Let the bidding begin! The countdown is on for the 11th annual Lunch with a Ford Executive fundraiser that begins Monday, July 22 and ends at noon Friday, July 26.
What began 11 years ago as a simple idea has grown into a significant fundraiser for the United Negro College Fund, an organization Lima Engine Plant Manager Lamar Jones is passionate about. To date, approximately $70,000 has been raised through the online auction that allows Ford employees across North America the opportunity to bid on and win lunch with a Ford executive.
Jones, who organizes the annual fundraiser, said he is hoping for a record amount of money raised this year. Winners will be notified by email and all proceeds will help support the 36th Annual UNCF Walk for Education.
It was over a decade ago when Jones had returned home after a three-year Ford assignment in Brazil. Happy to be home and closer to family, Jones was looking to reengage with the Ford UNCF team. “I was looking for a way to increase awareness and the money raised,” he said. Jones approached Frederiek Toney, who was serving as Ford’s executive champion for UNCF at the time. He pitched him the idea of holding a fundraiser where employees could win lunch with an executive. “Who doesn’t like lunch?” Jones said, laughing. “Frederiek said ‘let’s do it,’ and that’s how it all began.”
Long on interest but short on time, Jones wanted to have a significant impact without monopolizing a lot of time. “Manufacturing had been involved before with UNCF, and in the past, we had done things like ice cream socials and bake sales, which involved a lot of effort with minimal return. But we needed to do something more.”
The first year out of the gate, six of Ford’s corporate officers signed on to host their winners for lunch. The fundraiser generated $1,900 for UNCF. “Hey, it’s a win anytime you can raise incremental money for a good cause,” Jones said. “But I thought we could do better.”
And do better they have.
Over a decade later, the annual fundraiser has generated over $70,000 for UNCF. “None of this would have been possible without support from Ford UNCF team members like Charmaine White, Tanya Samuels, and Valencia Parker,” Jones said.
Participation has also increased, and about 20 Ford executives participate each year, allowing employees a chance to have an opportunity to get to know an executive. “I think the interactions and the employee engagement we are building are truly priceless,” Jones said. “This has created opportunities for employees to connect with our senior leadership on a personal level. There is information sharing and advice that executives have passed on to employees, and it’s a two-way street. Employees can also share their perspective too. It’s just a win-win for everyone involved including students, employees, and executives.”
Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has focused on the principle of making education affordable and has assisted more than 500,000 students to attend college and go on to become leaders in their fields. More than 7,000 students receive scholarships worth more than $83 million each year, because of UNCF.
Jones is ardent about education, the work of UNCF, and he is grateful for the opportunity to help make a positive impact. He is also appreciative to company leaders who have offered their full support. “This whole experience has been beyond amazing. It really highlights our excellence, focus, collaboration, and one of the many bests of Ford Motor Company,” Jones said. “We have created a really cool tradition that our employees and executives look forward to every year.”
To place a bid from July 22-26, please go to UNCF Lunch with an Executive.
