OREANDA-NEWS. July 28, 2015. Ten Ford dealerships in the Chicago area participated in a fundraiser recently to support the USO of Illinois, a nonprofit organization that offers assistance to local service members and military families in communities across Illinois. 

Dealers that took part in the third annual USO BBQ for the Troops, which was held in partnership with the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), presented barbecue favorites such as pig roasts, burgers and hot dogs as well as different outdoor events ranging from rock climbing walls and live music to dunk tanks and face painting with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to the USO of Illinois.

In addition to the July BBQ event, dealerships are collecting funds through the first annual Cup Holder for Change Drive.  They are encouraging customers to donate the loose change in their vehicles in special donation stations located in the parts and service areas of the dealership.

Wickstrom Ford in Barrington, Illinois, pledged to match all donations through the month of July. They also set up a fundraising page through CrowdRise, which has raised \\$6,835 to date.

Over the last two years, USO BBQ for the Troops has raised more than \\$125,000 for Illinois troops and their families.  Eighty percent of the total program proceeds have come from Chicago area dealerships.