Earlier this month, students from the University of Wisconsin – Madison joined the ongoing effort to raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes. Through Ford Motor Company’s 2014 College Ambassador Challenge featuring internship expert Lauren Berger, and a partnership with Kaiser Ford in Madison, four UW students planned and marketed a one-day Drive 4 UR Community test drive event to raise funds for the JDRF Western Wisconsin Chapter. For each test drive of a Ford vehicle completed by a community member, Ford would make a $20 charitable donation (up to $6,000).

JDRF is pleased to have taken part in this unique, hands-on program. The College Ambassador Challenge offers students real world experience with marketing and communications tasks and an opportunity to positively impact their community through a charity of their choosing. This professional skills development and philanthropic experience will undoubtedly benefit these students long after graduation.

JDRF would like to personally thank Tracy Young, Stacy McClain, Carly Michiels, and team leader Kelsey Schmitz – the UW student team – for choosing JDRF and helping further our cause. Their creativity, drive, and tireless efforts to ensure the success of the event were both impressive and appreciated. It is through the dedication of people like these students that we, as an organization, will accomplish our goals.

We applaud Ford Motor Company, Lauren Berger for facilitating this valuable program with our UW-Madison students and other teams around the nation.

If you were unable to participate in the Madison Drive 4 UR Community event but would like to help the UW-Madison student team win the national College Ambassador Challenge, cast your vote for them here. If you would like to assist in JDRF’s efforts to combat Type 1 Diabetes, visit our volunteer page or stop by one of our future events listed on the calendar page.