Extracurricular programs at Emporia High School will have more money for projects, thanks to Emporia’s John North Ford dealership.
A presentation was planned for Friday night during the EHS football game to give $7,020 to the school. The money came from a one-day fundraising effort, “Drive One 4 UR School,” as well as the dealership itself.
Drive One 4 UR School is a nationwide effort from Ford Motor Co. in which local dealerships can sign up to offer test drives as a fundraiser. John North Ford was selected. On Sept. 18, 266 people showed up at Emporia High School to test drive cars. Ford donated $20 per test drive.
Those taking the drives could choose what program their money would benefit. At EHS, that included all the sports, plus band, orchestra, drama and others.
Members of the drama program helped coordinate paperwork at the event, according to Tim North, so they were able to benefit from drivers who didn’t have a preference of program by suggesting drama as the recipient.
The 266 test drives brought $5,320 for the school. Ford had put a cap of $6,000 it would donate from test drives.
“We as a dealership chipped in another $1,700,” North said, bringing the total so far to $7,020.
But there’s still time to donate.
The Midwest Ford Dealers, which represents dealerships in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri, is offering a contest on its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/midwestforddealers.
Once on the page, click on the 4 UR School tab. Those wanting to enter the sweepstakes can vote for Emporia High School. If EHS earns the most votes, the Midwest Ford Dealers will match the $5,320 originally raised. And one lucky entrant will win an iPad.
Voting continues through Dec. 31.
empgazfan (anonymous) says...
This is a horrible program. It is a sham! It is nothing but a sales pitch by Ford to reel in new buyers in return for a pittance donation, and a tax deductible one at that. Plus the money goes for extra-curricular activities. That makes it worse! The money should go to math and science labs, not silly goof-off clubs. John North Ford should be condemned for this ludicrous program designed to make them appear charitable when they are really just greedy money hunters. If they want more business they should lower their prices, not engage in such deceptive theatrics.
October 30, 2010 at 7:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
I hope they consider some of the money for books.
Seeing how I heard that some science class doesn't have enough books for all their classes to allow kids to take home books to study.
Believe it or not, some kids like to study.
October 30, 2010 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heartandbrain (anonymous) says...
What a miserable life you must live, empgazfan! I'm sure the vast majority of readers realize that your statements are merely sour-grapes opinions and not verifiable facts. How does the tax status make the gift any less useful? I doubt that any of the students or their parents feel that these extra-curricular activities are "silly goof-off clubs". You must have been a miserable failure in school (and in life in general) to hold these sad opinions. You obviously don't own a business that provides jobs for other people.
November 1, 2010 at 11:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heartandbrain (anonymous) says...
What's the matter, empgasfan? You have no rebuttal?
November 11, 2010 at 2:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
Wow, did you seriously post again 10 days later to try to call someone out on the gazette forums?
They probably don't remember, care or bothered to come back to this particular story.
Did you not have anything of importance to contribute? This makes you as bad as they are. -.- omg.
November 11, 2010 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )