Ford makes $20,000 donation to local schools through it's South Florida Salute to Education initiative.
MIAMI, March 1, 2005 - As part of an educational activity that ties math and science to golf, Spanish PGA Tour star Jose Maria Olazabal and Ford played host today to Miami high school students on the first tee of the famed Doral Blue Monster golf course.
About 20 students and their teacher from the Hialeah Institute, an alternative school administered by the Cuban American National Council, took part in a presentation where they learned science and math concepts through the evolution of the golf ball. The clinic was held in conjunction with the upcoming Ford Championship at Doral golf tournament.
The scientific golf clinic is an example of the hands-on approach to learning in the Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS), an academically rigorous educational program developed by Ford Motor Company, in partnership with Education Development Center, Inc. Ford PAS teaches critical-thinking, problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills in a real-world context to prepare high school students for college and careers in business, engineering and technology.
Ford also made an additional $20,000 donation to local schools through its South Florida Salute to Education (STE) initiative. STE is a non-profit entity with a mission to impact education in South Florida, which is made possible by Ford Motor Company and 21 Southern Florida Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers. Since the program's inception in 1994, STE has granted more than $2.35 million in scholarships to more than 2,500 students in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. It currently is one of the largest private scholarship programs in South Florida.
"Ford continues to recognize a need to develop the next generation of Hispanic scientists and engineers," said Raquel Egusquiza, director of National Programs and International Strategy, Ford Motor Company Fund, the charitable arm of Ford Motor Company. "The PAS Golf clinic and Salute to Education donation represent two excellent opportunities to inspire Hispanics to achieve their personal educational and career dreams, one of the core philanthropic goals of Ford Motor Company since its inception."
"This is such a fun way for the students to see the connection between science and math, and the real world," Cristobal R. Garcia, science teacher said. "We are very thankful for Mr. Olazabal for taking time to work with us and Ford for hosting it. This is something the kids will not soon forget."
"This golf clinic is another great example of how Ford is reaching out to the local South Florida community," expressed Guarione Diaz, president of the Cuban American National Council and CNC Hialeah Institute administrator. "Whether it is Ford's support of the Hispanic Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, Cuban American National Council and National Hispanic Corporate Council, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund or the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities conference, the company truly is setting the standard for outstanding corporate citizenship."
Ford Motor Company Fund supports programs that enhance and enrich the communities where the automaker does business. The Fund is committed to creating educational opportunities that stimulate creativity and promote cultural diversity.
Posted by fordpas at March 3, 2005 12:48 PM