Ford fundraiser fuels future field trips and other extra-curricular activities for local students

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Castle Ford and local mascots at the Drive 1 4 UR School event
C. Davis photo

Note: Castle Ford is still accepting people who come in to test drive until tomorrow, October 4.

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Castle Ford held a very successful "Drive 1 4 UR School" event on Saturday, September 29 at the Ranchland Mall parking lot in conjunction with Ford Canada, the Matthew Halton Booster Club, and the Friends of St. Michael's.

Ford Canada is donating $20 per test driver to be split between the two schools.  The weather was perfect, and an abundance of volunteers made for a smoothly running event.  More than 230 rest drivers came out, and Castle Ford is extending the offer to test drivers until tomorrow, October 4 at their show room.  The big pickup trucks, replete with chrome, were a popular choice, but several vehicles representing much of the Ford lineup were available.  Being a practical man, I tried the Fiesta, which has evolved nicely from the model I tested out several years ago.  Comfy, even for a guy my size, with a nicely distributed package of electronic trimmings.

Volunteers sat in the passenger seat and pointed out the appointed course, and mascots for Co-op, Matthew Halton School, and St. Michael's School helped make the event feel festive while illustrating its purpose.  The weather co-operated, with clear blue skies and warm temperatures prevalent throughout the day.

According to Lorraine Bruder, one of the organizers, "Our school systems can not support some activities like they used to therefore the objective of both the Mathew Halton Booster Club and Friends of St. Michael's School is to enhance educational opportunities and support educational experiences for all our students.  Along with supporting extra-curricular activities like sports, the arts, leadership and citizenship, both organizations assist with funding for buses which becomes a big help for teams and teachers taking students on field trips."

Organizers thanked Castle Ford and Ford Canada for holding the event, Tim Hortons for providing coffee, the Pincher Creek Co-op for the use of their parking lot and their donation of food and a barbeque for the concession, Volker Stevin for the use of their pylons, the volunteers that helped make it happen, and the test drivers who came out to support the event.

Updated October 3