Ford Drive 4 UR School and Drive 4 UR Community

PEKIN, Ill., – The Ford Drive 4 UR School program has been in existence since 2007. In 2012 Ford introduced its counterpart, Drive 4 UR Community. Both programs began as a way for Ford to showcase their vehicles while simultaneously helping to raise funds for schools and organizations.

Since the implementation of the Ford Drive 4 UR School and Drive 4 UR Community, $35 million have been raised to help benefit local communities in America.

How Does it Work?

Any school or community based organization is encouraged to enroll their event at FordDrive4UR.com. Currently, enrollment is closed, but it will reopen again in 2017. On the date of your event, a local Ford dealer will provide Ford vehicles for community members to test drive. For each eligible test drive, your school or organization will earn $20, up to a total of $6,000.

Who Can Participate? 

Anyone who is 18 years of age or older with a valid drivers license is eligible to participate in the test drive event. Students and organization members are encouraged to attend even if they do not meet this guideline.

How Does it Help?

The money donated to your school or organization can be spent in many ways! School budgets are tight, non-profit organizations are struggling. School supplies, pet supplies, sports equipment, and food pantry items are just a few things that a Ford Drive 4 UR School or Drive 4 UR Community event could help fund.

If you're interested in partnering with Ford to help benefit your local school or organization, be sure to keep an eye on next year's enrollment period! For more information or to get in contact with a representative, visit FordDrive4UR.com! While you wait for enrollment to open up, be sure to test drive your own Ford vehicle at Velde Ford Pekin! We'd love to have you stop by the dealership!

Located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Velde Ford of Pekin is committed to providing customers outstanding service. We want you to enjoy your car buying experience. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to stop by the dealership or visit our website at www.VeldeFordPekin.com. You can also reach us at (888) 221-2804. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Decorate Your Home for Fall

PEKIN, Ill., – It's finally fall and that means the weather is getting crisp and the days are getting shorter. You can make your home a little more cozy by decorating for fall! Whether it's scary Halloween decorations or fall flowers and pumpkins, take a look at our favorite ways to decorate your home for fall! For more information on how to complete these DIY projects, and for more ways to get your house looking like fall, check out our Velde Ford Pekin Pinterest page!

1. DIY Doormat

Paint your own personalized welcome mat with paint from the craft store! You could go for something a little less spooky, like pumpkins or leaves, or stick to the halloween theme! 

2. Crafty Mobile

Let the kids get involved by having them paint with fall colors on white paper. Cut out the shapes of leaves and attach them to a branch with fishing wire. Hang it on the wall or from the sealing to bring fall indoors!

3. Hanging Sunflowers

Using styrofoam balls and twine from the craft store, you can create these hanging sunflowers to decorate inside or outside of your home! Pick up some fake flowers and trim the stems to fit into the styrofoam.

4. Decorative Pinecones

If you want something a little different that the typical wreath to hang on the door, try decorating some pinecones and stringing them up to make a fall inspired decoration! If you can't find your own pinecones to decorate, the craft store should have plenty this time of year.

5. Creative Pumpkin Carving

We're sure you're going to want to carve pumpkins for Halloween, but switch it up this fall! You can use stickers and permanent markers to get this crafty haunted house look for your pumpkins!

We want your family to feel nice and cozy as the weather changes, so we hope our favorite DIY decoration projects will help you decorate your home for fall! Don't forget to keep your car nice and cozy as the air gets cool! Schedule a service appointment online and we can check out your heating system to make sure everything is working properly!

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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Ford Motor Company Collaborates with Girl Scouts of America

PEKIN, Ill., – Ford Motor Company's new collaboration with Girl Scouts Councils is creating encouraging atmospheres for young girls to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math related fields (STEAM). By introducing elementary school students to the Girls Fast Track Race program, collaborators feel it will provide girls with a creative environment to learn about high tech fields of study.

Four Girl Scouts Councils, Tropical Florida, Southeastern Michigan, Northeast Texas, and Northern New Jersey, have partnered with Ford, and participated in the Girls Fast Track Race program. The program provides a hands-on learning experience for 200 girls from each district, allowing them to learn about the automotive engineering industry, and build their own track race cars.

Ford's commitment to STEAM education corresponds with their desire to inspire and educate young students. This collaboration is just one of the many programs now being offered through www.fordsteamexperience.com. Visit the website to learn more about programs near you!

