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1999 East Powell Blvd. Gresham, OR 97080  |   503-665-0101  |   GreshamFord.com

Feed It Forward – Peanut Butter!

Next Saturday is the Gresham Arts Festival and it should be bigger and better than ever.  A great place and time to purchase from local artisans and also an opportunity to shop in Historic Downtown Gresham.   As someone who tries to go often to the Downtown Farmer’s Market, it seems like there is something new on Main Street weekly.  Billy Bob’s and Frenzi Yogurt now have new outdoor eating areas.  There is a new Pita Shop and a great new Mexican restaurant on 4^th Street.  We had a great breakfast last week at Wildwood Café.  And who can live without the Carmel Corn at I-Candy!

Ok, so how does Peanut Butter pay it forward?  Well, you bring Peanut Butter or any food/monetary donation to our booth at the Gresham Arts Festival (we will be located at the corner of 3^rd & Miller) and it will be given and matched to Snow Cap.  Then you will also be given a ticket to enter the “Bite of East County” on July 26^th FREE ($5 value) – when you turn your ticket in at the “Bite” Gresham Ford will donate $5 to Zarapath Kitchen who has been graciously feeding kids this summer who are without the school lunch program.

So, come celebrate the Gresham Arts Festival next Saturday and take a run thru the new fountain (I have not done this yet and can’t wait) – of course do not forget to “Feed It Forward!”  

Bless America this 4th of July

In 1922, Henry Ford organized a cross-country caravan of 50 Model T Fords to take veterans to the annual DAV convention in San Francisco and began a relationship with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization that continues to this day.

Ford’s philosophy of inclusion was shared by his grandson, Henry Ford II. Near the end of World War II, and especially in its aftermath, numerous wounded and disabled veterans were flooding back into the workforce. Henry Ford II understood that persons with disabilities, including returning veterans, wanted and deserved an equal chance to work and provided it. In fact, Henry Ford II was a founding member of the National Business and Disability Council, long before the U.S. government enacted laws requiring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. 

With the upcoming 4^th of July celebration I am reminded to be appreciative and give thanks to the service men and women of our great country.   The 4^th of July should not be about sales, barbeques or the three day weekend but rather the heroes whose lives were sacrificed so that we may enjoy your loves, our liberty and the freedom to pursue our dreams.  While you spend this 4^th of July weekend with your family please remember those families who have lost sons, daughters, husbands, wives, mothers and fathers while defending America.  Were it not for our brave veterans, there would be no land of the free.  Happy 4^th of July from Gresham Ford!

Thank you TIP of Portland and Vancouver

Gresham Ford's "Contribute to the Community" Program supports non-profits like TIP proudly

Thank you TIP!  There are no words to describe how deeply and sincerely we appreciate all of the wonderful people in our community for all the selfless acts on behalf of the students and staff at Reynolds High School.  Gresham Rotary made a generous donation to assist.  On Friday morning at the Gresham Area Chamberof Commerce A.M. event, sponsored by ServiceMasters, a warm and thoughtful prayer was given by retired Pastor Fuller and immediately after that event Christy Brewster and Sandra Forquer, each with their own careers, but take time to regularly volunteer with TIP (Trauma Intervention Program) were on their way to the Reynolds High School to assist with the emotions of students and teachers coming back to the school to clean their lockers or classrooms.  They have been trained to give emotional support in these situations and hats off to this great organization.  There are hundreds of others who have donated their time, talents and treasure to assist our community and please know that the difference you make – makes a difference. 

Thank you on behalf of our employees who had family members who were safely brought home.  Thank you to the countless others who stepped up in the days that have followed.

So, in that same light of making a difference, we are participating in the “Ford Peanut Butter Drive!”  It is part of Operation Better World and the Ford Focus (now that’s a nice car) on Child Hunger for 2014.  Why Peanut Butter?  Peanut Butter is a highly desirable staple for community food banks to feed kids, but it is expensive and thus difficult for them to acquire in the quantities needed during the summer months.  So at Gresham Ford this summer our goal is to help “Ford Feed Kids”!  Please join us by dropping off a jar of Peanut Butter at the Dealership - we will then match your jar!  It is a nutty idea but one that will make lots of kids smile.  And isn’t that what it is all about?  All donations will be delivered to our Food Bank partner for this promotion – SnowCap.

