The 14th Annual Ilitch Charities Celebrity Golf Classic took place on Monday, August 22 at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills. The outing is the organization’s largest charitable event, raising funds for vital community programs. This year’s donations were revealed on Saturday, August 20 at the first-ever Detroit Sports + Entertainment Community Celebration, held in The District Detroit on Columbia Street and at the historic Fox Theatre.
Ilitch Charities invests in our community’s future by working to make it a better place for all, which is made possible by support from generous sponsors, celebrity guests, partners and contributions from Ilitch companies and colleagues. The Detroit Sports + Entertainment Community Celebration was a chance to honor and thank all of those who have donated their time and efforts throughout the year to move our community forward.
During the event at the Fox Theatre, Chris Ilitch, President and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc., presented Grow Detroit’s Young Talent, The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and Downtown Boxing Gym with a donation of $100,000 each. Ilitch Charities is proud to have longstanding relationships with these worthy charitable organizations that each make a significant and lasting impact on the community.
“We cannot run this program without the help of our philanthropic investors.” said Terri Weems, President of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, the non-profit fiduciary for Detroit at Work, which hosts Grow Detroit’s Young Talent. This signature program employees over 8,000 Detroit youth between the ages of 18-24 for a six-week summer employment opportunity each year. “The overwhelming majority of donations end up with the youth to pay wages for the six weeks they are employed. This donation from Ilitch Charities will go to support at least 50 Detroit youth in the summer of 2023.”
For over half a century, the Wright Museum has dedicated itself to exploring and celebrating the rich cultural legacy of African Americans. The Ilitch companies have maintained a longstanding relationship with the Wright Museum through support of programs that celebrate this history in Detroit. “This contribution is significant to us because it shows that Ilitch Charities appreciates the work that we do, and they understand the asset we are to Detroit. It’s an important gift that they have made to us, and we are deeply appreciative, particularly from a company that is also such a vital part of what Detroit is.” said Neil Barclay, President and CEO of The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
With a mission to “train kids for life,” the Downtown Boxing Gym provides a free after-school academic and athletic program to students ages 8-18, with continuing mentorship and support through age 25. “This program is a launching pad for the future. These kids are truly our future and will be the next rocket scientists and engineers.” said Khali Sweeney, Founder and President of Detroit Boxing Gym. “It is incredible to have corporate sponsors like Ilitch Charities supportive of our mission, and we are forever grateful for that.”