“We believe that all young children have an aptitude for technical subjects – what’s often lacking is the encouragement and additional support to succeed,” Tracy Magee, Ford primary brand experiential manager said. “Ford is deeply committed to education and through creative programs such as the Girls’ Fast Track Races, we hope to spark excitement among the youth and inspire them to pursue future careers in high-tech fields.”

Ford Motor Company's collaboration with Girl Scouts Councils across America and their ongoing effort to promote STEAM related education is exciting and important for our youngest generation. With help and encouragement from Ford, these young students will be inspired to pursue high-tech career paths. At Velde Ford Pekin, we think this partnership is a great testimony to Ford's commitment to bettering our communities. 

Don't Forget to enter for your chance to win a 2 year lease on a 2017 Ford Escape! The winner will be announced this Saturday, September 24th! 

Located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Velde Ford of Pekin is committed to providing customers outstanding service. We want you to enjoy your car buying experience. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to stop by the dealership or visit our website at www.VeldeFordPekin.com. You can also reach us at (888) 221-2804. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Apple Orchards to Check Out this Fall

PEKIN, Ill., – It's the perfect time of year to drink apple cider and eat donuts! The days are getting shorter and cooler, but there's still a touch of warmth in the air. If you're wondering what to do on your next day off, round up your family or friends and adventure to a near by apple orchard or cider mill! These seasonal specialty locations are only open for a portion of the year, so take advantage of the fall's best delicacies while they're around! Here are four apple orchards to check out this fall!

Christ Orchard - Elmwood, Illinois

Christ Orchard is located about 30 minutes from Pekin. They offer a wide variety of apples and other fall produce items.

Tanners Orchard - Speer, Illinois

Tanners Orchard is 45 minutes outside of Pekin. They offer fun for everyone, with a farmers market, you-pick apples, and a corn maze!

Jeffries Orchard - Springfield, Illinois

Jeffries is just about an hour away from Pekin. They offer a huge variety of fall produce and tons of fun for the whole family!

Wagon Wheel Pumpkin Farm - Clinton, Illinois

Wagon Wheel is also just about an hour from Pekin. They have delicious cider and donuts and offer their famous cider slushies!

Plan a trip to one, or all, of these apple orchards to check out this fall! You won't be disappointed and we think you'll leave feeling perfectly full of cider and donuts. If you're planning any other fall road trips, you should schedule an appointment at Velde Ford Pekin! We'd love to make sure you're staying safe out on the road this season! 

Located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Velde Ford of Pekin is committed to providing customers outstanding service. We want you to enjoy your car buying experience. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to stop by the dealership or visit our website at www.VeldeFordPekin.com. You can also reach us at (888) 221-2804. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Freezer-to-Crockpot Meals to Make Your Life Easier

PEKIN, Ill., – This time of the year can be busy! With school back in session and sports and activities in full swing, you might not feel like cooking dinner every night of the week. These freezer-to-crockpot meals should make your life a little easier on those hectic evenings. Set aside a few hours to prep when you have some spare time and you’ll always have something to pop into the slow cooker. Also keep in mind that most slow cooker recipes can be altered to be freezer-friendly by simply leaving out the liquids until it’s time to cook! Simple, hearty, and delicious, you and your family are sure to be pleased!

1. Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki 

2. Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

3. Ham & Navy Bean Stew

4. White Chicken Chili

5. Potato Corn Chowder

We hope our favorite freezer-to-crockpot meals make your life easier this school year! Don't feel stressed about what to cook for dinner every single night! Make a few of these ahead of time so you can toss one into to the slow cooker and have a hot meal ready when you walk through the door at the end of the day! Make the rest of your life a little easier too, by winning a two year lease on a 2017 Ford Escape! We're celebrating Velde Ford's 60th Anniversary with a vehicle giveaway, so enter online for your chance to win! 

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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B&O PLAY Customizable Sound System

PEKIN, Ill., – Ford Motor Company is excited to announce their newest partnership; one that will bring a high quality sound experience to customers beginning in 2017. Ford and HARMAN will be collaborating to bring users the B&O PLAY customizable sound system.

Ford knows that car buyers are becoming increasingly influenced by audio brands. Drivers don’t just want a good car with a reliable engine, they want an entertainment experience as well. For Americans who spend a large portion of their lives commuting to work, a comfortable in-car experience is an important factor when considering a new vehicle. One-third of new car buyers say that the audio brand provided by their next vehicle would have an impact on their purchase, according to an Ipsos study in 2016.

