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For 33 years, Gleaners Food Bank has fed the hungry in southeast Michigan. With the growing number of children and families in need of food, the Detroit Tigers saw the need to help. This year's Thanksgiving Community Giving Program brought in 36 volunteers from the Tigers front office, and special guest, Fox Sports Detroit broadcaster Rod Allen. From packaging food pallets, pantry packs, and donation mailings, the Tigers Staff was hard at work, and happy to do so. With the efforts of everyone involved, 30,874 pounds of food in 1,335 boxes will be distributed to local charities to be distributed to children and families in need. This was truly a great representation of enhancing lives through the game of baseball!
Keeping with the spirit of the giving season, Tigers outfielder Don Kelly and his wife Carrie adopted three families from the burn unit at Children's Hospital of Michigan. The "Adopt-A-Family" Program, coordinated by Children's Hospital of Michigan Social Work Department and sponsored by the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation, connects families in need with generous people and organizations in the community to provide gifts and food to families and children who would otherwise go without a holiday.
Don and Carrie provided presents for 10 children, and their parents, including action figures, toy laptops, educational games, clothes, baby dolls, books among other items, while the parents received necessary household items such as dishes, glassware, diapers and gift cards to Meijer to purchase a holiday dinner and groceries. Thanks to the Kelly Family, the families will be able to celebrate the holidays with smiles from ear to ear.
In celebration of the holiday season, the Detroit Tigers organization hosted its annual Holiday Giving Party at Comerica Park. Together with Delaware North Company SportService the Tigers hosted nearly 50 children and their families in conjunction with the Adopt-A-Family program hosted by the Michigan chapter of Volunteers of America, and New Directions, a foster care facility. After a delicious holiday meal in the Tiger Club, each child was surprised with a gift card loaded with $125 and individually escorted on a shopping spree at Fairlane Town Center.
Children shopped at many stores buying new clothes, jewelry, shoes, video games, mp3 players and much more. The mall was filled with cheerful young faces, happy families and the holiday spirit in the air was unmistakable as families left the mall excited to show off their collection of new items.
Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge, his wife Shani, and bullpen coach, Jeff Jones, with his wife Paula accompanied Tigers mascot Paws and the families for dinner and the trip to Fairlane Town Center. In addition to the holiday meal and shopping spree, every family took a holiday portrait and each child received a Brandon Inge autographed photo, their own Detroit Tigers baseball cap and poster, and a goody bag filled with candy and Tigers prizes.
The special event was made possible through contributions made by Detroit Tigers front office personnel, Fox Sports Detroit broadcaster Rod Allen, Fairlane Town Center and an anonymous donor, who matched all contributions.
The Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities, presented nearly $250,000 in grants to 18 organizations during a pregame ceremony at Comerica Park on May 30. The grants directly support extraordinary organizations that serve thousands of children and families throughout the state of Michigan. The grants are awarded with the mission of enhancing lives through the game of baseball with a focus on youth, education and recreation.
As a result of the grants:
Grant recipients include Berkley Dad's Club, Beverly Hills Little League, Boy Scout Troup 1659 / Immanuel Lutheran Church, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, City of Inkster, Don Bosco Hall, Eagle Sports Club, Flint Coalition for Youth Baseball - Softball League, Grosse Pointe Woods - Shores Little League, Judson Center, Michigan K.I.D.S., Inc., Padres Baseball Organization, Inc., Rochester Community Schools Foundation, Saginaw Community Foundation d/b/a Friends of Hoyt Park, Southfield Cardinal Baseball Organization, Special Olympics Michigan, Inc., Think Detroit PAL, Youth Development Commission.
