Edsel B. Ford II to Be Honored and Livingston Taylor to Perform at Salvation Army's Annual Luncheon

NEW YORK, Dec. 1 -- Edsel B. Ford II a member of the Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company, will be honored by The Salvation Army of Greater New York at its 57th Annual Luncheon to be held on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004, 12 noon, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Manhattan.

Ford, who is very active in charitable causes, will receive The "Pinnacle of Achievement" Award, the highest honor bestowed by The Salvation Army's Greater New York Division.

The great grandson of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company, Edsel B. Ford II began his career at Ford Motor Company in 1974. He was named president and chief operating officer in 1991 and elected a company vice president in 1993. He currently serves the company as a consultant and is active in company affairs and corporate dealer relations.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Ford has contributed his time to many charitable endeavors. He has been particularly active with The Salvation Army, including his present role as Chairman of the organization's National Advisory Board.

In receiving the "Pinnacle of Achievement," Ford joins an elite group of honorees that includes; The Honorable Herbert Hoover, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Douglas MacArthur, Dr. Billy Graham, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, Cecil B. DeMille, President Lyndon B. Johnson, His Eminence Francis Cardinal Spellman, Helen Hayes, Bob Hope, Walter Cronkite, The Honorable Edward I. Koch, Mrs. Ronald Reagan, Barbara Bush, The Honorable Rudolph W. Giuliani, Julius Erving, Yogi Berra and The Honorable George E. Pataki, to name a few.

The Salvation Army's Annual Luncheon is one of New York City's great holiday traditions with an expected attendance of more than 1500 people. This year's event will be enhanced by a special performance by recording artist Livingston Taylor. Other music will be provided by The Salvation Army's internationally acclaimed New York Staff Band and the Greater New York timbrelists.

Emceeing the event will by Harry Smith, popular anchor for CBS-TV's "The Early Show."

A special video production, "Commitment Without Limits, Caring Without Boundaries," will highlight the diversity of The Salvation Army.

Delivering the Christmas Message will be Lt.-Colonel Nestor R. Nuesch, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army's Greater New York Division. Chairing the event will be John O. Hatab, Chairman of The Salvation Army's Greater New York Advisory Board.