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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 15th, 2008
Contact:
Vittoria Katanski - 313/842.0986, ext. 26 cell: 248/248/766.6485
Kate Brennan - 313/842.2655 Cell: 248/561.0330
Sunday, January 13 Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) welcomed hundreds of excited little league softball players, young Tiger fans and their parents as they crowded into the community center room in southwest Detroit’s Holy Redeemer Catholic Church to get a glimpse of Magglio Ordonez. The Tiger baseball star was there to announce the establishment of a college scholarship for a deserving southwest Detroit high school senior. Established by Magglio Ordonez and his family and the Detroit Tigers Foundation, it is a permanent scholarship program of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
Each year a qualified southwest Detroit high school senior will be awarded a college scholarship, renewable for up to four years. As long as the student keeps an acceptable grade point average, he/she can qualify for a total of $10,000 ($2,500 per year for four years). “I’m really happy here, and I want to give something back,” said Ordonez who was unable to attend college himself because he was signed to a professional baseball team at the age of 17 in his native Venezuela.
Immediately following the scholarship announcement, he willingly answered questions from some of his young fans like, “What is your favorite food?” and “Can I take you to my Show and Tell?” He then stepped off the stage and into the crowd, and the kids began to cheer with excitement as he shook hands and smiled for photos. When asked her opinion of Ordonez, little leaguer Ana Maria Duperron, 11, said, “I love him! I like him because he’s cute and plays very good baseball.” 14 year-old Elizabeth Barajas said, “I love his hair!”
“We’re thrilled to have the Tigers involved in our community,” said SDBA President Katy Wendler “It’s a perfect fit, and these kids are excited to have someone like Magglio take such an interest in their welfare. This is just the beginning of a lasting relationship, and SDBA is happy to facilitate this new partnership with the Tigers Foundation.”
Sponsors of the event included September Moon, The Ideal Group and The Display Group.
The application deadline for the scholarship is April 1, 2008. To obtain an application or to find out more about the scholarships, students can contact their high school guidance counselor or the Community Foundation (313.961.6675).
The Detroit Tigers Foundation is committed to using the game of baseball to enhance the quality of life in its community with a focus on youth, education and recreation. It aids in the development and funding of innovative programs, including field renovation projects that reach the community with positive messages and promote the good citizenship embodied in the storied history of the Tigers.
SDBA is an award-winning nonprofit business organization committed to fostering innovation, drive and commitment in the community. Working with investors, entrepreneurs, customers and neighbors it capitalizes on Southwest Detroit’s competitive advantage, supporting the community’s vision for a healthy, vibrant neighborhood.
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, founded in 1984, is a permanent community endowment built by gifts from to thousands of individuals and organizations committed to the future of southeast Michigan. The Community Foundation works to improve the region’s q1uality of life by connecting those who care with causes that matter and supports a wide variety of activities benefiting education, arts and culture, health, human services, community development and civic affairs. The Community Foundation has assets of more than $670 million and, since its inception, has distributed more than $295 million through more than 29,000 grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair and Livingston counties.
Read the Bob Wojnowski article from the Detroit News.
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7752 West Vernor Highway Detroit, Michigan 48209 313.842.0986