Major League Baseball and the Detroit Tigers partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to go to bat against breast cancer. The goal of the campaign is to increase breast cancer awareness and promote early detection while also raising funds to support breast cancer research. Through the Commissioner's Community Initiative, the Tigers donated 1,000 tickets to breast cancer survivors, Komen Detroit Race for the Cure volunteers and their families to attend the Breast Health Awareness game on June 16 when the Tigers defeated the Washington Nationals. More than 150 breast cancer survivors were recognized for their survivorship on-field during a pregame ceremony. Additionally, the Detroit Tigers hosted the MLB Honorary Bat Girl, Carrie Samples, selected through an online contest at Tigers.com to recognize inspirational MLB fans that have been affected by breast cancer and demonstrated a commitment to the cause. Samples was one of 30 winners selected by MLB from nearly 1,000 entries. Samples watched batting practice from the field and met Tigers players outfielder Johnny Damon and third baseman Brandon Inge before throwing the ceremonial first pitch.
On Father's Day, Major League Baseball and the Detroit Tigers partnered with the Prostate Cancer Foundation for the 2010 Home Run Challenge. The goal is to raise awareness and funds to aid in the research to find a cure for prostate cancer. During all MLB games, on June 20, players and umpire wore light blue wristbands and blue ribbon decals during the game to raise awareness of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Tigers hosted a pregame ceremony with many special guests including the Adrian High School baseball team with Coach Greg Jackson - a prostate cancer survivor. The team raised approximately $5000 through a unique wrist band program created in partnership with the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association.
Also recognized during the ceremony were Dr. Dan Hamstra, Dr. Scott Tomlins and Dr. Chris Maher, grant recipients of the Prostate Cancer Foundation and prostate cancer researchers at the University of Michigan. Tigers manager Jim Leyland joined the pregame ceremony to show their support of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
The Detroit Tigers hosted Natalie and Lance Niekro, daughter and son of former Tigers pitcher Joe Niekro, in a pregame ceremony at Comerica Park to raise awareness of the Joe Niekro Foundation. The Joe Niekro Foundation is a charitable organization established in 2007 to honor the late pitcher and aid in the research and treatment of aneurysm patients and families. Joe Niekro enjoyed a 22-year major league career and was a 1979 all-star selection. He passed away on October 27, 2006 due to a sudden cerebral brain aneurysm. Since the passing of her father, Natalie made a commitment to dedicate her time, energy and focus on the advancement of neurological treatments for aneurysm patients. It is her mission to discover a detection method, available to the public, so that thousands of lives can be saved from this silent killer.
Former Tigers first baseman Dave Bergman, a close friend of Joe Niekro, serves as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Joe Niekro Foundation and joined Natalie and Lance during the pregame ceremony.
In celebration of the holiday season, the Detroit Tigers organization hosted its annual Community Holiday Party at Comerica Park.
Together with Delaware North Companies SportService the Tigers adopted nearly 30 families, including 46 children, as part of the Michigan Adopt-A-Family program hosted by Volunteers of America. After a holiday meal in the Tiger Club, each child was surprised with a $100 gift card and escorted on a shopping spree at Fairlane Town Center.
Children shopped at many stores buying new clothes, shoes, video games and much more. The mall was filled with cheerful young faces, proud parents, and a holiday spirit as families left the mall excited and smiling with hands full of their new items.
Tigers pitcher Nate Robertson, his wife Kristin, and bullpen coach, Jeff Jones, with his wife Paula joined Tigers mascot Paws and the families for dinner and shopping. In addition to the holiday meal and shopping spree, every family took a holiday portrait and each child received a Nate Robertson autographed photo and goody bag filled with candy and Tigers prizes.
The special event was made possible through contributions made by Detroit Tigers front office personnel, Fox Sports Detroit broadcaster Rod Allen, Fairlane Town Center and an anonymous donor, who matched all contributions.
To celebrate Thanksgiving, the Detroit Tigers Foundation donated 25 Thanksgiving dinner baskets. Each basket included a 10 pound turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cornbread, vegetables and much more. The 25 families who received a basket were selected through Homes for Black Children, a United Way agency that provides support and services to foster care families of Detroit. The families were greeted by Detroit's favorite mascot, PAWS, as they received their dinner baskets. Children in each family received a Miguel Cabrera poster and a Tigers sticker. T-shirts and caps were also given out. The Detroit Tigers Foundation donated an additional 40 turkeys to families in need.
