Terry Berry Ron Marshall Helen McLaughlin Ford Volunteer Corps February Volunteer of The Month Salaried Pensions-Site Benefits

Imagine having a neighborhood park and school surrounded by open space. And then a large condominium development is built at one end and a housing project at another end, followed by plans for a large residential housing project that would abut another portion of the park as well as the adjacent school.

That was the situation facing residents of the Fontainebleau neighborhood, a diverse community of approximately 10,000 people in Windsor, Ont. In response to community concerns that the park was being choked off by large developments and would one day be considered expendable, Ford employees Ron Marshall and Helen McLaughlin co-founded the non-profit Friends of Fontainebleau which, among other activities, began raising money to purchase the land from the developer.

“Under Ron's leadership, not only did our group fight city hall and win – freeing up green space for our community – but we then joined efforts with the Windsor Public Library Board and plans were soon under way to have our own Fontainebleau library built on that site – in a neighborhood that was sadly lacking community amenities,” McLaughlin said.

Marshall has since retired, but his continuing work with the group led McLaughlin to nominate him for Ford Volunteer of the Month honors. “It is strictly through Ron's leadership skills that the Friends of Fontainebleau has come so far in our fund-raising efforts. He is a natural leader/motivator for not only our group, but for the entire community.”

Marshall, Ford’s February Volunteer of the Month, says they found allies in the principal and students at the affected school and together persuaded the city to reject the residential project and committed to raising half of the $430,000(CA) the developer wanted for the land.

Under Marshall’s leadership, the group began a series of fund-raising efforts. “We conducted barbeques and vacation lottery draws, raffled off NHL autographed jerseys and in 2001 conducted our first walk-a-thon, Walk for Literacy. These walks were our biggest money raisers. Our last walk raised more than $17,000.”

The group successfully lobbied for a library to be built on the site and, Marshall says, committed to providing funds for items not covered in its annual budget. Under Marshall’s leadership, students and the Friends of Fontainebleau are also working with the city on park improvements.

One constant Marshall cites is the help provided by colleagues at Ford, who not only participated in the projects but also volunteered to help run the events. “Our fund-raising efforts could not have been reached without the support of our co-workers at Ford Windsor. They were supportive in every fund-raising function we did. I truly believe that the Ford Windsor site, and its employees, is the most generous workplace in the world.”

Marshall said CAW Local 200, to which he belongs, donated more than $20,000 to the fund-raising efforts. The library’s Internet café is named the CAW Local 200 Technology Centre.

Before retiring, Marshall co-chaired the Windsor Engine Plant’s United Way campaign for many years and continues to work with plant employees on their annual charity golf tournament. He’s also involved in a junior golf program.

Despite all of his activities, Marshall says he never expected to be named a Volunteer of the Month. “While working, I always took the time to read about Ford employees who have received this award, and it always made me proud to be a Ford employee. Now to be recognized by the Ford Volunteer Corp is truly humbling.” Marshall also expressed his gratitude to Executive Chairman Bill Ford. “I want to personally thank Bill Ford for his commitment to all Ford volunteers through the establishment of the Ford Volunteers Corp. The Ford family has always promoted and supported its employees in giving back to the community.”

Noting that Windsor Engine employees engage in numerous charitable functions, Marshall highly praised his former colleagues. “I share this award with all my fellow co-workers at Ford Windsor, as there are hundreds of employees here that do as much or more for their community than I do.”

Hourly and salaried Ford employees and retirees across the globe are candidates to receive the global Volunteer of the Month award. The award recognizes the efforts of individuals and groups who go to extraordinary lengths to help improve the lives of others and make the world a better place.

Previous winners include an individual who delivered food to elderly shut-ins, a woman who served as a foster mother to 22 children, and the man who led rebuilding efforts on behalf of Ford after the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia.

The award was established by Executive Chairman Bill Ford, who founded the Ford Volunteer Corps in February 2005 and signs each award, writing a personal message to each honoree.

The Volunteer Corps named its first Volunteer of the Month in August 2005.