Community

This past Saturday David Self Ford in Orange was the busiest place in town. All Six Orange County High Schools were represented for the Ford Motor Company sponsored Drive One 4 UR School Event - Bridge City, West Orange Stark, Community Christian, Little Cypress Mauriceville, Vidor and Orangefield.

This year $10,000 was raised by the six schools with over 1000 people showing up for the event. Participants got to drive the vehicle of their choice of a Ford Mustang, F150, Taurus, Edge or Explorer for $20 from Ford Motor Company and then drive the new 2012 Ford Focus for an extra $10 earned for their school organization.

Much fun was had by all who stopped by. David Self provided drinks and cookies for all who came by. The Vidor Pirates band members were entertaining the crowd with music, drumming and twirling. Bridge City Strutters & Cheerleaders were building pyramids at the Intersection of 16th & Green. Orangefield Sophisticats were dancing and cheering with the Bobcat. LCM Band Boosters were welcoming their supporters with a rousing cheer when they came through the door. Community Christians’ Lion and students were on the loose in front of the dealership. West Orange Stark Mustangs were cheering every time one of their supporters came by. David Self told us “This is all about supporting the kids in our community and I’m very thankful to Ford for allowing us to put on this event for our Orange County schools.”

Dusti Lummus, a 2011 graduate of Orangefield High School FFA has been awarded a $1000 scholarship by David Self Ford and Ford Motor Company.  Dusti's parents are Jeffrey and Natalie Lummus of Vidor and she plans to study at Lamar State College - Orange. 

The Built Ford Tough - FFA Scholarship Program is designed to recognize FFA members' talents and accomplishments while encouraging their future academic achievements.  Ford knows the value of hard work, and believes that hard work should be rewarded.  Educating aspiring young people to become the leaders of tomorrow is just another way of ensuring a successful future.

Jessica Stark graduated from Orangefield High this year and received her BIG check for Perfect Attendance from Jerry Blalock. Jessica will attend the University of Texas in Dallas, studying Biology with plans to become a Plastic Surgeon. Jessica was inspired to reach "Perfect Attendance" after visiting a relatives graduation and seeing all the Scholarships that were available for those that achieved that specific goal. Congratulations Jessica! Job Well Done!

David Self Ford Lincoln Mercury in Orange sponsored a Trash Cleanup Event in the cities of Orange, Pinehurst and West Orange to benefit West Orange Stark High School’s Senior Project Graduation. The cleanup was held between 10am and 1 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010 and 97 students from West Orange Stark High School participated in the event.

David Self, owner of David Self Ford Lincoln Mercury in Orange said, “Participating in community events has always been very important to me. We like giving back to our community which has helped us so much and it’s important to help our young people enjoy their post graduation evening safely.”

West Orange Stark High School received $10 per student and the students were rewarded for their efforts with Pizza and soda provided by Domino’s Pizza and Superior Tire and Service of Orange.

Protection for the students during the event was provided by the police of the cities of Orange, Pinehurst and West Orange.

On December 1st, 2009 the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce held the Annual Banquet themed “50’s Sock Hop” at The San Damiano Center - St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church.

The center was packed with invited guests, business owners and community leaders there to help celebrate the chamber’s 2009 year, as well as present several prominent awards and welcome the 2010 Chairman of the Board.

John Gothia, chairman of the board and Jarren Garrett, chairman of the Community Service Business committee presented David Self, owner of David Self Ford the Community Service Business Award.

March 5, 2010 Mr. Wayne Charlot of David Self Ford Lincoln Mercury receives his Ford Master Certification Award from David Self. All of the employees gathered around cheering and clapping and even a few customers joined in the celebration. Wayne, originally from Church Point, Louisiana, began his career with Ford Motor Company in 1978 when he moved to Orange, Texas where he still lives with his wife and son. Just saying that he has completed certification in Chassi s Master, Steering And Suspension, Electrical Systems, Climate Control and Brakes does not sound like much; however, Wayne had to complete thousands of hours of training – both in classroom and through the internet – to complete his certification. David Self and his employees are all very proud and honored to be working with Mr. Wayne Charlot. Come on in and congratulate him on his wonderful achievement.

March 3, 2011 

Mr. Don Dunaway of David Self Ford receives his Ford Master Certification Award from Service Director, Lee Roy Patrick.   All of the employees gathered around to show their support and David Self provided yummy King Cakes from Rao’s Bakery which we used to celebrate his achievement.

