Ford employees hit the gridiron at Ford Field during the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s annual A Touch of Football fundraiser held Jan. 31.
Dearborn Truck Plant’s undefeated squad beat out more than 30 teams, reclaiming the championship and a Lombardi look-alike trophy.
The fundraiser raises awareness and funds for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis research in children and adults. The two conditions, often invisible illnesses, affect nearly 1 in 100 Americans.
Ford’s engagement has already raised more than $209,000 this year for the foundation. This year also marks a major milestone for the fundraiser, with $1,148,000 raised to date. Of that amount, $800,000 has come from Ford’s participation, which began in 2018. Dearborn Truck's team contributed nearly $5,000 on its own toward the total through a couple of local fundraising efforts held at the plant last fall.
Rima Jasser, global director of Lean and Six Sigma, has been a key leader in organizing the fundraiser and an active participant for years. Also at this year’s fundraiser was Theron McGee, North America Ford Production System manager and an active participant in the event. McGee was diagnosed with Crohn’s nearly two decades ago.
During the event, 375 Ford hourly employees from multiple Detroit-area plants, along with manufacturing leaders and corporate partners, made up about two-thirds of the 35 teams taking part. The teams were cheered on by 767 spectators.
“I love this event,” said Matthew Arnaudo, Ford Global Security Team lead, who was in attendance. “We always talk about ‘Big Ford’ acting like ‘Big Ford’ on the shop floor or at World Headquarters in corporate offices, but this counts, too. All of these teams are coming together to support a good cause.”
Arnaudo added that the event also allows employees to see old friends and coworkers.
Deon Willis, assistant plant manager at Dearborn Truck Plant, said the fundraiser is not only a wonderful cause to support, but it also lets Ford employees show off their athletic prowess.
“We have a lot of ex-athletes,” said Willis, who added that many employees aspire to be of service and want to inspire others to do the same. “What better cause than the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation? It's become something we look forward to every year.”
