And now I want to keep the momentum going, because giving back matters, and not just to the people and organizations we’re supporting. Volunteering also helps employees learn new skills, be a part of something bigger, and connect more deeply with their community, their company culture, and each other.
A small idea that went global
Ford Finance’s Global Day of Service began as a single team-building volunteer event, inspired by our Dearborn employees’ desire to reconnect after months of remote work during the COVID pandemic. That first event was such a positive experience that teams based in other locations joined in with their own projects the following year, and the program hasn't stopped growing since.
Two people deserve real credit for this momentum: Dennis Barrish, our Vehicle Assembly Operations Controller, and Mae Smitherman-Smith, Executive Director of Supply Chain Finance. They have led this effort with genuine heart from day one, turning it into a dedicated movement that now spans dozens of sites and thousands of volunteers.
This year, Ford Finance employees took part in 55 volunteer events in 14 countries. In total, 2,250 employees — about 60% of the organization — rolled up their sleeves to participate. It’s now a global tradition, sustained by passionate team members who choose to organize these events not because they are told to, but because they want to.
Why showing up matters
I believe volunteering with your team is a signal. It says plainly that giving back matters enough for all of us to be doing it together, shoulder-to-shoulder, no titles attached. When buy-in from the top is real, teams feel it, and participation follows.
