DETROIT -- The UAW-Ford National Programs Center (NPC) will host a charity ball Jan. 13, coinciding with the Charity Preview associated with the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo Center here.

This year marks the second annual event for the UAW-Ford NPC, held on the eve of the Detroit auto show's Jan. 14 public opening. The event will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. at the UAW-Ford NPC headquarters, 151 W. Jefferson Ave. in Detroit.

Tickets are $100 per person, with all proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provide a "home-away-from-home" for families so they can stay close to their hospitalized child at little or no cost.

The charities were chosen because a number of UAW-Ford members have used their services in recent years. UAW-Ford hopes this event will allow them to renovate a number of rooms at area Ronald McDonald House facilities.

UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles, who directs the union's National Ford Department, is excited about the UAW and Ford Motor Co. continuing their partnership and involvement in the community, and pleased that the Ronald McDonald House Charities were chosen again.

Settles added that the Ronald McDonald house is "a special organization that we look forward to working with throughout the year to show the appreciation we have for the wonderful work they do, not only for families in the community, but also for our own UAW families."

The UAW-Ford ball will feature diverse entertainment, including raffles, food, cocktails, music, dancing and a charity casino. About 500 UAW members, Ford Motor Co. officials and others are expected to attend.

The UAW and Ford are leaders in developing a broad range of approaches to worker involvement and labor-management cooperation. These efforts, which have expanded and deepened over the years, have helped Ford facilities gain recognition as among the most productive in the world, and they have contributed to increased market share, improved economic performance, enhanced employee development and work satisfaction. The UAW-Ford NPC helps carry forward these joint programs.

Who:            UAW-Ford NPC
What:           Black-tie (optional) charity ball
Where:         UAW-Ford NPC, 151 W. Jefferson Ave., Detroit
When:          Friday, Jan. 13, from 6 to 11 p.m.