Ford Honors Six Global Dealers for Exceptional Community Service

•Six dealers from the United States, Canada, China, and Malaysia were honored for their exceptional dedication to community betterment

•Honorees support a wide range of causes, including job training for people with disabilities, youth scholarships, mental health initiatives, homeless shelter construction, and numerous educational programs

Ford Motor Company today recognized six outstanding Ford and Lincoln dealers with its prestigious Salute to Dealers award, celebrating their exceptional contributions to their communities. From supporting veterans and youth programs to funding cancer research and providing job training for people with disabilities, these honorees exemplify the positive impact dealerships can have on the lives of others.

'For 25 years, the Salute to Dealers award has highlighted the incredible work our dealer network does to support the communities they serve,' said Henry Ford III. 'This year's honorees exemplify the spirit of giving and the positive impact we can have when we work together to build stronger, more vibrant communities. Their dedication inspires us all, and we are proud to recognize their exceptional contributions.'

The Salute to Dealers program, originally established by Edsel B. Ford II, has expanded globally since 2011, recognizing 166 dealers from 20 countries over its 25-year history. This year's recipients were selected by a panel of judges based on their individual community service activities, duration of involvement, and personal motivation. Each honoree received a custom portrait showcasing their philanthropic endeavors, which will also be displayed at Ford World Headquarters for a year.

The award ceremony, held in New Orleans on January 23rd, preceded the annual National Automobile Dealers Association convention in Las Vegas. The program underscores Ford's long-standing commitment to empowering communities globally, reflecting a shared legacy of more than 120 years of positive impact. Ford and Lincoln dealer principals are eligible for nomination by their dealership or regional representatives.

Charles S. Miller: Miller Ford Lincoln Sales in Lumberton, New Jersey

Boy Scouts of America

Burlington County Animal Shelter

Legacy Treatment Services

Miller Transportation Group Employee Charitable Giving Program

Chip Miller is deeply committed to giving back, witnessed by a long history of dedicating time, talent and resources to countless civic and charitable causes. He has also established several internal programs focused on caring for the needs of his employees. One example is the Miller Employee Children's Scholarship Program which provides financial support for the educational growth of his employees' children, from trade school attendance to graduate-level programs. Realizing that hardships can sometimes be difficult to overcome, he established a program that offers unencumbered financial assistance to employees facing unique circumstances. Support covers mortgage payments, medical bills and other essential living expenses. Additionally, his Corporate Giving Program awards annual donations to charitable organizations chosen by employees. Many of these charities represent groups that have provided direct support to employees or their families in critical times of need. Chip's generosity doesn't stop there; he also provides financial support to numerous local organizations. These range from youth sports teams to high school theater groups to his hospital's cancer treatment department. His support is far-reaching and touches many other causes and organizations, including: American Cancer Society; Boy Scouts of America; Samaritan Hospice; Rowan College at Burlington County; Episcopal Relief and Development; a local animal shelter, and more. It is through these and numerous other causes that Chip Miller demonstrates service above self and a heartfelt attitude toward helping others.

Ed Bloom: Sioux Falls Ford in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Avera Race Against Cancer

Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana

Sioux Empire United Way

South Dakota Salutes

Ed Bloom has a true passion for giving as reflected in his dealership's vision – to be so effective that we are able to be helpful to others. His willingness to reach out and be actively involved in his community is demonstrated through the many causes he supports as he continually cares for others. As a former active-duty service member, Ed is passionate about helping veterans and first responders. He played a key role in establishing a non-profit organization that assists veterans who were seriously injured in combat while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The organization provides first-class hunting and fishing experiences in locations in and out of state. The goal is to help the veterans assimilate into society and realize their potential despite their injuries. His dealership also supports South Dakota Salutes, a non-profit benefiting first responders and veterans throughout the state. Additionally, the dealership was recently honored with the Sioux Empire United Way Business of the Year award for its dedication and involvement in the community. Ed also has a big heart when it comes to helping children with critical illnesses as he serves on the local Make-A-Wish board of directors granting wishes to children for the past 25 years. The dealership also is a long-time title sponsor for the Avera Race Against Cancer, which raises significant funds to support patients and their families struggling with the disease. The dealership has donated several new Mustangs in support of the annual race events. Ed Bloom's engagement with these and other important causes is contagious and signals a true passion and concern for helping others.

Jack Feng: Zhengzhou Hejun Automobile Sales Co., Ltd in Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, China

Disaster Relief Efforts

Harmony Group Love Fund

Henan Fellowship Association

Youth Education Efforts

Jack Feng is a tireless advocate of social causes, donating significant funds to support the well-being of the impoverished, disabled and elderly. His efforts include massive donations to support recovery and post-event reconstruction after several natural disasters affected local and nearby communities. He has invested heavily in his hometown to help build new bridges and villages while providing funding for local school improvements and community health initiatives. Mr. Feng also funded initiatives to assist impoverished students in pursuit of a college education as well as a program that rewards outstanding students for their achievements. This work has helped to foster positive development of the education sector in the community. Mr. Feng not only gives generously to charitable and social welfare initiatives but also advocates that employees carry on the tradition of helping others. He established the Harmony Group Love Fund, with a large personal donation, to serve as the moniker for these efforts. On an ongoing basis, he and his team have supported and participated in hundreds of public welfare initiatives affecting education, social care and environmental protection. In addition to charitable funding, his dealership employees recently paid tribute to the city's front-line 'ordinary heroes' by volunteering in service activities assisting sanitation workers, traffic enforcement and city administrators. Jack Feng's commitment to his community is all-encompassing, and touches so many, as he strives to make it a better place to live and prosper.

