In collaboration with First Book, Ford is donating 10,000 new books, and recently celebrated with a reading party for 100 kids at the BB&T Center. Ford Dealers, First Book representatives, Florida Panthers alum Randy Moller and Lucy Lopez, co-host of the Power 96 Morning Show, were among those reading to the students.
“At Ford, education is fundamental and we want to get students on a path to success at an early age and ultimately reach their dreams,” said Joe Avila, manager, Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company. “There is no better way to encourage our youngest students to read than with new books that will help them understand and experience the joy of reading.”
Ford Driving Dreams is part of Ford’s overall education efforts in Florida with a focus on keeping students in school and promoting reading at an early age. First Book is a nonprofit group that provides new books and educational resources to kids.
“Having access to books is one of the biggest predictors of a child’s academic success,” said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO, First Book. “And together with Ford Motor Company Fund, we’re helping level the playing field for kids who too often go without these and other critical educational resources. We’re proud to join Ford Fund and local Ford dealers to provide 10,000 new books to kids in the Miami area and look forward to our continued work to improve lives in the communities across the country.”
Ford Driving Dreams initiatives have delivered more than $10 million in educational resources such as scholarships, college preparedness, tutoring programs, parental engagement and motivational activities across the country. By the end of 2016, 50,000 new books will have been delivered to children in need in Detroit, Houston, North Texas and Florida. In addition to Ford Driving Dreams, Ford Fund educational programs include Ford Blue Oval Scholars, Ford Next Generation Learning, Ford College Community Challenge, and the Ford STEAM Lab. For more information, visit www.forddrivingdreams.com.