Ford to Present $30,000 to Winner of Community Leader of the Year Award During Neighborhood Awards This Weekend

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning Friday, Ford will continue in its efforts to go further in the community as part of the brand's involvement in the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards, which takes place for the first time in Atlanta. This year marks Ford's eighth consecutive year of participation in the annual awards show hosted by Steve Harvey, a comedian and best-selling author.

For the second year in a row, Ford will present the winner of the Community Leader of the Year Award with a check for $30,000 to be used as a donation to his or her nonprofit organization of choice to further community efforts locally.

"The Ford Neighborhood Awards continues to represent a mainstay within the African American community," said Shawn Thompson, manager, Ford multicultural marketing. "Each year this show gets bigger, and Ford is excited to be able to present the Community Leader of the Year Award recipient with a check for $30,000 to ultimately give back to the local community.

"Our goal as a brand is to not only go further when it comes to our products, but also as it relates to our communities," Thompson added. "With this award and donation, we are able to play a role in directly impacting the local community of this year's winner – extending our involvement beyond the actual awards show."

Ford's participation in the 2014 Neighborhood Awards also includes an opportunity for attendees to drive some of the brand's newest products, like the 2014 Fusion and 2015 Expedition during consumer ride-and-drives on Friday, Aug. 8 and Saturday, Aug. 9. Attendees can learn more about the brand as part of Ford's interactive booth display during the Neighborhood Awards Weekend Expo. Ford is official sponsor of the Ford VIP After Party hosted by Nephew Tommy on Saturday.

'Pink Friday' – Ford booth goes pink for breast cancer awareness
On Aug. 8, for the first time, Ford is activating "Pink Friday" in an effort to raise awareness around breast cancer and the importance of early detection. For each of the first 250 test drives the company is offering, Ford Warriors in Pink will donate $20 to the Susan G. Komen local affiliate office to help advance the fight against breast cancer.

A relentless change agent in the fight against breast cancer, Warriors in Pink has embraced its role as a catalyst to inspire honest conversations among women. Now in its 20th year, Ford continues in the fight by issuing a strong call to action encouraging women to drive more conversations on breast health. The Drive the Conversation survey, conducted by Ford Warriors in Pink, shows that despite being a leading health concern for women, important breast health conversations are not happening enough – particularly between mothers and daughters.

The 12th Annual Ford Neighborhood Awards
The 12th annual Ford Neighborhood Awards honors local businesses, religious and community leaders, and churches and high schools for their contributions and excellence within their own neighborhoods. Award categories include best church, beauty salon, community leader, barber shop, fried chicken place, high school teacher, high school, nail salon, car wash and detail shop, BBQ place and church choir. The awards show is best described as the Oscars with an urban flair, featuring a diverse and ultra-talented group of celebrities who present 12 nontraditional awards to stars of the community. 

"For eight years, Ford has remained committed to this event and what it represents," said Thompson. "We look forward to recognizing everyone who is being honored this weekend, in addition to sharing some of our newest products and technologies with attendees."

Be sure to join the social conversation throughout the weekend by using hashtag #fordup.

To learn more about Ford's newest products like the 2014 Fusion, log on to www.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 186,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

Ford Warriors in Pink®
Ford's commitment in the fight against breast cancer runs well beyond raising funds. The company is dedicated to making a difference 365 days a year by encouraging women to become informed and visit their doctors, educating them about how early detection saves lives. To date, Ford has dedicated more than $125 million to the cause. The entire 2014 Ford Warriors in Pink collection is available at www.fordcares.com. A full 100 percent of net proceeds from sales go to support organizations fighting breast cancer including The Pink Fund, Susan G. Komen, Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and Young Survival Coalition.           

SOURCE Ford Motor Company