Friends and Neighbors Serving Friends and Neighbors
We are a community of engaged and interesting friends and neighbors who love being a part of Ford, the local community, and Savannah. We follow the generous tradition that Henry Ford began many years ago by donating not just financial support to many worthy causes and organizations, but by generously sharing our knowledge and experience with the local community.
We are a valuable part of our community—a place where our members and employees have chosen to call home—and we are proud of our contributions to it! Read about the special events we host on property and how we serve our surrounding area.
Fish with Friends Celebrates Special Kids
Fish with Friends is a day devoted to bringing special needs children from Bryan County onto Ford property for a morning of fishing, followed by lunch, entertainment, and trophy presentations. Fish with Friends reveals the unselfish generosity and the true care and commitment of Ford members to this extraordinary group of kids.
Donations to Local Efforts Enriches Our Community
A steady stream of donations goes out to schools, churches, community service organizations, Way Station Food Pantry, and Goodwill—not to mention the countless other charities quietly supported with individual gifts. Each Christmas, our members work with Bryan County Family Connection to provide assistance for those less fortunate by buying clothes and toys for local families. Here, Ford members and volunteers are shown helping to restore The Prayer House, a historic local meeting place.
Support of Our Military Strengthens Our Ties
We have packaged up and sent hundreds of gift boxes to our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of our special partnership with the armed services personnel just down the road at Fort Stewart. We’ve organized a Valentine’s Day “Card/Letter Blast” for Fort Stewart Service Members—simple Valentine Cards to wish the soldiers a Happy Valentine’s Day or a letter of thanks for their service—anything to make a difference in these soldiers’ hearts. Our chefs have trained Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield soldiers for the Military Culinary Arts Competition. We also hire the local troops to help cater large events such as weddings.
Involvement in the Cultural Scene Enhances Savannah
We know how enriching a strong, thriving cultural scene is to a community, so our members support the Savannah Music Festival, Savannah Book Festival, Savannah Jazz Festival, Savannah Voice Festival, and Telfair Museums by serving on their boards, sponsoring programs, and promoting the good work of these organizations through our personal networks.
Educational Support Helps Local Kids Thrive
We host a First Green Field Day, an innovative environmental education outreach program that uses golf courses for hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning. Spearheaded by Golf Course and Grounds Maintenance Director Nelson Caron and supported by Naturalist Brittany Dodge, we welcome students from Richmond Hill Middle School for a fun-filled, educational outing.
For the past few years, Director of Golf Ryan Skipton has been helping local third-grade teacher John Parker build his golf-themed classroom, which he calls, “The Links at Richmond Hill Elementary.” Ryan has been giving him instructions and tips on how to teach golf to his students. Ford donated the pins, cups, and flags for his project, along with some balls and Ford swag. Mr. Parker has done a great job with his classroom and students, and this is another way we have helped promote the game of golf in the local community.
Tour de Ford Raises Heart Rates and Money for the Richmond Hill High School Band
For the past several years, we have hosted the Tour de Ford, a 10–mile race that allows runners to see the exquisite beauty that Coastal Georgia has to offer, while taking them past historic places used by Henry Ford and his family and friends. The run, which begins and finishes at The Main House, benefits the Richmond Hill High School Band.
Access to Golf Course Improves Local Teams
We regularly open up our golf course to the golf teams of Richmond Hill High School, Georgia Southern University, and Savannah State University. We work with Richmond Hill High School to maintain first-class turf at the home of the Wildcats after we took the lead on restoring the field.