ERLANGER, Ky. – DAV (Disabled American Veterans) announced a generous $200,000 donation from Ford Motor Co. to help support free transportation to medical appointments for America’s ill and injured veterans. A special check presentation will take place at the 2023 DAV and Auxiliary National Convention at Harrah’s Atlantic City in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Aug. 5.

Ford’s gift will fund the purchase of eight new vehicles for the DAV Transportation Network, which operates a nationwide fleet through which volunteers provide disabled veterans free transportation to and from their Department of Veteran Affairs medical appointments.

Ford Motor Co.’s support of America’s veterans began in 1922 when Henry Ford provided 50 Model-Ts to help disabled World War I veterans attend the second DAV National Convention in San Francisco.

“We are immensely grateful for Ford Motor Co.’s long-standing partnership with DAV,” said DAV National Commander Joseph Parsetich. “Without their generosity, thousands of veterans would be unable to make their medical appointments and receive the care they need and have earned.”

Since 1987, Ford Motor Co. has donated 264 vehicles to DAV’s fleet. Last year, the DAV Transportation Network provided nearly 210,000 rides for veterans to make their medical appointments. Volunteer drivers covered over 9.2 million miles and invested 2.8 million volunteer hours.

“Ford has been part of DAV’s history since the beginning, and we look forward to our future accomplishments,” said Parsetich. “We’re thankful they continue to support the men and women who preserve the American way of life.”

 

 About DAV
DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: keeping our promise to America’s veterans. 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 nonprofit organization with more than 1 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932.