Each year, Ford volunteers across the world reach out to their communities under a special programme we call the Global Week of Caring (GWC). This year, the theme is “Go Green”. True to the spirit of the theme, our India team kick started the 5^th Annual Ford GCW by planting 1500 saplings on the GST Road in Chengalpettu.

Under the GWC programme (from September 4^th to 9^th), thousands of Ford employees and volunteers in India will organise a series of community service activities to address special needs of people from the local communities in and around our Chennai plant. These include safe and economic driving workshops, TB screening camps, painting competition and book donation.

“Like every year, we look forward to this week with great excitement and a commitment from Ford India to make a difference in the lives of the people we care for. Beyond the automotive business, we are also dedicated to doing our part to build a better world by helping to improve people’s lives, in the community where we work and live. Our employees have always supported the community with great energy and enthusiasm,” says Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India.

Meanwhile, on Sunday our volunteers took a group of HIV affected children to the Vandalur Zoo for a fun trip; even as we trained a hundred Chennai traffic policemen under the Ford’s Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) programme as part of a road safety event.

Practice session on safe and economical driving in progress

Here’s a look at some of the activities planned for the week:

September 6: Ford India will inaugurate a library at Maraimalai Nagar’s Government secondary school, while our employees will donate books.

September 7: Over 300 school students from the Government high schools in Thirukachur, Paramanur and Maraimalai Nagar will bring alive the “Go Green” theme in a  painting competition.

Other activities during the week:

• Ford India will donate over 2000 books, 1000 bags and 1000 writing kits for school students.
• We will conduct a TB and lung screening camp at the Thirkachur Government high school and Sanjeevi Medical Centre, the decade old primary health care (PHC) centre set up by Ford India to cater to the health care needs of surrounding communities.
• Ford employees will donate funds to CII to aid the rehabilitation efforts toward those affected by the Leh cloud burst.

Have you done your bit for the local community? Share your experiences with us.