Ricart Ford Receives Ford Motor Company’s 2016 Salute to Dealers Award for Commitment to Community
March 23, 2016- Ricart Ford selected as one of three nationwide recipients of Ford’s 2016 Salute to Dealers Award
- Ricart Ford supports several Columbus area charities and fundraising events, including Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio and Musicians Against Childhood Cancer Bluegrass Festival
- Family-owned and operated, Ricart Ford and the Ricart Mega Mall in suburban Columbus puts employees first and provides more than 500 jobs
COLUMBUS, OHIO, March 23, 2016 – Ricart Ford is selected to receive the 2016 Salute to Dealers award by Ford Motor Company. Chosen as one of only three award recipients in the United States, Ricart Ford consistently demonstrates Ford’s unwavering commitment to the community by supporting numerous Columbus area charities. Ricart Ford will be recognized with this prestigious honor at a special ceremony on March 31, 2016 in Las Vegas, coinciding with the National Automobile Dealers Association annual convention.
Founded in 1953, family-owned and operated Ricart Ford has established a legacy within the Columbus community. Current president and CEO, Rhett Ricart follows in his father’s, Paul Ricart, footsteps in supporting hundreds of members of the Columbus community. In addition to his dealership and its community initiatives, the Ricart Mega Mall in suburban Columbus supports more than 500 employees and many Columbus charities.
“My legacy in this business is not going to be how many Ford vehicles I sell. My legacy in the business is going to be how many lives I have been able to change,” said Rhett Ricart.
The Ricart’s love of music inspired them to support the annual Musicians against Childhood Cancer Bluegrass Festival where 100 percent of the proceeds go to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis. Ricart Ford is also a major contributor to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio in downtown Columbus.
“Rhett is a genuinely caring and community oriented guy. He is behind the scenes and is everything that you would want someone who is a business leader in the community to be. He cares about this community and he uses the influence that he has to make a difference,” said Ryan Wilkins, Senior Director of Communications at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.
By valuing its customers and employees, Ricart Ford grew to be the number one retail Ford dealership in the U.S. for more than 15 years.
“Dad always said you take care of your customers or someone else will, but the most important people you have are your employees because they take care of those customers each day,” said Ricart.
Ford’s Salute to Dealers awards recognize dealers who go above and beyond when it comes to giving back to the communities in which they live and work. They are being recognized for exhibiting unparalleled giving, dedication and leadership to their communities. As part of the award, Ford Motor Company Fund is donating $10,000 to a charity the dealer supports.
Ford commissions a painted portrait of each honoree featuring a montage of philanthropic and volunteer activities that led to the award. Duplicates of the portraits will join a Salute to Dealers display in the lobby of Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich.
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 197,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com
Contact: Nik Ciccone
512-216-8454
Nicholas.Ciccone@DirectImpact.com
What’s In a Name?
February 11, 2015By Darla Stover
Pavers are a just one great way to leave your legacy at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House
As I walk the halls of the Ronald McDonald House, I am amazed every day at the support coming from the Columbus community. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio is so fortunate to be located in such a philanthropic city. As of October 2014, the 1.8 million people in the Columbus Metropolitan Area gave $1.08 billion to charity. The philanthropic spirit of Columbus is very evident at RMHC.
Throughout the House are the names of companies, foundations, individuals and organizations that have chosen to become a permanent part of the Ronald McDonald House. On the guest rooms are names of both permanent and annual supporters of the House. The maze of hallways and 137 guest rooms proudly boast the names of those who have chosen to become long-term supporters of RMH. The rooftop patio overlooking the courtyard holds pavers with meaningful quotes, memorials, company logos, volunteers, families and individuals that have left a legacy atop the expansion.
Throughout the courtyard, gardens and play space, large rocks with supporters names inscribed in them dot the landscape. These donors were instrumental in leading a successful capital campaign to build the expansion that opened in September 2014. The hallways themselves, as well as the community rooms, boast of the donors who adopted them.
These people who walk through the front doors of the Ronald McDonald House immediately feel the energy of the supporters-families, volunteers, corporations, foundations, individuals, groups and staff members. How can I help? What can I do? What can I give? These are questions we hear all the time at RMH. The partnerships and friendships created at the Ronald McDonald House are long-lasting, meaningful and impactful. Corporate partners extend their reach to their foundations, employees and clients. Individuals invite friends from their social circles and associates from their work to be a part of this community of families all caring for their hospitalized children at their home-away-from-home.