Take it Forward.™ The Henry Ford Effect Volume 3 | 2013 | Making an Impact Through Giving IN THIS ISSUE PAGE 2 Target’s Legacy of Generosity Benefits The Henry Ford Henry Ford’s Great-Great Grandson Has a Vision — and a Mission PAGE 3 PLAY Young Professionals Group Making a Difference Organized and Energized Photo credit: Ari Howrani \\ Spain School of Excellence Choir singing at the National Day of Courage. the organization of a young professionals group, focused on A letter from The Henry Ford President exploring many fundraising ideas, several of which are designed to introduce more children to The Henry Ford. Dear Friends: When it comes to literally introducing visitors to us, who better Staff Initiative: Provide a Spark That Could Change the World As we look forward to another spring at The Henry Ford, it is to do that than our wonderful cashiers at the area we call the “front of the house,” by the IMAX® Theatre? Their passion and belief in all my pleasure to pause for just a moment and share some wonderful PAGES 4-11 news about the year just passed, which was remarkable for us in so that we stand for translated into an amazing campaign in last year’s many profound ways. final quarter that made a significant impact on our number of school Nearly 2 million people visited us last year — the largest field trips. number of annual visitors in the history of the institution. While we Passion is a word that is virtually synonymous with Don and are delighted to see so many guests walk through our doors, we are Mary Kosch, whose gift has allowed a long-standing dream of ours just as excited by the number of individuals across the nation and to become a reality. For years we wanted to install a playground around the world who are becoming aware of The Henry Ford through that would be all encompassing, designed especially so that A Gesture of Devotion and Generosity our rapidly growing collection of online resources and content. children of all abilities could enjoy it. Enter the Kosch's, whose Thanks to your help, last year alone we digitized over 12,000 Dearborn Sausage Company has been a local institution since the Financial Report and Donor Roll artifacts! Over 20,000 are now available online, where our website 1940s and whose foundation is devoted to helping children with drew 3.3 million visits in 2012, an increase of nearly 40 percent over special needs. The instant they heard about our desire to make the PAGE 12 the previous year. Village Playscape a destination for all kids, they happily offered All of this is a testament to what The Henry Ford effect truly is: their support. We tell stories that chronicle our individual and collective challenges, Don reveals that his inspiration from the very beginning of the failures, doubts and, ultimately, triumphs. As those stories inspire project was Henry Ford himself. Like our founder, Don began his life us, they also allow us to find that spark within and fulfill the potential journey as another young man from Dearborn who never forgot the importance of the community that nurtured and shaped him, and he for greatness in ourselves. A Place in the Village for Any The stories of American innovation have the power to catalyze was humbled by the opportunity to give it something in return. Child to Enjoy people to act and to do something to create a better tomorrow for all Which brings us full circle to Al Uzielli, the newest member of of us. Earlier this year, our Day of Courage celebrated that American our board and the great-great grandson of Henry Ford. If anyone spirit and attitude with the 100th birthday of Rosa Parks, whose embodies the spirit and energy of The Henry Ford effect, it is Al, who courageous act on a city bus in the Deep South in 1955 helped to is truly on a mission on our behalf: “The world has to know about launch the civil rights movement in America. What an appropriate this place,” he says, “plain and simple.” and poignant way for us to continue the incredible success we Like his great-great grandfather, Al is doing all he can to enjoyed in 2012 into the new year! encourage the development of talent and the promotion of human In the following pages, you will see some wonderful examples of potential. If individuals can see themselves in our stories, perhaps how various benefactors are enabling The Henry Ford effect to take they’ll recognize their own ability to do something to change the root in a variety of ways. world. That is The Henry Ford effect. I begin with a grateful acknowledgement to all those who Michelle Andonian comprise our Donor Roll, which we’ve included in this edition of The Henry Ford Effect. Each and every one of our donors is so essential to our ability to stay true to our mission — to represent the Patricia E. Mooradian DID YOU great American stories and traditions of innovation, ingenuity and KNOW? resourcefulness and the people who built this country and made it The Henry Ford is sparking what it is. imaginations nationwide You will read about the commitment to arts education and with INNOVATION 101, an community engagement by our corporate partner Target, which has educational collaboration been underwriting a variety of free days at The Henry Ford for five with our country’s greatest years now. The company's generosity has allowed thousands of innovators, including Bill Gates, Dean Kamen guests, many of them children, to enjoy an experience that might and Steve Wozniak (above). otherwise have been unaffordable or inaccessible. An experience that might just inspire any one of them to ignite that inner spark — Learn more @ and change the world. ONINNOVATION.COM. Not so very long ago, Bethany Stawasz was one of those children, enchanted by The Henry Ford from the first moment she walked in, as a schoolgirl. She returned many times, at one point Photo credit: Ari Howrani \\ From left: Darlene Clark Hine, Patricia Mooradian and Steve Hamp engage in a panel even volunteering here as a summer intern. Now she’s spearheading discussion at the National Day of Courage. 2 The Henry Ford Effect Target’s thrilled to be partnering with this incredible institution. Our brand aligns very nicely with their focus on innovation and a strong reputation in the community.” Target’s Legacy of Generosity Benefits The Henry Ford PLAY Photo credit: Kristine Hass \\ A young guest exploring the Rosa Parks Bus. On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up commitment are Target-sponsored free days as well as “Our guests care more about K through 12 education her seat to a white man on a city bus in Birmingham, AL. ticket programs. Target sponsors more than 2,000 free than any other social issue,” Simpson says, “and education Her courageous act helped launch the revolution in America days and reduced-price performances at more than 100 is the primary focus for our giving. We have a variety of that became the civil rights movement. museums and performing-arts organizations across innovative programs designed to help U.S. kids read more On February 4, 2013, Rosa Parks’ 100th birthday, the country.” proficiently by the end of third grade. As a result of these a daylong celebration took place at The Henry Ford, As a result of the partnership, Target has paid for programs, Target’s on track right now to reach $1 billion in recognizing the milestone as a National Day of Courage. 102,000 admissions to The Henry Ford over the years, giving by the end of 2015, with a focus on reading.” And thanks to the Target Corporation, admission on a testament to the emphasis Target places on access Simpson brought his family to The Henry Ford for that day was free. and education. the Day of Courage and was able to see for himself how Since 2008, Target has partnered with The Henry Ford “At Target, community giving is and always has been a visitors, particularly children, respond to all there is to see to sponsor Target Family Days, which also fall on Martin cornerstone of our company,” says Jill Hornbacher, Target’s and learn. Luther King Day, Labor Day and Election Day. Senior Manager, Public Relations. “By offering free and “It was very rewarding to see all the looks on the “Target’s thrilled to be partnering with this incredible reduced-cost admission to cultural institutions like children’s faces,” he says, “whether it was interacting at institution,” says Kyle Simpson, Store Team Leader in The Henry Ford, we open their doors to more children an exhibit or just taking a look at some of the history. The Grand Rapids. “Our brand aligns very nicely with their focus and families.” vision of The Henry Ford very much aligns with our goals on innovation and a strong reputation in the community. Target’s impressive tradition of community around innovation as well as education. It’s a source of And by providing interactive educational experiences for engagement and corporate social responsibility began in pride not only for our team members but also as a hallmark individual students and families, their vision very much 1946, when the corporation began to donate 5 percent for our brand.” • aligns with Target’s vision. of its annual income to strengthen and support the local “We are committed to making art experiences more communities served by its stores. Today that amounts to affordable and accessible for families.