Summertime Fun in Gresham!

Are you looking for fun things to do with the family this summer? Well, if you live in or around the Gresham area, you will find that there is no shortage of fun, family friendly, inexpensive and entertaining things to do! From classic cars, food, arts and crafts, music and fresh local grown produce, you can find it all. Walking, biking, hiking or just enjoying some evening entertainment with family and friends, you’ll find the Gresham area has tons of summer fun to be had.

For example, Pharaoh’s Street Rodders Endless Summer Cruise in every Wednesday night, starting June
4th through September at Billy Bob’s right downtown Gresham. Third Thursday 5:30pm-8pm, an evening
of art, music and food featuring a different artist each month, beginning June 19th 2014 downtown Gresham. Skosh Japanese Festival III, 10am-4pm at the Japanese Garden in the Main  City Park. Music Monday at the Gresham Arts Plaza, every Monday starting July 7th 2014, 6:30pm-8pm. And don’t forget the annual Gresham Arts Festival, July 19th from 9am-5pm!

And then of course we have one of the best Farmer’s and Saturday Markets around, every Saturday,
downtown Gresham and the K-Mart parking lot from 8:30am-2pm! Some of the best local fruits,
veggies, grass fed beef, arts and crafts, music and fresh flowers you’ll find anywhere! And it’s all right here in Gresham!

There is so much going on, I don’t have enough room to list it all, so for the rest of the story, go to www.exploregresham.com! There’s just never a shortage of Summertime Fun here in Gresham!

America the Beautiful

Gresham Ford is extending the Memorial Day Sellathon

As we pass Memorial Day I am so grateful for all of those that have served in our military that we might enjoy the freedoms we take for granted.  In many parts of the world I would not be able to write this column.  Just yesterday I read a headline about a woman, in a Middle Eastern country that was stoned to death without the right of trial or due process.   And, as a woman, there was a time in this country when we did not have the right to vote.  So, I just want to take a moment to publicly acknowledge how blessed and fortunate we (speaking on behalf of all of us here at Gresham Ford) are to live in this country, this community at this time.  To thank all of those that have gone before us and sacrificed so much so we can enjoy so many freedoms we so often take for granted. 

On that very patriotic note, I encourage you to visit www.BuildingForAmerica.org.   This organization BBAC (Building a BetterAmerica Council) simply promotes that by making a few simple changes in our purchasing habits – particularly in the area of construction, we can make a big difference in “livable” wage job creation.  Very interesting!

And, lastly a bit of shameless self-promotion – Ford MotorCompany’s Memorial Day Sale is still going on with some of the best combination offers (0% with big rebates and other financing and trade-in incentives) I have seen in a long time.   So, if you do not like your current car payment or the wheels are about to fall off your current ride, please give us the honor of serving you – I promise a no pressure presentation of product and payment!

Asking for an Electronic "Like"

I have a real friend to an electronic/virtual one who, several years ago, suffered a stroke.  With a great a great medical team (thank you Adventist), modern rehab facilities, dedication and a positive attitude - tomorrow she celebrates a near recovery by participating in the American Heart Associations "Heart and Stroke Walk".  Joining her will be friends like me who will walk the 1 mile survivor route - there is also a 5K for those who are inclined.

Bess needs your help

Of course, there is a fundraising component to this event but the goal is "heart health".  She and I are having a little contest and right now she is ahead in the money raising department so here is my challenge to you.  This article will be posted on the Gresham Ford Facebook page and for each of you that hit the "like" button, we will donate $1 for the first 250 "likes" for this great health cause.  My friend has already raised over $100 because she has asked her real friends to each give her $1.  She is really a lovely lady with lots of real friends - so help me out here - Please be my electronic friend and hit the like button so I can show her I have friends too!

Better yet, if you would like to walk - just show up Saturday May 17th at 8:30am at the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade in Portland and walk with us.  Go to www.PDXheartwalk.org for more information.  Funds raised from the event will go to health related causes sponsored by the American Heart Association.  Thank you  for all your help.