COLD SPRING, Ky. – Through the generosity of the Ford Motor Company Fund, DAV (Disabled American Veterans) will be able to continue to provide free transportation to America’s injured and ill veterans who might not otherwise be able to access needed medical care.

Ford, a long-time DAV supporter, is donating $200,000 for the purchase of eight new vehicles for the organization’s nationwide Transportation Network, which provides rides for veterans to and from their medical appointments at no cost. The grant will be presented at DAV’s National Convention at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside hotel, July 29.

Ford Motor Company’s support of America’s veterans dates back nearly 100 years. When it became clear a national forum was necessary to address the needs of those returning from the First World War, Henry Ford organized a cross-country caravan of 50 Model-Ts to take ill and injured veterans to the 1922 DAV National Convention in San Francisco. “We are extremely proud and grateful for our long partnership with Ford Motor Company,” said DAV National Commander David W. Riley. “These vehicles will be used by volunteers nationwide to ensure our wounded heroes get to and from medical appointments. Without this donation and program, many of these veterans would go without the medical care they need and have earned.”

“We are proud to provide these heroic men and women with additional options to get to and from essential medical care that can make their lives better,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund. “We are inspired by their courage and salute their sacrifices in protecting our freedom.”

Since 1996, Ford has donated 215 vehicles to DAV’s fleet—that’s in addition to the 3,079 Ford vehicles purchased by DAV, its chapters and departments and the National Service Foundation’s Columbia Trust since 1987.

In 2016, DAV’s Transportation Network provided more than 673,000 free rides for veterans to and from their medical appointments. Volunteer drivers covered more than 22.9 million miles and invested more than 1.5 million hours transporting veterans for needed health care.

“Ford also helps to make the Jesse Brown Youth Memorial Scholarship possible, enabling youth volunteers who are giving back to veterans in their communities to attend college, and continues to support the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic,” added Riley. “Ford is an American institution and we’re thankful they continue to support the men and women who preserve the American way of life we hold sacred.”

 

About DAV:
DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; providing employment resources to veterans and their families and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a non-profit organization with nearly 1.3 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at www.dav.org.

 About Ford Motor Company Fund

Ford Motor Company Fund is the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company. Established in 1949, Ford Fund invests in transformational programs that advance innovation, empower people, promote social mobility and improve community prosperity. Ford Fund works with local and global partners to create opportunities in education, encourage safe driving, enlist employee volunteers and enrich community life. Ford Fund’s signature programs include Ford Blue Oval Scholars, Ford College Community Challenge, Ford Driving Dreams, Ford Driving Skills for Life, Ford Next Generation Learning and the Ford Volunteer Corps. For more information visit http://community.ford.com, or join us on Facebook at @FordFund and Twitter @FordFund.