February 9, 2011
Press Release
EVENT: THINK DETROIT PAL ANNOUNCES THE DTE ENERGY FOUNDATION MVP AWARDS BENEFITING THINK DETROIT PAL
Detroit, Mich.—Think Detroit PAL is pleased to announce the 2011 DTE Energy Foundation MVP Awards benefiting Think Detroit PAL, taking place on Thursday, February 17th. The ceremony will pay tribute to five individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to children throughout the community through their commitment to the organization. We are pleased that Mayor Bing will join us in presenting the top award named in his honor.
"The DTE Energy Foundation MVP Awards benefiting Think Detroit PAL will be a night of celebration, where we are able to honor some of the individuals who have made Think Detroit PAL's mission their own," said Michael Porter, CEO of Think Detroit PAL. "But we won't just be looking back. The continuing commitment of these folks, and others like them, will take Think Detroit PAL to even loftier heights, as we strive to serve even more girls and boys with our academic and sports programming."
The five honorees will be presented with awards from three categories.
Dave Bing MVP Leadership Award - Honoring individuals who are living Think Detroit PAL's mission every day as champions of girls and boys residing in the city of Detroit.
The recipients of the Dave Bing MVP Leadership Award are WJR’s Paul W. Smith, whose Paul W. Smith Golf Classic has netted Think Detroit PAL nearly $2.5 million in its seven year history, and Daniel Varner, current board member and former CEO of Think Detroit PAL, credited with successfully navigating the 2006 merger between Think Detroit, Inc. and Detroit’s Police Athletic League.
John D. Scodellaro Builder Award - Presented to individuals who have provided long-term service to Think Detroit PAL in an effort to sustain its greatness and to help to bring it to the next level of fruition.
The recipients of the John D. Scodellaro Builder Award are Detroit Lions’ Tim Pendell, Think Detroit PAL board member who has helped facilitate the use of Ford Field for the annual youth football championships. Detroit Lions Charities have also supported the youth football program with a $60,000 sponsorship that is renewed yearly. Also being honored is Foley & Lardner’s Scott Seabolt, Think Detroit PAL board member who spent 9 months as interim CEO in an innovative “executive on-loan” arrangement. With the full support of his law firm, Scott guided the organization, providing stability in a time of transition.
Dan Varner/ Mike Tenbusch Game Changer Award - Awarded to an individual who works or volunteers in the city of Detroit, in an effort to improve the lives of all young people.
This year’s recipient of the Dan Varner/Mike Tenbusch Gamer Changer Award is William Dooley, coach of Think Detroit PAL’s Eastside Falcons football team and credited with helping to unify the historically stratified football program in his role as the Youth Football Advisory Disciplinary Board president. Coach Dooley is the consummate “peacemaker” and a hero in the eyes of the young people he has touched over 20 years of service.
The event will be held at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48202. Cocktails begin at 5:30 with dinner seated at 6:15.
Think Detroit PAL was formed in 2006 by the merger of Think Detroit, Inc. and the Detroit Police Athletic League. In 2010, Think Detroit PAL served over 10,000 girls and boys through out 24 combined sports and academic programs, making it one of the largest youth organizations in the state of Michigan. Think Detroit PAL also trained 1,500 community volunteers on how to be effective coaches and mentors, in an effort to fulfill our mission to make Detroit a great place to be a kid and raise a family.
For more information, please visit http://www.thinkdetroitpal.org or call 313-833-1600. |
