SILVER LAKE — Ford Division and Kerlin Motors are introducing new products to consumers in a unique way that not only helps raise awareness and consideration for the Ford brand but also helps support community schools. Participants in the “Drive 4UR School” program can test-drive Ford vehicles and help raise much-needed funding for Boomerang Backpacks. 

The Boomerang Backpack program is a free weekend food distribution program that provides students enrolled in free/reduced lunch programs a backpack filled with healthy foods for the weekend. 

For each test-drive taken at the one-day events, Ford & Kerlin Motors will give $20, up to a total of $6,000.

Kerlin Marketing Director Nick Prentice said, “This is a unique way to showcase a variety of Ford products in a low-pressure setting while also demonstrating our dedication to helping the community.”

Prentice says the success of the “Drive 4UR School” program is driven by strong collaboration between the dealership and partnering high schools. 

This grassroots approach to helping the schools and marketing enables Ford and Kerlin to reach the community in a completely new way.  Kerlin Motors is planning on having 300 test drives beginning at 5:30 p.m., just before the Tippecanoe Valley High School football game and going until 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2. Special group are going to begin earlier in the day and can schedule groups by appointment.