Sunset Ford, Affton School District and members of the local community helped raise $8,000 for Affton Strong, a districtwide persistence to graduation program implemented this year.

As part of Ford Motor Co.’s Drive 4 UR School program, more than 300 Affton-area residents recently test-drove a Ford vehicle at Affton High School. Sunset Ford and Ford Motor Co. donated $20 to $30 per test-drive.

Since the program’s inception in 2007, the Drive 4 UR School program has generated more than $11 million in donations for high schools nationwide.

“I am more than thrilled that so many people from the local community turned out to support the Affton School District, and I’ve never been more proud to be a Ford dealer. Participants had the chance to take a fun, casual drive in one of our vehicles, while lending our students and community a much-needed helping hand,” Sunset Ford General Manager Jim Heutel stated in a news release.

“With all that’s going on in the community, finding creative ways to fundraise is imperative. The money from Ford will make a difference to our students and it says a lot about who they are as a company,” Heather Mayfield, a counselor at Affton High School and Affton Strong program co-administrator, stated in the release. “The money raised will help develop Affton Strong, which will in turn help further strengthen our schools, our students and our community.”

In more than six hours, 331 test drives were recorded for a total of $8,000 donated. The Affton Strong program was established at the start of the 2012-2013 school year in all Affton schools with the goal of helping our students maintain focus on a successful school experience, and, ultimately, graduation.