Paul Brown, dealer principal of Auckland’s John Andrew Ford, was one six dealers from around the world recently honoured for exceptional community service as part of Ford’s Salute to Dealers.
Edsel B. Ford II and four other judges selected the six from a total global field of nearly 80 nominees from the United States, Canada, Brazil, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, plus Africa and the Middle East regions. As part of the award, Ford Motor Company Fund is donating US$10,000 to a charity of each dealer’s choice.
Ford and Lincoln dealers in the US gave more than US$100-million and 800,000 hours to local causes and non-profits in 2016, according to Ford Motor Company’s annual survey on Dealer Giving.
The survey coincides with the 17th-annual Salute to Dealers Awards delivered at the 2017 National Automobile Dealers Association Convention and Expo in New Orleans.
In the survey, nearly 80 percent of dealers said their teams give both time and money to local causes. Most dealers say they are driven to make a difference in their communities because giving is a part of their dealership tradition.
“Time and time again our dealers find ways to truly go further in their communities,” said Edsel B. Ford II, who chairs the Salute to Dealers awards programme, and is a member of the Ford board of directors. “I am continually amazed by the selfless efforts of our honorees and nominees who choose to make a difference in people’s lives every day.”
Dealers give to causes that address a broad range of community needs – from children’s charities to the environment, from education and health care to parks, municipal services and disaster relief.
In 2016, children’s causes topped the list, with 69 percent of responding dealers donating, followed by 62 percent giving to education and scholarships. Fifty-six percent gave to veteran’s causes, while 46 percent participated in initiatives focused on police, fire and other first responders.
As part of the award, Ford Motor Company Fund is donating $10,000 to a charity of each dealer’s choice.
A painted portrait of each honouree features a montage of the philanthropic and volunteer activities that led to the award. Duplicates of the portraits will join a Salute to Dealers display in the lobby of Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich.
Of Paul Brown, the award citation stated: “Paul Brown is a dedicated advocate and supporter of Camp Quality, a charitable initiative that focuses on improving the quality of life for children living with cancer.
The programme provides summer camps and year-round activities in a stress-free and caring environment. Proceeds from his dealership’s many fundraising efforts – over US$950,000 to date – have helped Camp Quality grow its offerings and the number of children they can accommodate.
Brown also is a generous supporter of the BDO Wellington to Auckland Cycle Challenge, a seven-day, cross-country event that raises money for a variety of charitable causes.
Each year his dealership donates vehicles to the winners of the corporate challenge race, who in turn assign the vehicles to be used by selected charities, including the Cancer Society and Ronald McDonald House, among others.
Brown has recently completed two terms on local school boards, spearheading fundraising efforts and donating his personal time to important educational projects. Brown has undeniably established a reputation for caring and is a true role model for his community.
Other award winners were Ken Crowley, Crowley Ford Lincoln, Plainville, Connecticut; Natalie Tindol, Tindol Ford, Gastonia, N.C; Alan Jay Wildstein, Alan Jay Ford Lincoln, Inc., Sebring, Florida; Vaughn A. Wyant, Jubilee Ford Sales Ltd., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Turgay Mersin, Sadıkoğlu, Uşak, Turkey.
