Ford donates vehicle to support Ricky Martin Foundation

With the funds raised through the Ford Focus raffle, the Ricky Martin Foundation will continue its different projects.

To help raise funds for several initiatives through the Ricky Martin Foundation, Ford Puerto Rico recently donated a Ford Focus, which will be raffled in May 2014 and will be on display at Plaza Las Américas in Hato Rey until the end of December.

With this donation, the company joins the mission of stopping child exploitation driven by philanthropist and Puerto Rican artist, Ricky Martin. The Ricky Martin Foundation was founded at a time when children around the world face bewildering situations that leave them vulnerable to human trafficking. Child labor, sexual and labor exploitation, prostitution, pornography, drug trafficking, and modern day slavery are some of the most heartbreaking manifestations of this crime, which foreshadows an epidemic crisis.

“We welcome Ford to our cause, stopping child exploitation in Puerto Rico and ensuring a free and dignified life for our children and youth. Thank you for joining our cause which would never be possible without allies like you,” said Martin.

Committed to its responsible corporate citizen actions, Ford Puerto Rico is present at the foundation’s pavilion at the mall’s second floor, which is free and open to the public. There, the foundation seeks to empower society about the existence of human trafficking, raises awareness and includes interactive features, testimonials, best practices and solutions to deter this crime. Tickets for the car giveaway are available at the pavilion, as well as Ponderosa restaurants and Supermax grocery stores.

With the funds raised through the Ford Focus raffle, the Ricky Martin Foundation will continue its different projects, among them the inauguration of the Tau Center in Loíza and the publication of its second- phase study about human trafficking in Puerto Rico, a long-awaited study.

“Our children are Puerto Rico’s future and their safety is our priority,” said Lorraine Urdaz, public affairs and communications manager for Ford International Business Development Inc., Caribbean and Central America. “We join the Ricky Martin Foundation’s mission and fight to abolish this crime that affects us as a society. We are certain that all the dedication and efforts will yield results.

Author Details

• Author Details

Michelle Kantrow-Vázquez

Author Details

Business reporter with 30 years of experience writing for weekly and daily newspapers, as well as trade publications in Puerto Rico. My list of former employers includes Caribbean Business, The San Juan Star, and the Puerto Rico Daily Sun, among others. My areas of expertise include telecommunications, technology, retail, agriculture, tourism, banking and most other segments of Puerto Rico’s economy.

mkantrow@newsismybusiness.com