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As part of the Ilitch organization’s long-standing dedication of giving back to communities in which it serves around the world, Ilitch Charities and its affiliated charitable foundations recently hosted a weekend of events benefiting organizations that make a positive impact on the lives of many.

On August 24, the Detroit Tigers Foundation held its Keeping Kids in the Game fundraising event at Comerica Park. Focusing on youth health, sports and education, the event benefited Make-A-Wish,  providing positive life-changing experiences to local critically ill youth, and the Miguel Cabrera Foundation, which, among other things, promotes recreational baseball and softball to children between 6 and 10 years of age.  

A celebration to thank the individuals and organizations who donate their time and efforts to continue moving the community forward took place on Saturday, August 26. Guests mingled throughout the pedestrian-friendly Columbia Street and the historic Fox Theatre, sampling food from area restaurants, enjoying live entertainment, participating in a silent auction benefitting Ilitch Charities, and more. The weekend’s activities wrapped up on August 28, with the 15th Annual Ilitch Charities Celebrity Golf Classic, Ilitch Charities’ largest annual fundraiser at Oakland Hills Country Club – which, founded in 1916, has played a significant role in the history of golf in the United States.

These annual events raise funds for vital community programs. This year’s charitable gift recipients were announced during a community celebration in the Grand Lobby of the Fox Theatre. Ilitch Charities donated $100,000 each to three organizations making a positive difference. 

This year’s awardees were: 

  • Hatch Detroit by TechTown, which provides funding, education, exposure and mentoring to up-and-coming entrepreneurs through its annual Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest. “The $100,000 donation is incredibly meaningful to the organization and will allow them to continue their support of small businesses,” said Linda Nogesbe, National Community Impact Manager and Vice President at Comerica Bank.
  • The Eastern Market Partnership, the non-profit that operates Eastern Market, which makes fresh food more accessible and creates opportunities for small business owners. Cindy Pasky, chair of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Market Partnership, accepted the donation, noting, “This is one of the largest contributions Eastern Market has ever received.”  
  • The Detroit Public Schools Foundation, which accepted a gift geared towards career and technical educational programs that train students to join the workforce, including Detroit Public Schools Community District’s Davis Aerospace Technical High School at Golightly, Philip Randolph Career and Technical Center, and Breithaupt Career and Technical Center. Kerrie Mitchell, President & CEO of the Detroit Public Schools Foundation spoke on behalf of the foundation in accepting the gift. Mitchell said, “This $100,000 is life-changing to the students and families at DPSCD.”

“We remain dedicated to giving back to the communities in which we serve,” said Chris Ilitch, CEO of Ilitch Companies and Chairman, Ilitch Charities. “Through our charities, foundations, volunteerism and impactful programs, we are honored to support hundreds of organizations working to make our cities and towns stronger.”

Over the years, more than $250 million and thousands of volunteer hours have been donated to worthy causes by the Ilitch Companies, Ilitch Charites, and its affiliates and owners.