BUFFALO - The Ford Dealers of Western New York are continuing their annual tradition of helping improve the quality of life throughout the region. Local not-for-profit organizations looking to drive into the summer of 2009 with a brand new Ford van can now apply to the Ford Friendship Express program.
The application deadline is March 6, and van recipients will receive notification in the spring.
Now in its fourteenth year, the program has awarded 58 vans valued over $1 million. All nonprofit organizations within the eight counties of Western New York and one county in Northern Pennsylvania are eligible to apply.
"The Ford Dealers of Western New York value the hard work and dedication it takes for our community's nonprofit organizations to keep our home a wonderful place to live," said Scott Bieler, chairman of the Ford Friendship Express Selection Committee. "The Ford Friendship Express program is simply a way to show our appreciation and provide these deserving organizations with an essential need transportation."
Past recipients include Meals on Wheels of Buffalo and Erie County, Friends of the Night People, St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, Old First Ward Community Association, Aurora Adult Day Services, Camp Good Days & Special Times, the American Red Cross and The Buffalo Zoo. The 2008 recipients were Jericho Road Ministries, The Boys & Girls Club of Orchard Park, and Bertrand Chaffee Hospital.
The following counties are eligible for the 2009 program: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming and McKean County in Pennsylvania.
Eligible candidates must be not-for-profit organizations located and operating in the area coinciding with the Western New York Ford Dealers. An application must be completed and submitted to the Ford Friendship Express Committee before the March 6, 2009 deadline. Applications are available by logging on to www.wnyford.com and clicking the "community events" tab, or by sending a request to Ford Friendship Express Program, 50 Fountain Plaza, Suite 1000, Buffalo, NY 14202.
The Western New York Ford Stores is an advertising cooperative comprised of 39 dealer locations which provides support for Ford vehicle sales and service in the 13 counties of Western New York and two counties in Northern Pennsylvania.
