Ford Fund and Bryan Cranston Return to Puerto Rico to Advance HEART 9/11's Rebuilding Efforts
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Ford Fund and Bryan Cranston donate two Ford F-150 trucks to facilitate disaster response. School resources donated to students in Orocovis
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Ford employees volunteer to help HEART 9/11 rebuild three homes in Orocovis
- Ford has invested more than $1.5 million in community-building programs and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico since Hurricanes Irma and Maria
OROCOVIS, Puerto Rico — As the second anniversary of Hurricane Maria approaches, Ford Motor Company Fund — the philanthropic arm of Ford — and HEART 9/11's team of first responders collaborate with award-winning actor, director and philanthropist Bryan Cranston in rebuilding initiatives in Puerto Rico.
Ford and Cranston join Puerto Rican actor Ramón Rodríguez at the famous Toro Verde Nature Adventure Park for the donation of two Ford F-150s to support HEART 9/11's sustained response and apprentice program launched since Hurricane Maria ravaged the island. Cranston, Rodriguez, and Ford employees will also participate in HEART 9/11's home rebuilding volunteer activity in Orocovis to assist three families that are still suffering the effects of Hurricane Maria.
Ford employees will visit the Escuela Visitación Pagán Aponte in Orocovis to donate back-to-school supplies and a $5,000 grant for the purchase of science department equipment. Ford's Mobile Science Lab (Ciencia Móvil) vehicle, donated to Centros Sor Isolina Ferré as part of Ford's ongoing recovery efforts on the island, will also host a three-day STEM workshop at the elementary school to advance STEM education and showcase the activities available to schools in Puerto Rico through the traveling science lab.
Ford Fund is committed to building stronger communities and helping make people's lives better in Puerto Rico. After Hurricane Maria, Ford Fund's $1.5 million investment has provided much needed services to the island – from basic needs such as food, water, clothing and transportation, to other longer-term recovery assistance. Overall, since 2012, Ford and Ford Fund have invested more than $3 million in community-building programs through its Operation Better World initiative, including disaster relief and recovery efforts as well as educational initiatives such as Ford Driving Dreams and Latin GRAMMY® In The Schools.
HEART 9/11 has had a significant presence in Puerto Rico since September 25, 2017 and has deployed more than 832 expert members; surpassed 49,682 volunteer hours; and completed 297 roofs and 75 other projects in the communities of Playita, Orocovis, Morovis, and Cantera. In order to support the sustained response and to help create an expanded skilled workforce, HEART 9/11 launched a 10-week Pre-Apprentice Program at training centers in Orocovis and Playita. Led by highly skilled bilingual instructors from the Carpenters Union and local Puerto Rican faculty, students receive classroom and job-site training while rebuilding houses in their community.
About HEART 9/11
HEART 9/11 (Healing Emergency Aid Response Team 9/11) is a team of first responders – FDNY, NYPD, PAPD and the NYC Building Trades - that bonded in the aftermath of September 11, 2001 to honor the sacrifices of brave colleagues and family members lost, to continue to utilize their experience and training in service to others and to bring a message of hope to communities affected by disaster. HEART 9/11's mission is to Respond immediately to natural and man-made disasters; Rebuild community centers in hard-hit areas to meet grass roots needs; Recover by building resiliency for individuals, families and communities. For additional details please visit www.heart911.org.
About Ford Motor Company Fund
As the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, Ford Fund's mission is to strengthen communities and help make people's lives better. Working with dealers and nonprofit partners in more than 60 countries, Ford Fund provides access to opportunities and resources that help people reach their full potential. Since 1949, Ford Fund has invested more than $2 billion in programs that support education, promote safe driving, enrich community life and encourage employee volunteering. For more information, visit www.fordfund.org or join us at @FordFund on Facebook and Instagram and @fordfund_ on Twitter.