Ford test-drives brings in dollars for Wareham students

May 13, 2018

Wareham Ford had a simple deal for the community on Saturday: take a test drive and help out Wareham High School students.

Drivers had the chance to take five new Fords for a spin in the Town Hall parking lot as part of Drive 4 UR School. The Ford Motor Co.-sponsored fundraiser donated $20 to the high school’s DECA Club for each person that test-drove a vehicle. If a driver took a second test-drive, Ford donated an additional $10. The club, which prepares students for careers in marketing, hospitality and business, had the opportunity to earn $8,000 in total.

The money will help fund student trips to regional, national and international DECA competitions, said member and senior Sarah Gallagher.

“Fundraisers such as this are a huge help for students attending competitions,” she said. “It makes the difference between attending or not for some members.”

The club is robust with 125 members, roughly one-third of the school, she said.

Jeff Lees, of Wareham Ford, said Saturday’s event was the fourth one held over the past few years for DECA.

He noted it was a fun, low-pressure way for students to raise money.

“All you have to do is give 15 minutes of your time,” said Lees. “No one has to reach into their wallets to support the students.”