-- Ford Motor Company launches Operation Goodwill in South Florida,contributing an additional $600,000 over the next year to communityorganizations in the region

-- Ford is partnering with its area dealers in new ways to increase thefocus on the needs of local communities

-- 44 Hispanic students in South Florida who wish to pursue anundergraduate degree in a field that is pertinent to the automotive industrywill receive scholarships from the Ford Blue Oval Scholars Program

-- New funding will support organizations related to education, humanservices, automotive safety, volunteer programs, among others

-- The Operation Goodwill program kick-off will take place on October 17thin partnership with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and Ford Motor Company Fund, thephilanthropic arm of Ford, announced today that they plan to invest anadditional $600,000 over the next year in South Florida's community programsand charities.

The new funding will support a combination of organizations related toeducation, automotive safety, human services and other volunteer activitiesthat enhance the quality of life in South Florida.

"Operation Goodwill gives us the opportunity to better target ourphilanthropy and community relations activities in key U.S. markets, such asSouth Florida, and to solidly demonstrate that Ford has been, and willcontinue to be a supportive corporate citizen in the community," said JimVella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. "Ford MotorCompany is actively committed to South Florida, and now in conjunction withthe local dealers we're increasing the level of involvement," added Vella.

Ford and its area dealers are working together to increase the impact ofthe company's philanthropy in South Florida. Ford's dealers identified morethan 15 organizations that will receive support through Operation Goodwill.Ford allocated funds to partner and contribute with these organizations andthe local dealers are participating actively with program partners. Thecompany and dealers are pooling resources like never before to support thecommunity outreach efforts.

Operation Goodwill South Florida will be on October 17th in partnershipwith the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Jim Vella will outline the detailsof the Operation Goodwill program that significantly increases philanthropyand community relations in South Florida.

"South Florida Ford dealers are joining forces with Ford Motor Company toregionalize its philanthropic giving," said Lombardo Perez, Owner/President,Metro Ford Lincoln Mercury. "We think this is the right thing to do becausethe needs within our communities have never been greater, and we can provideguidance to Ford on how to best target programs in our community."

Following are the programs and organizations that are being supported byFord Motor Company, Ford Motor Company Fund, and South Florida Ford dealersthrough Operation Goodwill:

Education:

The Ford Scholars - Ford Motor Company Fund will provide 44 $1,000scholarships for deserving Hispanic students who wish to pursue anundergraduate degree in a field that is pertinent to the automotive industrythrough a partnership with The Hispanic College Fund.

Adopt-a-Classroom - Adopt-A-Classroom increases the opportunity forstudent success by empowering teachers with community partners and funds topurchase resources for the classroom. Ford Motor Company Fund is the leadsponsor of Miami-Dade County Public Schools District Wide Rollout Program.Ford's contribution will be distributed among 412 schools in Miami-Dadeserving 125,000 children.

The Miami Herald Dade & Broward Athletic Awards - The Miami Herald'sAll-Dade and All-Broward Athletic Awards recognizes outstanding high schoolstudents for their athletic and academic achievements. Presented since 1964,it has become one of South Florida's most coveted high school awards ceremonyrecognizing more than 15,000 student-athletes in over 15 categories. Allprivate and public high school athletes are eligible to participate with morethan 80 schools joining the competition each year. Ford Motor Company Fundwill support the celebration of athletes and teams.

Automotive Safety:

High School Seniors and Adult Drivers Education Courses - Miami-DadeCounty Public Schools provides driver's education courses to high schoolseniors and adults during the school year. Upon completion of these courseshigh school seniors receive a certificate that allows them to get lower autoinsurance rates. A large portion of their funds goes to repairs and fuelcosts. Ford Motor Company Fund's donation will help MDCPS by providing fundingfor fuel and repairs and allow them to expand the program and outreach to moreschools.

Human Services:

Special Olympics Fall Fashion Show Event presented by Saks Fifth Avenue -Special Olympics Miami-Dade County was established in 1991 for children andadults in our community ages 8 and up with intellectual disabilities. Thepositive experiences that the Special Olympics athletes have in year-roundsports training, competition programs and summer camp build confidence andself-image, which carries over into all aspects of their lives. Ford MotorCompany will sponsor the Fall Fashion Show, which raises funds needed to helpthe current and potential intellectually disabled population served by SpecialOlympics Miami-Dade County.

