UAW-Ford Donates $1.8 Million for State-of-the-Art Baseball Field

DETROIT -- June 15, 2015: UAW-Ford today celebrated the opening of a newly remodeled ballpark in Detroit, dedicated to the late William Clay Ford Sr. The state-of-the-art field includes renovated pitching and batting cages, new bleachers, a digitized scoreboard, scenic landscaping, new lighting and restrooms.

UAW-Ford donated $1.8 million for the project, which is part of an ongoing partnership with several community organizations, including Woodbridge Community Youth Center. This joint initiative is representative of UAW-Ford’s ongoing commitment to helping strengthen and improve neighborhoods where its members live and work by giving back to those communities.

“UAW-Ford strongly believes investing in our youth is key to building a better Detroit and a bright future for generations to come,” said Jimmy Settles, UAW-Ford vice president. “We share this commitment with the Ford family to build strong communities. Consequently, we are proud to invest in the neighborhoods in which our members work and live.”

Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company, accepted the dedication on behalf of his family. “Dedicating the ballpark to my father is a great way to honor his memory and carry his legacy forward,” he said. “My father embodied the spirit of Detroit, and he was committed to making a difference in the lives of children in this city and beyond.”

“This ball field is an incredible new centerpiece for the Woodbridge community – drawing visitors and teams both locally and regionally from across the state to Detroit,” said Mike Wilson, executive director, Woodbridge Community Youth Center ACTS program. “It has infused an enormous amount of excitement, fresh conversation and constant traffic. I believe the facility will motivate and captivate a new generation of baseball players and enthusiasts throughout our community for many decades to come.”

Last year, UAW-Ford donated nearly $2 million to renovate Detroit’s Balduck Park on the city’s east side, an initiative to provide a safe recreational environment for local youth and communities. Now, UAW-Ford continues its community improvement efforts to help enhance the quality of life for residents and members in the Woodbridge neighborhood.

“We are excited to bring a new park into another Detroit neighborhood,” said Bill Dirksen, vice president, Labor Affairs, Ford Motor Company. “Just as UAW-Ford did last year with the renovation of UAW-Ford Field at Balduck Park, we are honored to provide another state-of-the-art ballpark for members of the Woodbridge community to enjoy.”

UAW-Ford has a long history of giving back. In addition to building strong vehicles, UAW-Ford also helps to build communities. Last year, UAW-Ford community service projects included:

Refurbishing Balduck Park in Detroit’s East English Village
Donating 20,000 holiday food boxes
Skills training for U.S. military veterans
Free mammogram screenings
Raising funds for charities, such as March of Dimes, and JDRF
Providing mentoring opportunities for Detroit-area youth
Offering emergency response training for its members
Working with Habitat for Humanity