Drive with a FOCUS

By: Katie Peterson
Posted 8/16/17

Want to get behind the wheel of a new vehicle and raise money for local youth? Prescott Brothers Ford has teamed up with Focus House to offer Drive 4 UR Community.

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Drive with a FOCUS

Posted

ROCHELLE –– Want to get behind the wheel of a new vehicle and raise money for local youth? Prescott Brothers Ford has teamed up with Focus House to offer Drive 4 UR Community.
The charitable test drive will be held Saturday, Aug. 19 during the Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival.
For every free no obligation test drive Ford will donate $20 to Focus House Foundation. Ford will donate up to $6,000, equaling a total of 300 test drives.
Prospective buyers or those looking for a free ride can test drive one of 10 new vehicles downtown Rochelle from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Test drives will be set up near the former Hallmark building. Each ride will last approximately five minutes and will go along a designated course.
Drivers will have the option to test drive a Ford: Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Taurus, Escape, Explorer, Edge and F150.

“This was extremely successful last time we raised over $6,000 for Focus House,” Chad Young, Prescott Brothers Ford general manager, said.
Young encourages community members to come test drive adding, “not only do you get the opportunity to look at new makes and models but you are also helping Focus House.”
The Foundation for Focus House and Community Programming exists to receive and administer contributions, gifts, memorials and bequests for the exclusive purpose of enhancing programming at Focus House and offering community programs that enhance, enrich and supplement individuals involved in Court Services.  The Foundation also allows Court Services to apply for grants and participate in forms of fundraising other wise not available.
The creation of the Foundation was recommended by the Focus House long-range planning committee in 2004 and the Foundation was officially established in February 2005. The Foundation continued to grow from year to year. By 2013, the Foundation had greatly expanded to better serve the increasing needs of youth and families in Ogle County, in a response to this growth the Board of Directors voted to change the name to The Foundation for Focus House and Community Programming.
Dave Tess, foundation president, explained the main focus of the focus house foundation is currently to purchase land near the existing facility on Route 251. The additional land will be used to build a new residential hall.
Foundation boards members will be on hand during the Drive 4 UR Community fundraiser to answer questions. Board members will also guide test drivers along the designated route.
“This is one of our biggest fundraisers. We have done this in the past, and it’s a great effort by Prescott Brothers Ford to help us do this. The dealership has always been a great partner to Focus House and the Ogle County kids,” said Tess.
Advance sign up is not required for a test drive and community members are encouraged to get behind the wheel of a Ford on Saturday downtown.
Young explained Ford Brothers Prescott decided to raise money for Focus House Foundation due to the benefit the center provides for youth.
“Everything they are doing down there is a big help for the community and the kids of Ogle County,” added Young.