FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

YUBA CITY FORD DEALER RECOGNIZED WITH PRESTIGIOUS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

 

President of Larry Geweke Ford earns Ford ‘Salute To Dealers’ award

 

YUBA CITY, Calif., January 13, 2009 – Second-generation Ford dealer Larry Geweke estimates thousands of women have received mammograms during his 12 years of promoting early detection of breast cancer in two northern California communities. As a result, the owner of Larry Geweke Ford in Yuba City, Calif. and Geweke Ford Mercury in Lodi, Calif. added, “I have been inspired by many survivors.”

 

What began in 1997 with sponsorship of a 5K Race for Awareness fundraiser has grown into eight events and a two-year-old foundation led by the health-crusading dealer. “We’ve seen a snowball effect throughout both communities that even reaches the local Air Force base,” explained Geweke, who made breast cancer awareness, treatment, research and survivor support his main charitable commitment because it is also a Ford Division campaign.  

 

In recognition of outstanding corporate citizenship, Geweke has earned a Salute To Dealers award from Ford Motor Company. He is among six North American dealer principals who will receive the ninth annual tribute at a ceremony held Jan. 23 preceding the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention in New Orleans. Honorees were selected from among 6,000 dealers across the United States and Canada for exhibiting unparalleled dedication to their communities.

 

“For nine years, Salute To Dealers has recognized some of the very best corporate citizens within the Ford Motor Company dealer network,” said Edsel B. Ford II, member of Ford’s Board of Directors. “Larry’s efforts provide living proof that despite challenging times, individuals of great character and generosity step forward and support their communities. We have been fortunate that for more than a century, Ford Motor Company has drawn strength from individuals of this caliber.”

 

The son of Daryl Geweke, a 43-year Ford dealer himself, Larry decided early in his career to target his efforts to support community needs. “A car dealer in a small community gets lots of requests,” Larry Geweke noted. “I wanted to focus on a meaningful impact for women and young people.”   

 

That impact is recognized through the community. “Larry is to be commended for his foresight and commitment to the people in our community,” said Carol Ramirez, a vice-president at Fremont-Rideout Health Group, a local partner in Geweke’s efforts. “He has made it possible for women in our community to feel secure about taking care of necessary financial needs during the difficult time of undergoing breast cancer treatment.”

 

In addition to health care work, Geweke provides assistance for scout troops, youth sports leagues, 4-H Clubs, anti-drug programs, the Special Olympics and monthly Youth Service Awards of $2,000 to $3,000. Donations benefit residents of Yuba and Sutter counties, 40 miles north of Sacramento, and the Lodi area, 30 miles south of the state capital.

 

“Pink October” Engages the Community

His prime passion is a series of yearly events united under the label Pink October that benefits the Geweke’s Caring for Women Foundation. The Foundation distributes grants of up to $2,000 each directly to breast cancer patients referred by agencies and social workers. Well over 100 local women have received help paying for medication, utilities, rent or mortgages and other needs. About $122,000 has been distributed since 2006. Events include a Survivor Fashion Show, golf tournament, Girls Night Out, Harley Ride, Bowling for Breasts, and the 5K Race for Awareness – now in its second decade.    

 

For the two-city Ford dealer, the mammogram campaign to keep women alive is just as important. Screening checkups, offered at a low cost to those in need, are provided by four allies in the Yuba Sutter area – Fremont-Rideout, Sutter North Medical Foundation, Sutter Buttes Imaging, and new in 2008, PeachTree Healthcare. Lodi’s low cost screenings are offered at St. Joseph’s Medical Center through their mobile mammography unit and Community Medical Centers, Inc. “The more women we screen, the better chance we have of detecting cases early and saving somebody’s life,” said Geweke. “In the end, that’s what it’s really about.”    

 

Much credit goes to Rena Mathews, who led the success of Pink October for 10 years as marketing director for Larry Geweke Ford. Now the legacy continues as daughter Kellie Geweke Sheeran, current marketing director for the dealership, oversees Pink October. Kelly Higgs, marketing director for Geweke Auto Group Lodi now leads Pink October operations in San Joaquin County.

 

Julie Eckardt of Sutter North Medical Foundation, who has worked with all three generations of Gewekes, praised “their instrumental role in Pink October.” She added: “Larry Geweke and his family set the bar high as community philanthropists. They’ve raised awareness and access to early detection services throughout the community.”

 

For his part, Geweke welcomes the ability to make a difference. “The support we get from the community deserves something in return,” he explained. “It’s part of our business culture and just makes sense.”

 

An Important Ford Motor Company Tradition

Salute To Dealers is conducted under the guidance of Edsel B. Ford II, a member of Ford’s Board of Directors. The program was launched in 2001 to demonstrate the company’s commitment to its thousands of dealer principals who step beyond their showroom doors to make a difference where they live and work. Each honoree will be recognized at a reception held Jan. 23 preceding the four-day National Automobile Dealers Association Convention in New Orleans.

 

Edsel B. Ford II and four other judges selected winners from a field of 60 nominees located in 26 states and two Canadian provinces based on community service activities, length of participation and personal motivation. Regional representatives for all Ford Motor Company brands – Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, and Mazda – submitted nominations. 

 

A painted portrait of each honoree will have a montage of philanthropic and volunteer activities that led to the award. Duplicates of the portraits will join a Salute To Dealers display in the lobby of Ford’s World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan for year-round viewing.