Hoffpauir Ford Mercury continues support of FFA

Hoffpauir Ford Mercury Inc. of Lampasas is joining Ford Motor Company in its ongoing commitment of $1 million in annual support to the National FFA Foundation, said Rick Pickard of the local auto dealership.

In 2008, Ford Motor Co. will provide substantial support for the 81st National FFA Convention in Indianapolis and the FFA Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.

In addition, Ford has committed to an 11th year of the Built Ford Tough collegiate scholarship program, which will award up to 700 FFA members with a $1,000 college scholarship, each co-sponsored by Ford dealers like Hoffpauir Ford Mercury Inc.

Ford has supported the National FFA Foundation since the first FSeries truck was introduced in 1948, and has sponsored the Built Ford Tough collegiate scholarship program since 1997.

The program, equally funded by Ford Motor Company and Ford dealers, has awarded more than $4 million in scholarships to over 3,650 FFA members.

Hoffpauir has sponsored the Built Ford Tough college scholarship program for Lampasas High School for four years. For the 2007-08 school year, they are helping one local student attend the college of their choice.

FFA members must take their scholarship application to Hoffpauir Ford Mercury Inc. for the dealer signature and the official dealer code to be included in the scholarship search. Applications are then sent to the National FFA for final judging and selection. As a result, FFA members get to personally meet and thank the dealer that could possible help fund their college education.

"We're pleased to be able to support the local FFA, as well as Ford Motor Company's support of the National FFA Foundation," said Pickard. "All of the FFA scholars we have sponsored have told us how grateful they are for the support, and how the FFA experience has changed their lives."