Dearborn, Michigan - Thousands of Ford Motor Company employees have volunteered for projects on six continents for the third annual Ford Global Week of Caring.

From September 6 to 14, Ford employees and retiree volunteers will build homes, renovate shelters and feed the hungry. More than 8,000 volunteers will work on more than 175 projects in local communities worldwide, totalling more than 24,000 man-hours in community service. During the week, volunteers will repair an orphanage in Mexico, construct houses in the Philippines, perform maintenance on a children’s home and school in South Africa, and paint and decorate a centre for orphans in Vietnam.

“Our employees and retirees continue to answer the call and help with energy and enthusiasm,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “These are challenging times for community service organizations, and Ford is dedicated to using its volunteer muscle to do some of the heavy lifting needed to make the world a better place.”

About 40 Ford volunteers kicked off the week by building Habitat for Humanity homes in a “Blitz Build” in Detroit. This year, as part of the week, non-profit agencies in the U.S. will also benefit from a Ford Accelerated Action Day on September 11, the first time that volunteer efforts will be expanded and coordinated nationally.