The Detroit Tigers Foundation presented over $200,000 in grants to 15 different organizations throughout the Detroit area, surpassing last year's total of $165,000. This year's grants will improve 20 baseball or softball diamonds, expand four baseball or tee ball programs and teach over 68,000 students with a literacy piece about healthy living. Bridgeport Township Park & Recreation will use their $25,000 grant to build a barrier free baseball diamond, benefiting 63,000 special needs children and Special Olympics Michigan, Inc. will send 98 metro-Detroit children to attend the Summer Sports Classic thanks to their grant.
Competitive youth baseball in Detroit will also receive a boost with the funding from the Detroit Tigers Foundation. In addition to the renovations of numerous fields throughout the Detroit area, organizations like Think Detroit PAL will recruit and train 100 baseball and softball coaches. The Youth Development Commission will expand the Detroit Tigers Hometown Championship, a three-day youth baseball and softball tournament for 600 children ages 6-19 and the Padres Baseball Organization, Inc. sent 10u and 13u baseball teams from Detroit to compete in the 2009 Triple Crown World Series in July.
The Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities was established in 2005 to enhance lives through the game of baseball. With a focus on youth, education and recreation, the Foundation aids and develops initiatives that help promote the game of baseball.
The list of 2009 grant recipients includes:Children of the Lloyd H. Diehl Boys and Girls Club have started construction for two new baseball diamonds thanks to the generosity of Tigers pitcher Dontrelle Willis and the Detroit Tigers Foundation. As part of "Play Baseball Detroit", the groundbreaking ceremony was only part of the Tiny Tigers All-Star Tee Ball Classic which showcased coaches and players in a Home Run Derby, Pitch & Run Competition, Pack Attack, and the inaugural All-Star Tee Ball game. The construction of the new baseball facility at the Lloyd H. Diehl Boys and Girls Club is uniquely significant to Willis, as he is an alumnus of the Boys and Girls Club program.
Detroit Tigers players, coaches, and front office staff made a special visit to the firefighters at Engine 23 on Detroit's east side. The purpose of the event was to honor Walter Harris, an Engine 23 standout firefighter. Harris died fighting a routine fire on November 15, 2008 and to remember his heroic service and sacrifice to community the Tigers unveiled a framed, number 23, jersey bearing Harris' name on the back. On hand for the jersey presentation were Detroit Tigers President, CEO and General Manager Dave Dombrowski, Tigers manager Jim Leyland, and Tigers players which included Justin Verlander, Magglio Ordoñez, Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Guillen. In addition to unveiling the commemorative jersey, the Tigers also had the opportunity to tour the firehouse and talk with other firefighters of Engine 23.
For most children with mental and/or physical challenges the joys of baseball are not often experienced. However, through the efforts of the Miracle League of Michigan, children are able to play baseball in its purest form. As part of this organized league, children with disabilities are able to swing the bat, round the bases, and compete like their peers. To recognize the tremendous efforts of the Miracle League of Michigan, its brave youthful membership, and the idea that every child deserves to play baseball, the Detroit Tigers Ticket Donation program partnered with Pepsi to host more than 1,000 children and their families from the Miracle League of Michigan at Comerica Park. Children from this program watched batting practice from the field, met their favorite Tigers player, and participated in a pregame ceremony that showcased the excitement and elation every child gets when stepping onto a baseball diamond.
The Detroit Tigers organization makes a distinct effort to visit patients in surrounding pediatric hospitals throughout the season. Tigers catcher Gerald Laird along with wife Kelly, continued this mission by visiting patients at DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan. In addition to lifting spirits, Laird also presented every patient with an autographed copy of the "The ABC's of Detroit Tigers Baseball," a book that covers the game of baseball from A to Z, and a pack of Major League Baseball Fathead Tradeables, courtesy of Fathead.
Eight years ago, our nation was shocked to see the scenes of disaster at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and in the small town of Somerset, Pennsylvania. However, our resolve as a nation enabled us to band together and unify ourselves in the cause to defend our way of life and to honor the victims of those terribly tragic events. To honor the men and women that lost their lives on September 11, 2001 the Tigers welcomed local fire departments and police forces as a way to commemorate the many citizens that put their lives on the line for our safety. The on-field recognition included members of the Detroit Fire Department/American Red Cross Southeastern Chapter, the Detroit Police Department, and police officers from Rochester, Brownstown, Roseville, Buena Vista Township, Saginaw, Wayne State University, and the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. The Tigers applaud the unselfish acts of heroism and dedication to community through public service and salute everyday heroes for their commitment to others.