December 15, 2010   

Mr. Bruce Norris of David Self Ford Lincoln Mercury receives his Ford Master Certification Award from David Self.   All of the employees gathered around cheering and clapping and even a few customers joined in the celebration which included a very large and tasty cake from Glenda’s Bakery.

Bruce began his career with Ford Motor Company in 1976 at the Orange Ford store and has been here ever since, except for a very short stint at another local Ford dealership.  Bruce lives in Vidor, Texas with his wife of 34 years – Nelda.  There they have raised two sons and a daughter and enjoy spoiling their 4 Granddaughters and doing woodworking in his spare time.  Just saying that he has completed certification in Chassis and Engines does not sound like much; however, Bruce had to complete countless of hours of training – both in classroom and through the internet – to complete his certification.   David Self and his employees are all very proud and honored to be working with Mr. Bruce Norris.  Come on in and congratulate him on his wonderful achievement.

The Orange Leader - Opinion Sunday, May 24, 2009 www.orangeleader.com Letter to the Editor: In a time of economic troubles, it is so encouraging to have someone help a worthy cause. David Self of David Self Ford of Orange, generously sponsored our Mauriceville Elementary Faculty and Staff, Relay for Life team this year. His commitment towards being an involved new community member of Orange County is refreshing. He seems to want to be an active participant in what is going on, whether it is civic, educational, or philanthropic. Our MVE team, known as the MVE Pink Panthers, would like to say how appreciative we are for Mr. Self's help in helping us reach our Relay for Life goal. Together, with the generous support of the MVE faculty and staff, we were able to donate $2,000. This donation will go towards the fight against cancer and help families that have loved ones with this terrible disease. Again, we are thankful for new business owners that want to help make our community a giving community. Thank you to those individuals that also gave so generously to our cause. Myra Sanders - Mauriceville Elementary Pink Panthers

The Ford dealership in what was originally called Ford Square in Orange may have a new owner, but he is no rookie in Ford circles. David Self took ownership Wednesday of what was formerly Orange Ford on Green Avenue near the intersection with 16th Street. In addition to David Self Ford in Winnie, he owns David Self Tractor Cos. in Buna, Winnie, Carthage and Huntington. He set new records in 2006 for Mahindra tractor sales in the area. I just want people to come back and give us a chance, said Self, who plans to move to Orange in the near future. Self acknowledged the history of Ford in Orange. There has been a Ford dealership in Ford Square in Orange since 1963. I intend to continue the tradition of excellent service to the community that was set by the founder of the dealership, Self said. We intend to be a part of Orange's future. We invite everyone in the area to come by and meet our family. Self began his career with Ford Motor Credit in Dallas. After being transferred to Southeast Texas, he joined Calvin Ford in Sour Lake where he was the manager of the dealership for 10 years. In 1992, David purchased the Ford dealership in Winnie, where he continues to be very involved in community projects. Those community projects were instrumental in earning Self a nomination for Ford Motor Company's 2007 Salute To Dealers Award. Published: February 22, 2007

At Saturday's opening ceremonies at Bridge City Little League, the newly acquired field that formerly belonged to the Pony League was renamed in honor of David Self Ford.
After the National Anthem, David Self threw out the first pitch and was presented with the ball by league president, Britt Patterson and Vice President of Junior Ball, Danny Harrington.
The BCLL had tried to attain the field for the last 25 years.

Monique McCain, daughter of former Orangefield resident Paula Duhon McCain, sang the National Anthem a cappella has team members stood with respect with their ball caps over their hearts.
Published 04/03/2008

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones addresses the folks at David Self Ford Tuesday as Cowboys cheerleaders Christine Parker and Misty Duncan and David Self look on at David Self Ford Tuesday. Jones and the Cowboys have teamed up with Ford Motor Company as co-sponsors for the Built Ford Tough/Dallas Cowboys High School Football Player of the Week this season. Published: September 04, 2007

In anticipation of this weekend's PBR rodeo action at Ford Park in Beaumont, five-time world champion bull fighter Rob Smets and eight-time world champion bull rider Don Gay met with fans at David Self Ford in Orange. The YMBL Chute Out Rodeo, featuring Smets and Gay, begins Thursday, May 8 and runs through Saturday, May 10, at Ford Park in Beaumont. Darren Hottendorf/The Orange Leader Published: May 06, 2008