BUFFALO – The Western New York Ford Dealers are urging nonprofit organizations in the Western New York area to apply for a new van through the 2014 Ford Friendship Express program. The deadline to submit applications is next Wednesday, Nov. 20 for all eligible groups.

Please note that the deadline to apply falls one month earlier than last year to give the selection committee time to thoroughly review all applications. The WNY Ford Dealers will announce the 2014 Ford Friendship Express van recipient during the Buffalo Auto Show in February.

Applications and guidelines are available at www.wnyford.com under the “local events” tab. All applications from organizations residing in Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, McKean and Potter counties must be returned by Nov. 20 to be eligible for consideration for the 2014 program. Please send completed applications to: Ford Friendship Express Program, 50 Fountain Plaza, Suite 1000, Buffalo, NY 14202.

Beginning in 1996, the philanthropic program has awarded 71 vans valued at nearly $1.8 million to groups throughout the area. Last year, Buffalo Museum of Science, Cantalician Center for Learning, and The Family Help Center were each awarded a new Ford vehicle.

Additional past recipients include: Schiller Park Community Services, Inc., Franciscan Center, The Bristol Home, Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services, Be-a-Friend/Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County, Boys and Girls Clubs of Eden, Homespace Inc., Boys and Girls Clubs of the Northtowns, Computers for Children, Kids Escaping Drugs, SABAH, Meals on Wheels of Buffalo and Erie County, Friends of the Night People, St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy, Camp Good Days & Special Times, Student Union at SUNY at Buffalo, Goodwill Industries of Western New York, Rural Transit Service, American Red Cross, The Buffalo Zoo and many more.

About the Western New York Ford Dealers

The Western New York Ford Dealers are part of the Western New York Ford Stores, an advertising cooperative comprised of 31 dealer locations that provides support for Ford vehicle sales and service in the 13 counties of Western New York and Rochester, and three counties in Northern Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.wnyford.com.