Fourlane Ford has stepped up huge for youth in Innisfail and across the region.
The Innisfail dealership has donated $4,700 from its total September vehicle sales to support key youth programming that is offered locally and regionally by the Big Brothers Big Sisters Prairies To Peaks Association.
“That's fantastic,” said Sherry Dijkstra, the agency's new executive director of the donation that was presented last week. “I am just graciously surprised it was just that nice of a cheque because we do need the money right now and it will help us.”
Jeffrey Verhaeghe, general sales manager at Fourlane Ford, said his dealership donated $100 to Big Brothers Big Sisters from each of the 47 vehicle sales that were made in September.
“They are a great organization. They do a lot of stuff locally,” he said noting Lindsay Denham, the wife of dealership owner Jeff Denham, has been mentoring with the agency for more than 10 years. “She has been very involved. She is a Big Sister.
“It's not just the community giving to this program but it's to help the younger generation coming up that need it,” added Verhaeghe.
Dijkstra said Fourlane Ford's donation, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Month in September, will help support the agency's two primary mentoring initiatives in the community, including its in-school mentoring programs in Innisfail, Bowden, Spruce View and Penhold.
“Our in-school program provides one-on-one mentorship between a child and a qualified adult or teen for one hour weekly in school during school hours,” she said, adding the donation will sustain the vital program for the rest of the year.
“The community-based program fosters relationships between an adult and a child through weekly activities of interest to both,” she added. “Ultimately, mentorship is about providing positive role models for children and youth, encouraging them to pursue their education, avoid choices that will put them at risk, remain healthy and active, and become responsible citizens that give back to their community.”
Jeffrey Verhaeghe, general sales manager at Fourlane Ford
"They are a great organization. They do a lot of stuff locally. It's not just the community giving to this program but it's to help the younger generation coming up that need it."
