You can help the Manistee Chippewa 350 Athletic Boosters Club earn up to $6,000 by participating in a virtual “Ford Drive 4 UR School” event sponsored by Manistee Ford and Ford Motor Company. For this first-of-its-kind event, members of the community can support the 350 Club by simply taking a virtual test-drive of a Mustang Mach-E, Bronco Sport or F-150. For every virtual test-drive taken, Ford Motor Company will donate $20 to the Chippewa 350 Club up to $6,000.
“We were thrilled when Manistee Ford reached out to us about partnering on this event,” said Mark Sandstedt, President of the 350 Club. “Obviously with the pandemic, it has become nearly impossible for non-profits like ours to raise money via normal fundraising activities.” Sandstedt added that the 350 Club was not able to hold their annual Hall of Fame Dinner and Auction last April. “Missing that event had a big impact on our finances, since we generate about half of our annual funds at that event,” said Sandstedt. “We have it scheduled for Saturday, April 17, 2021, but like everything else is up in the air right now.” The event will be held at the Manistee VFW.
Ford developed the “Drive 4 UR School” program to help local schools and non-profits supplement their fundraising efforts. To date, Ford Dealerships across the United States have helped raise more than $50 million. “This virtual event is our way of adapting our desire to help the 350 Club raise money during the pandemic,” said Rob Pepera, General Manager at Manistee Ford. “Our previous, in-person test-drives have been very successful and well-received by the community. We are happy we can help and hope people will jump on board with this,” added Pepera.
Taking the virtual test drive is easy and convenient. You must pre-register by going to: https://d4ur.com/977R4. Then on Thursday, December 17, 2020, log in and choose the vehicle you wish to test drive. From there, it will take about 15 minutes to complete the process and the 350 Club will receive a $20 donation for each person who takes the test drive. There’s no purchase necessary and participants must be 18 years of age or older with a valid driver’s license. Limit one donation per person and one donation per household.
“This is a great opportunity for the community to get behind our organization and help us help our kids,” said Sandstedt. “The virtual test-drive will, literally, take 15 minutes and I would be thrilled if we could raise the whole $6,000. That would be huge.” For more information, please contact Mark Sandstedt of the 350 Club at (231) 723-9097 or Rob Pepera of Manistee Ford at (231) 723-9975.