Downriver Today

Mary Culler, president of the Ford Motor Company Fund, appeared on "The Paul W. Smith Show" in August to discuss the $1.1 million Ford employees have contributed toward COVID-19 relief. 

“When the pandemic hit, Ford really rallied to make ventilators and really stepped up to help the country, but our employees wanted to help, too,” Culler told Smith on an episode of the radio show. “And as you know, we have a huge volunteer corps at the company who usually show up in person. And, of course, we know we couldn’t do that.”

Instead, the Ford Motor Company launched a virtual program that would allow its community to contribute to helping with the coronavirus pandemic. With the program, Ford Motor employees donated over $500,000 in funds, which Ford matched. 

Mary Culler, president of Ford Motor Company Fund | Ford Media Center

In total, employees donated $635,000 for coronavirus relief and recovery, which was matched by the company for over $1.1 million total. 

“And we’re just really proud of them because this was them personally reaching into their pockets to help community organizations,” Culler told Smith.

The funds raised didn’t just go to those in need of relief in the U.S. either. The money raised went to 47 nonprofits and communities in 14 U.S. states and 20 foreign countries. 

“So many of the organizations are really struggling right now,” Culler said on the radio program. “This is a tough time for everybody. And so the fact that our employees stepped up and really recognized, not only did we need to support the community organizations that are really on the ground, helping people in this really tough time, but it was really nice that they could get involved."

Culler said employees at the Ford Motor Company are looking to help the community in other ways as well. With students returning to school in the fall, and many going back to school virtually, Ford Motor Company employees can help tutor students who need the extra attention or the students who don’t do their best work with online learning.

“I couldn’t be prouder of leading this organization because of the great work that the team does,” Culler told Smith. “It’s just another example of how Ford employees and the family of Ford is always giving back.”