Ford donates $8,000 to Center Moriches HS

The Center Moriches High School raised $8,000 last weekend with the help of the Ford Motor Company.

Kim Nolan, president of the Center Moriches Athletic Booster Club, registered online for the Ford Drive One 4UR School fundraiser, after hearing about it a year and a half ago. The event allows people to test drive cars for free, while Ford donates money for each test drive.

“It’s a fantastic event and a win-win for everyone,” said Lou Caponi, 51, the general manager of Otis Ford who brought 13 cars to test drive and another 10 for display. “With such a tight budget, it helps the school avoid programs from being cut, and it is a great way to help out a community. We love to give back when we can.”

Nolan, 47, said the money raised Saturday in the parking lot of the Center Moriches Secondary School will go toward sports equipment, scoreboards, the student council, senior dinners and the Special Education PTA.

"We've raised more than we thought, $6,640, after 220 people test drove the Ford cars," Nolan said.

The total amount raised included a $1,360 donation by the Otis Ford dealership.

“It was very nice of them to do that, they are really wonderful,” Nolan said.

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Volunteer Jeannine Barr, 44, said for each person that test drove a vehicle, Ford donated $20, and if they test drove a Ford Focus, the school received an additional $10.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity,” said Barr. “It’s a win for the school and a win for Ford, and it has been a beautiful and perfect day for the event.”

Kathleen Rasso, 50, drove the Focus and the Edge, and loved them.

“It is a great thing they are doing. It is an easy way to raise money, and is much larger than your typical donation,” Rasso said. “And it didn’t cost me anything.”

Harry Wareing, 34, who drove the Mustang, said the event is a good idea.

“It is a great partnership between schools and other local businesses that help with what is most important, the future.”