Ford Motors program raises money for PCHS

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May 15, 2010

By TRICIA NEAL, Staff Writer

Somerset — Saturday was a perfect day for driving — and several local individuals did just that for a good cause.

Visitors to Alton Blakley’s U.S. 27 dealership on Saturday were given the opportunity to test drive any of six 2010 vehicles and to fill out brief surveys sharing their thoughts about the vehicles they drove. In exchange for their time — which only required about 15 minutes — the Ford Motor Company donated $20 to Pulaski County High School.

The event was called “Drive One 4UR School,” and benefited not only PCHS, but also the Alton Blakley dealership, which gained potential customers by the dozens as the general public, parents, students, staff — and even PCHS principal Rob Bowers and newly-named county school superintendent Steve Butcher — showed up to participate in the incentive.

The money raised, said PCHS curriculum specialist Jackie Rogers, will be used for rewards, celebrations and trips not paid for with state-allocated funds.

By mid-day Saturday, more than 60 individuals had participated. Ford Motor Company would pay for as many as 300 test drives.

The event was promoted on the school’s Web site, on radio commercials, and on Web sites such as Facebook and Myspace by members of the school’s marketing class.

Students involved in Americorps and the school’s National Honor Society worked two-hour shifts throughout the day, assisting participants with their surveys.

“I think it’s great that we have so much community support for our schools,” said PCHS teacher Frank Masel, who had just test driven — and was very impressed with — a Ford Flex.

“We’re glad to be able to host this,” said Brad Gover of Alton Blakley Ford. “It’s a good opportunity for our community to experience the Ford brand and, in turn, help the county school system.”