Mike Marcotte: Marcotte Ford in Holyoke, Massachusetts

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke, Inc.

Children's Museum at Holyoke LugNutz Café

Providence Ministries/Kate's Kitchen/Margaret's Pantry

As a third-generation Ford dealer, Mike Marcotte is committed to carrying on a long-standing tradition of giving back to others. Mike, along with his family and dealership team, is particularly passionate about dedicating his time and resources to support youth initiatives in the local and surrounding communities. Their long-term involvement and financial support of the Children's Museum at Holyoke enabled the creation of a state-of-the-art interactive automotive tech exhibit where children play and learn, hands-on. The dealership also has a long-standing relationship with the local Boys & Girls Club where they are consistent donors and volunteers. The relationship continues to grow as dealership employees donate a portion of their income to sponsor club membership for a deserving child. At the same time, hundreds of new sneakers were provided to children attending the annual summer camp. Mike's passion for giving is contagious and spreads throughout the dealership. Recently, his management team was taken to a national retailer to shop for 12 families' holiday wish lists for our friends at Margaret's Pantry, a program of Providence Ministries in Holyoke. This resulted in the delivery of more than 400 toys and gifts to deserving children and parents. Their work continues with family members and employees volunteering together at Kate's Kitchen, a local food pantry that helps prepare meals for those in need. Mike and his family also support the Baystate Children's Hospital by providing important funding and critical resources to support patient care. Mike Marcotte's leadership and willingness to help others are both admirable and contagious, making him an extremely valuable asset to his community.

Jared Priestner: Team Ford in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Fresh Hoops

Fuels the Schools

Kids with Cancer Society

Thrive Elementary

Jared Priestner, along with Team Ford and the Go Auto Group, dedicate countless hours and resources in their efforts to support those in need. With their passionate focus on education and children's health initiatives, they have made a tremendous impact on the many communities where they do business. One example is their Fuels the Schools program which has delivered more than 500,000 free meals to needy children throughout the Edmonton school system. Meals are created by an in-house culinary team, then packaged and delivered to schools by dealership employees. Thrive is a K-6 public charter school, started by the Priestner family, designed to support underprivileged children and families in the community. The school offers a STEM-enhanced curriculum to help children reach their full potential. Meals are provided throughout the day along with after-school care, all at no cost to families. Thrive is the result of the Priestner family's vision, execution and continuous funding. It would not exist without their generosity. Go Auto also sponsors Fresh Hoops, a program that renovates basketball courts across multiple communities, ensuring that students have access to updated recreational facilities. They donated an initial $500,000 and match all community donations, up to an additional $500,000. Jared also partners with the Kids with Cancer Society to support children and families dealing with the disease. Support includes a multi-million-dollar funding commitment over five years. Additionally, Go Auto's Random Acts of Kindness initiative provides funds to employees so they can lead humanitarian efforts in their respective communities. The initiative encourages team collaboration while fostering a culture of giving and compassion. Jared Priestner's leadership and commitment to giving is contagious and far-reaching, providing indispensable help to so many who truly need it.

Turse Zuhair Nahason Affan: Sime Darby Auto Connexion in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Global Peace Foundation Malaysia

Health and Welfare Initiatives

IQ70+ Malaysia Association for the Welfare of Mentally Challenged Children

My Fund Action, Clean Water Project for Indigenous families

As the exclusive distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia, Turse Zuhair Nahason Affan and his dealerships are dedicated to driving community development and social initiatives in Malaysia. Their efforts focus on education, public health, well-being and environmental sustainability. Notable initiatives include supporting Pos Tenau Primary School by upgrading facilities, providing teaching aids, school supplies and arranging student programs to bridge the rural-urban education gap. They also assist surrounding communities with food and essential items. In collaboration with a non-profit organization, the group enhances the welfare of senior living facility residents by supplying food and necessities. For indigenous communities, sustainable farming projects have been implemented to improve self-sufficiency, food security and income. Mr. Turse's personal involvement extends to CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) efforts like a clean water project benefiting 200 indigenous families, ensuring access to safe water and better health. Under his leadership, Sime Darby Auto Connexion have consistently expanded philanthropic support across Malaysia. His passion for these initiatives has made a meaningful impact, improved lives and fostering a stronger sense of community across Malaysia.

Photo credit: Ford
posted on conceptcarz.com

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