The Drive One 4 UR School fundraiser at Carson High School Saturday was dubbed a "huge success" by organizers who said they exceeded their goal of 300.
"We surpassed our goal and we couldn't be more pleased," said Tim Milligan, Capital Ford's general manager.
Dick Campagni's Capital Ford rolled out about a dozen of its 2010 models for the community to test drive during the day-long event. For every test drive taken, Ford donated $20 to the CHS girls' basketball program - up to $6,000.
"The community really got behind us and I just want to thank them for the great turnout for this first-ever event for us in Northern Nevada," Milligan said.
"The fire department came out and U.S. Rep. Dean Heller was here," he said. "We're all just so happy."
Milligan called Ford's sponsorship a chance to give back.
"With the economy being what it is, and programs being cut, we just want to help where we can. We're programmed to look for ways to help the community because this community has been good to us," Milligan said.
"We'll be able to give a maximum of $6,000 in a one-day benefit, and a lot of people were drawn together to try to help the kids," he said.
CHS girls basketball coach Todd Ackerman said he was also pleased with the turnout.
"In just the first 40 minutes, we had 30 drivers," he said.
The money raised, Acker-
man said, would help with things like equipment, travel and tournament fees, and he called the funds a big boost to the $2,500 budget the school provides the freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams.
Carson City resident Tish Carpenter, seated in a red Ford Edge ready for her test drive, said she came out to help support a friend.
"I just really wanted to help the kids out," she said.
Capital Ford salesperson Julie Bopp said the Edge is a crossover vehicle, similar to an SUV but with a car's suspension to provide maximum comfort.
Rachel Smith, Ford's public relations director for the West Coast, was in Carson City from Sacramento for the event.
"Ford is doing this all over the nation," she said. "It's a partnership between schools and Ford."
Jazmyn Stokes, a junior on the basketball team attending the event, said she thought the fundraiser was a "really good idea."
"It doesn't really cost anybody anything and it helps out our team. All it takes is a little bit of their time," Stokes said.
For more information about the vehicles on display Saturday, go to www.capital
fordonline.com.