To continue the mission to find a for cure prostate cancer, the Detroit Tigers partnered with Major League Baseball to raise awareness on Father's Day for continued support and research for a disease that has affected nearly two million men in the United States. Spokesmen for this initiative were Tigers manager, Jim Leyland and third baseman, Brandon Inge. Along with MLB players and coaches, umpires also wore light blue wristbands and ribbon decals during the game. To recognize prostate cancer survivors, researchers and advocates the Tigers donated 250 tickets and hosted a ceremony on the field at Comerica Park in continued support for finding a cure to prostate cancer.
Detroit has one of the highest illiteracy rates in the United States and to combat this problem Tigers shortstop Adam Everett partnered with Gardner White and FOX 2 to spread the importance of reading. At a Gardner White in Canton, Everett read the "ABC's of Detroit Tigers Baseball" to children who were present at the event. In addition, families who attended were encouraged to donate new or gently used books to the Salvation Army, which in turn will be distributed to many children around the Detroit Area.
A little over 5,600 people in the United States are diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS, every year. To raise funds and awareness for this grave disease, the Detroit Tigers partnered with Major League Baseball and ALS organizations nationwide in honor of the 70th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's "Luckiest Man" speech. Representatives from ALS Therapy Development Institute, Muscular Dystrophy Association and the ALS Association - Michigan Chapter were recognized.
In addition, the Detroit Tigers partnered with the Big House Big Hearts Race to further advance the cause for defeating ALS. Big House Big Hearts is a 5K/10K/1M race that ends on the 50 yard line of University of Michigan's historic football stadium, the "Big House". While the Race allows each runner to raise funds for a personal cause, the Race also supports ALS research at the University of Michigan Program for Neurology Research & Discovery, the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center and the C.S. Mott Children's and Women's Hospital. In recognition of all organizations mentioned, the Tigers donated over 200 tickets and hosted a pregame ceremony at Comerica Park encouraging fans to support ALS research.
On May 25, 2008, the Detroit Tigers Foundation presented 11 grants to 10 organizations totaling more than $160,000 during an on-field, pre-game ceremony.
Two of the 11 grants awarded established the following new initiatives: 1) Detroit Tigers Hometown Championship, a three-day youth baseball and softball tournament for 500 children ages 6-19, and 2) Tiny Tigers, a summer t-ball program for 400 children in Detroit.
Additionally, the grants allowed more than 350 children the opportunity to compete in a baseball skills competition at Comerica Park, while baseball and softball programs will be enhanced and/or fields improved in the cities of Detroit, Flint, Harper Woods, Novi, Royal Oak and Taylor.
Finally, over 90,000 Michigan area students receive a "Character of Champions" baseball poster and educational supplement to stress the importance of building character on and off the playing field.
The Detroit Tigers Foundation was established in 2005 to enhance lives through the game of baseball. With a focus on youth, education and recreation, the Foundation aids and develops initiatives that help promote the game of baseball.
The list of recipients includes:The Detroit Tigers Foundation accepts formal grant requests each year between September 1 and December 20. More information about the grant application process »
The Detroit Tigers Foundation joined Franklin Road Christian School in Novi to celebrate the completion of its Athletic Field Complex during a ribbon cutting ceremony along with students, families, teachers and administrators.
The complex includes baseball, softball, soccer and practice fields and cost in excess of $600,000. The Detroit Tigers Foundation awarded $20,000 in funding to support the project, made possible in part by a $10,000 donation by an anonymous donor who wanted to support a baseball / softball field renovation at a Christian school.
The complex will serve as home field for the K-12 school and will be open to the surrounding communty including both Novi and Walled Lake public schools. In addition to supporting the field improvements, the funds donated by the Tigers Foundation will help provide scholarships to the school's baseball and softball camps beginning in 2009.
