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 Aug. 3 at the 2024 DAV and Auxiliary National Convention in Phoenix.

The gift will fund the purchase of five new vehicles for the DAV Transportation Network, which operates a nationwide fleet through which volunteers provide disabled veterans free transportation to and from 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’re so grateful to Ford Motor Co. for their continued partnership and generosity over the years,” said DAV National Commander Nancy Espinosa. “Their support of the DAV Transportation Network ensures thousands of veterans can get to their medical appointments to receive the much-needed care they’ve earned.”

Since 1987, Ford Motor Co. has donated 269 vehicles to DAV’s fleet. Last year, the DAV Transportation Network provided 245,655 rides for veterans to make their medical appointments. Volunteer drivers covered over 9.2 million miles and invested 575,369 volunteer hours.

“For more than a century, Ford has helped DAV with its mission of keeping its promise to America’s veterans,” said Espinosa. “We’re thankful they continue to support ill and injured veterans who sacrificed so much to 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.