Shake-a-Leg Miami - Each year, Shake-A-Leg helps over 3,000 children andadults with physical, developmental and economic challenges; liberating themfrom the realm of imagination into the realm of experience. They havesuccessfully created an inspirational haven, where people of all backgroundsand abilities find common ground. Shake-A-Leg Miami is South Florida's"Gateway to Biscayne Bay." Ford Motor Company Fund's support will help theorganization begin a phased boat replacement program that would enable them toupgrade and maintain the fleet and marina.

Liga Contra el Cancer/League Against Cancer - League Against Cancerprovides free medical care to needy Cancer patients. More than 350 Floridaphysicians, who are board-certified in their specialties, volunteer theirservices to the League Against Cancer. League Against Cancer is the lastresort for cancer victims who have no financial resources or health insurance.Patients receive the appropriate medical treatments at no cost to them. FordMotor Company Fund supports Liga Contra el Cancer Annual Telethon.

American Heritage & Legacy:

Viernes Culturales/Cultural Fridays - Cultural Fridays is a non-profitorganization aimed at promoting cultural awareness in Little Havana. CulturalFridays is an artistic, cultural, and social arts and culture fair that takesplace on the last Friday of each month in the historic Little Havananeighborhood of Miami and attracts approximately 70,000 visitors and touristsa year.

Miami-Dade College - Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration - The WolfsonCampus of Miami Dade College opened in 1970 holding classes in storefronts indowntown Miami. Since then, it has played an integral part in the effort todevelop the skyline of downtown Miami. As the only comprehensive urban campusin the City of Miami, it provides a fully accredited, high-quality educationto over 27,000 students each year. Ford Motor Company supports Miami-DadeCollege's Hispanic Heritage Month during the month of October, with a seriesof events in celebration of the Hispanic culture. The college presents anarray of free events, such as art exhibits, lectures, film screenings, comedyshows and dance classes.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Heritage Expo - Ford Motor Companysupports this important event put together by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerceand El Nuevo Herald. The Expo is held at the Miami Beach Convention andfeatures a diverse range of activities and exhibits.

Environment:

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce - The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerceseeks solutions to the problems that vex businesses and creates solutions whenanswers cannot be found. It is dedicated to building the best environment forbusiness in the Americas. The Chamber is committed to improving the economicvitality of the community, with a keen eye on quality of life issues andsocial justice for all residents. Ford Motor Company support will help themcarry out their mission.

Volunteers:

Habitat for Humanity - Habitat for Humanity builds homes that arepurchased by low-income families in need of a decent, affordable place tolive. These houses can be bequeathed to the next generation, leaving a lastinglegacy of the fulfillment of their homeownership dream and providing a futurefor their families. Ford Motor Company will be a house sponsor.

Boys and Girls Club of Broward County - The mission of the Boys and GirlsClub of Broward County is to help improve the lives of young people ages 7-17by building self-esteem and developing values and skills during their criticalperiod of growth. Ford Motor Company Fund supports the 12th Annual Dunn's Run.

Amigos for Kids - Amigos for Kids responds to the diverse needs of SouthFlorida's abused, abandoned, neglected and less-fortunate children. Throughoutits 15-year history, Amigos has come to the aid of South Florida's mostvaluable natural resource, its children, and offers numerous programs forthese children in the inner city across South Florida. Ford Motor CompanyFund supports Amigos For Kids and shares in the hope to strengthen the entirecommunity by helping to eliminate the painful cycle of child abuse andneglect.

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is committed to creatingopportunities that promote corporate citizenship, philanthropy, volunteerismand cultural diversity for those who live in the communities where Fordoperates. Established in 1949 and made possible by funding from Ford MotorCompany, Ford Motor Company Fund supports initiatives and institutions thatfoster innovative education, auto-related safety, and American heritage andlegacy. National programs include Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies,which provides high school students with academically rigorous 21st centurylearning experiences, and Driving Skills for Life, a teen-focused auto safetyinitiative. The Ford Volunteer Corps, established in 2005, continues Ford'slegacy of caring worldwide. Through the Volunteer Corps, Ford employees andretirees participate in a wide range of volunteer projects in theircommunities. For more information on programs made possible by Ford MotorCompany Fund and Community Services, visit www.community.ford.com .

SOURCE Ford Motor Company