Ford along for the ride in cross-Canada trip continued from p.1 "The values of Free the Children and what they do are so aligned with everything that is so true to Ford. Supporting children, supporting communities, is not just being about one charitable organization. This just allows us to really amp up everything that we do." Through the partnership, Ford is serving as the co-title sponsor of the We Create Change Tour, Free the Children's 10-week, 90-stop road trip across Canada. The tour, which began April 11 and continues until June 17, will see Free the Children ambassadors visit students and schools across the country and share incredible stories of young Canadians, who are working to provide their peers in developing communities overseas with access to education. The hope is the tour will inspire other young people to engage in causes they care about. "By partnering with a company like Ford, that has a presence in so many communities across Canada, we can help even more young people realize their dream of creating a positive change in their schools, hometowns and around the world," said Marc Kielburger, Free the Children co-founder. "Whether it's a neighbourhood bake sale raising money for the local food bank or a schoolwide carnival in support of education overseas, we are looking forward to seeing how youths, schools and community groups will be able to make an even larger impact, thanks to Ford." To encourage youths to strive for these important impacts, Ford has implemented the Drive 4 UR School program. Ford Director of Marketing Connie Fontaine said that with the help of local Ford dealerships, schools can amplify their fundraising events by including a special Ford test drive for the community. mond Hill activist Hannah Alper who created a blog CallMeHannah.ca at age nine to share her concerns about the environment. She has served as a World Wildlife Federation (WWF) Earth Hour team captain, organized a shoreline clean up in her community and helped launch Free the Children's We Create Change campaign by motivating her peers to collect 97,500 pennies for clean water projects. Toronto's Spencer West is also participating in the tour. West, who lost his legs at age five, showed that with enough determination anything is possible when he tackled Mount Kilimanjaro in 2011. He raised $500,000 for water projects in Kenya in the process. In 2013, he embarked on a 300-kilometre walk on his hands and in his wheelchair from Edmonton to Calgary to raise money for Free the Children's Water Initiative. To assist West as he now makes his crosscountry road trip, Ford has donated a custom 2014 Ford Escape, which has been specifically outfitted with hand controls for brake and acceleration pedals so West can drive it. "I was truly moved and humbled at such a generous gift," said West. "To be able to represent you guys and take this across Canada is a huge honour." For more information about Free the Children, visit www.freethechildren.com. 5 | Friday, May 9, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Free the Children co-founder Marc Kielburger, in back at left, and Ford of Canada President and CEO Dianne Craig, centre, with, in front, We Create Change Ambassadors Spencer West and Hannah Alper, and Canadian band Neverest members, from left, Spyros `Spee' Chalkiotis, Paul Loduca, and Greg Keyes, are pictured Wednesday as Ford announced it is partnering with Free the Children. | photo by David Lea Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) Ford's decision to partner with Free the ChilFor every qualified test drive that's completed at the event, Ford will donate $20 to the school, dren was well received by the We Create Change Tour ambassadors, who also stopped by at the up to $6,000. Other actions Ford will take to promote Free presentation as part of the road trip. The ambassadors included 11-year-old Richthe Children are still being arranged, but as Craig points out, Ford offers plenty of support on which the charity can draw. "We have 17,000 employees across Canada at our dealerships, we have another 6,000-7,000 people at Ford of Canada and then you throw in the families," she said. "That's a lot of people. Think what we can do working together to build a better world and create change." DENTISTRY FOR CHILDREN means... Reassuring appointments geared to your child's self-esteem and confidence Interlocking Tumblestone, Retaining Walls, Garden Installation, Sodding & Excavating, Call for FREE Estimate ... THE WHOLE CHILD FIRST Conservative treatment of dental cavities. Bottle cavities treatment and oral habits management. ...A NON TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE. ... 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