing commitment to helping strengthen
and improve neighborhoods where its members live and work by giving back
to those communities.
“UAW-Ford strongly believes investing in our youth is key to building a
better Detroit and a bright future for generations to come,” said Jimmy
Settles, UAW-Ford vice president. “We share this commitment with the
Ford family to build strong communities. Consequently, we are proud to
invest in the neighborhoods in which our members work and live.”
Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company, accepted the
dedication on behalf of his family. “Dedicating the ballpark to my
father is a great way to honor his memory and carry his legacy forward,”
he said. “My father embodied the spirit of Detroit, and he was committed
to making a difference in the lives of children in this city and beyond.”
“This ball field is an incredible new centerpiece for the Woodbridge
community – drawing visitors and teams both locally and regionally from
across the state to Detroit,” said Mike Wilson, executive director,
Woodbridge Community Youth Center ACTS program. “It has infused an
enormous amount of excitement, fresh conversation and constant traffic.
I believe the facility will motivate and captivate a new generation of
baseball players and enthusiasts throughout our community for many
decades to come.”
Last year, UAW-Ford donated nearly $2 million to renovate Detroit’s
Balduck Park on the city’s east side, an initiative to provide a safe
recreational environment for local youth and communities. Now, UAW-Ford
continues its community improvement efforts to help enhance the quality
of life for residents and members in the Woodbridge neighborhood.
“We are excited to bring a new park into another Detroit neighborhood,”
said Bill Dirksen, vice president, Labor Affairs, Ford Motor Company.
“Just as UAW-Ford did last year with the renovation of UAW-Ford Field at
Balduck Park, we are honored to provide another state-of-the-art
ballpark for members of the Woodbridge community to enjoy.”
UAW-Ford has a long history of giving back. In addition to building
strong vehicles, UAW-Ford also helps to build communities. Last year,
UAW-Ford community service projects included:
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Refurbishing Balduck Park in Detroit’s East English Village
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Donating 20,000 holiday food boxes
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Skills training for U.S. military veterans
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Free mammogram screenings
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Raising funds for charities, such as March of Dimes, and JDRF
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Providing mentoring opportunities for Detroit-area youth
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Offering emergency response training for its members
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Working with Habitat for Humanity
About UAW-Ford
Rooted in the spirit of labor and management cooperation, the
UAW-Ford relationship also has grown over the years and today serves as
a benchmark for how labor and management can successfully work together
for the benefit of all. The UAW and Ford are more than just workers and
a manufacturer that builds cars and trucks. Together, they’ve become
leading supporters in the communities where they live and work, and are
making substantial contributions to the quality of life of neighborhoods
with artwork, music, athletics, and mentoring abilities.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150615005821/en/
Contacts:
Marx Layne & Company
Talitha Johnson
Office: 248.855.6777
Cell:
313.415.6178
tjohnson@marxlayne.com
or
Marx
Layne & Company
Christine Snyder
Office: 248.855.6777
Cell:
248.417.5246
csnyder@marxlayne.com
or
Ford
Motor Company
Kimberly Harry
Office: 313.845.5167
Cell:
313.310.7615
kharry1@ford.com
Source: Ford Motor Company
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