Stafford and Albom together give back to the City of Detroit

Matthew Stafford (Lions QB) and Mitch Albom (Newspaper Columnist and Radio DJ) have graciously donated through their charities to reopen a closed recreation center in Detroit in conjunction with the city of Detroit. Through Stafford's Score 7 Charity and Albom's S.A.Y. Detroit charitable foundation, the Lipke Park recreation center will be renovated and will reopen sometime in the near future. We for the most part talk about the not so good things athletes and those in the high up positions do and not enough of the things that these people do for others and our communities. Stafford in the past has done many charitable things for others but most have been behind the scenes whereas this charitable donation will include not only a sizable monetary donation from him but also one involving his time as well. Albom is well known for his charitable foundation and what he has done for those in the city of Detroit as well as all over the World.  The remodeled and reopened recreation center will give kids a place to go to get involved in activities and help keep the kids off the streets. The center on Detroit's northeast side will feature a new football field, soccer fields, an ice rink and a new indoor practice facility. To enjoy the new amenities, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and acceptable attendance at school. Students who fall short of those benchmarks can participate if they enroll in a tutoring program. This is a huge stepping stone in revitalizing the City of Detroit by giving back to its residents and children.  Spearheading the project is S.A.Y. Detroit, a nonprofit founded by    Mitch Albom to improve the lives of needy residents. Stafford said it was the Albom's  influence that led him and his charity -- Score7 Charitable Fund -- to get involved in the biggest project in Detroit that Albom's foundation has undertaken.
"If we don't offer anything to our children, how are they going to grow," Albom said at a news conference inside the Lipke gymnasium alongside Stafford and city leaders.  When athletes and well recognized people do good and give back with their time and generosity and money, great things happen not only to Communities and Neighborhoods, but also in the lives of the people who are affected by these good things and change for better occurs for everyone involved especially the kids and the city itself.  Hopefully this is the first of many new organized efforts for those who can support and make a difference in the city and with its revival and more community and recreation centers will open across the city in the years to come. @cupofjoeinthed