Getting behind the wheel of a new car and taking it for a spin is always a fun experience. At Ford, taking one of our vehicles for a test drive during a Drive 4 UR Community event also raises money for a worthy cause. It’s a little drive that goes a long way.

Magnuson Ford dealer principal Layne Magnuson certainly agrees. The Abbotsford, B.C., dealership frequently partners with local organizations to host the fundraising initiative.

“We’ve been here since 2009 and one of the things that I wanted to do when I first came to town was to make sure I got really active within the community,” says Magnuson.

The Drive 4 UR Community and Drive 4 UR School initiatives launched nationwide in 2010 and have raised more than $1.3 million across Canada in 2012.

The initiatives proved a perfect fit for Magnuson — his dealership has had a Drive event “on the go” during every week in 2012.

So how does the program work?

• During a Drive event at a local Ford dealership, participants take one of an assortment of Fords, such as the Ford Focus, for a short test drive.

• Upon completion of the test drive, they fill out a brief survey rating their experience.

• Completed surveys are sent to Ford to be approved and counted.

• $20 per survey is given by Ford to the organization or school they have partnered with.

“Ford has really gone overboard on this and they have done a phenomenal job in making this happen,” says John Wayne MacMullin, community relations manager at Magnuson Ford.

Which Ford would you most like to take for a test drive? Let us know in the comments below.