In addition to providing a state of the art driving experience, Ford places an emphasis on the types of emotional connections people often feel with music and songs. Through these connections, Ford and Harmon feel their partnership demonstrates their shared commitments to quality, freedom, and innovative design.



The B&O PLAY system in new Ford vehicles will offer a customized audio system for users with personalized speaker placement and calibration. This means that high quality sound will be maintained in any driving condition!

Velde Ford Pekin knows that entertainment, including music and sound quality, is becoming increasingly important to buyers. The introduction of the B&O PLAY customizable sound system next year will provide continuing improvement to Ford’s line of technologies. To see what your Ford is capable of right now, check out our Ford SYNC Technology pages!

Located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Velde Ford of Pekin is committed to providing customers outstanding service. We want you to enjoy your car buying experience. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to stop by the dealership or visit our website at www.VeldeFordPekin.com. You can also reach us at (888) 221-2804. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Tailgate Recipes for Football Season

PEKIN, Ill., – Football season is upon us! Tailgate parties are about to start popping up left and right! We think snacks are the best part of any party. Scratching your head about what to bring? Don't just grab a boring bag of chips! Check out our favorite tailgate recipes for football season!

1. Broccoli Rabe Grinders

These veggie sandwiches are the perfect snack to keep one hand free for cheering!

2. Popcorn Toffee Bars

Sweet, crunchy, and easy to make! These are the perfect tailgate dessert!

3. Spicy Pigs in a Blanket

The ultimate party food, these pigs in a blanket take it up a notch with their spicy flavor!

4. Chili Verde

Vegetarian-friendly chili will have everyone coming back for seconds! Soup is the perfect way to stay warm on a cool game day!

5. Chicken Wings

Need we say more? You can't have a tailgate without chicken wings! 

6. Mini Meatball Sandwiches

Who wouldn't love a perfect, bite-sized sandwich! Plus they're adorable! 

7. Touchdown Turnovers

Chocolatey, flaky, and simple to make! These turnovers are to die for!

8. Jalapeño Poppers

This classic appetizer is super cheesy and perfectly spicy! 

9. Buffalo Chicken Roll-ups

Finger food that's packed with flavor is the best tailgate snack, in our opinion.

10. Spinach Mushroom Dip

We can't forget about the spinach dip! No party would ever be complete without the dip!

We hope our tailgate recipes for football season give you some creative ideas to take to your next party! While you're busy cheering on your favorite team this fall, don't forget your car needs love too! The weather will be getting cold soon, so make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape to get you to and from the games! Schedule an appointment at Velde Ford on our website, or take a look at our routine maintenance and service FAQ pages for some useful tips and tricks! 

Located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Velde Ford of Pekin is committed to providing customers outstanding service. We want you to enjoy your car buying experience. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to stop by the dealership or visit our website at www.VeldeFordPekin.com. You can also reach us at (888) 221-2804. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Limited-Edition Dallas Cowboys F-150

PEKIN, Ill., – Ford Motor Company is excited to announce the release of 400 Limited-Edition Dallas Cowboys F-150s. Texas is the United State’s largest truck market, with Ford F-Series trucks being the best selling models. Features of the new pickup include:

• Cowboys edition star badging on front doors and tailgate
• Blue-white-blue rocker panel to represent Cowboy’s helmet stripe
• 20-inch chrome wheels with star center caps
• Cargo bed mat with Cowboys star logo
• Laser-etched chrome foot plates with Cowboys word mark on front doors
• Cowboys logo stitched floor mats
• “1 of 400” Cowboys edition interior badge, featuring Jerry Jones autograph

The release of the Limited Edition Dallas Cowboys F-150 accompanies the opening of the Ford Center at The Star. This state-of-the-art training facility provides a 12,000-seat indoor stadium and corporate headquarters for the Dallas Cowboys in Frisco, Texas. Athletes in the Frisco Independent School District will also utilize the stadium.

The arrival of the Limited-Edition Dallas Cowboys F-150 demonstrates a long relationship between Ford Motor Company and its commitment to bettering American athletic programs, including youth athletics. Ford has had ties with the Dallas team for more than 20 years, and is excited to offer fans the opportunity to purchase this top-of-the-line vehicle! To get behind the wheel of a Ford F-150, stop by Velde Ford Pekin to test drive one for yourself! If you're not convinced that every other truck is history, check out our F-150 info page!

Located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Velde Ford of Pekin is committed to providing customers outstanding service. We want you to enjoy your car buying experience. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to stop by the dealership or visit our website at www.VeldeFordPekin.com. You can also reach us at (888) 221-2804. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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