• Ford partners with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to recognize winners of Ford Freedom Unsung “Heroes of Harvey” Awards
• Winners selected from local community nominations of ordinary people doing extraordinary work during the hurricane relief efforts in the Greater Houston Area                                                                                                                 
  
• Uncle Larry Jones, veteran air personality at MAJIC 102.1, to host awards event

HOUSTON, Feb. 8, 2018 – Ford Motor Company today announced the winners of the Ford Freedom Unsung “Heroes of Harvey” Awards, celebrating individuals who have made significant contributions in their community during the hurricane relief efforts. Honorees are being recognized for their outstanding achievements at a special reception in their honor that takes place at the Bell Tower in Houston. 

Made possible by a grant from Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, Ford Freedom Unsung salutes and honors individuals who went above and beyond to support the community during this difficult time. Residents of the Greater Houston Area area were invited to nominate unsung heroes who demonstrated heroic deeds during the relief efforts.

“In the face of tremendous difficulty, Houstonians came together to support each other and their community,” said Pamela Alexander, director of Community Development, Ford Motor Company Fund.  “We congratulate the winners and are proud to honor their selfless acts.”

Ford is bringing its national program to Greater Houston Area as part of its ongoing commitment to honor distinguished Americans who dedicate their lives to improving their communities and the world. Uncle Larry Jones, veteran air personality at MAJIC 102.1, will serve as master of ceremonies of the event.

The 2018 Ford Freedom Unsung “Heroes of Harvey” Award recipients are:

Alexandra Bowman

Patrick Britton

Carl Butler Jr.

Ashaia Clark

Marian Dever

James Dixon, II

Keith Downey

Taranieshia Grigsby

Houston Hands

The Street Kings

Hilton Koch

Jerome Love

Kay Matthews

Marsha McCray

Terence Narcisse

Alma Ogletree

Nikishia Price

Bobby Rouse

Thelma Scott

Donald Specht

Marguerite Stewart

Eric and Kathy Stone

Chrystopher Terry

The Relief Gang

Megan Turner

James and Shannon Vultaggio

Corey and Maritza Woodard

Houston is one of 26 markets in the United States and Puerto Rico where Ford and its dealers have expanded their commitment to meet community needs by collaborating on programs and nonprofit outreach. The initiative, known as Operation Better World, was launched in 2008.

Ford Motor Company supports programs that make a positive difference in the neighborhoods and communities where the company does business. Other initiatives that have taken place in the Houston area include:

• Ford Dealers, Ford Motor Company and Ford Fund have committed more than $3.5 million in Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery efforts

• Ford Driving Dreams (FDD) program has donated 10,000 books to 10,000 children in need in partnership with First Book, and provided more than $100,000 in scholarships to 50 high school students. FDD award ceremony hosted in partnership with Ford Region and Dealers at the NASA Space Center

• Last April, Ford Fund hosted its Driving Skills for Life program with more than 227 teens with 226 parents participating

Overall, Ford has invested more than 25 million in community building initiatives since 2000 in the state of Texas.