Detroit Lions, Goodwill partner up to create jobs

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions and Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit announced upcoming events Thursday that will help put metro Detroiters facing employment challenges back to work.

Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, the only organization in Southeast Michigan solely dedicated to helping local residents overcome employment challenges and earn jobs, is an official partner of the Lions Living for the City initiative.

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"The Detroit Lions are committed to workforce development and creating jobs in metro Detroit," said Tom Lewand, President of the Detroit Lions. "Every Lions fan has been touched directly or indirectly by the unemployment crisis and now our team and its fans can contribute to an organization whose mission is creating local jobs and helping people get back to work. This partnership mirrors the values of the Detroit Lions organization – dedication and working together can help us accomplish our goals."

The Lions and head coach Jim Schwartz, an avid music fan, will join forces with Goodwill in support of the "Rock for Jobs" concert November 23, at The Fillmore Detroit. The concert will be a celebration of Detroit's musical past and present and a fundraiser supporting its bright economic future. The event will bring together many of the stars who built and continue contributing to the city's musical heritage. Performers scheduled to perform include Alto Reed, Mitch Ryder and Mark Farner.

The Lions have announced they will also designate proceeds from their annual Detroit Lions/Kevin VanDam Charity Bass fishing tournament to Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit. The event will take place at Kensington Metro Park at Kent Lake on Monday, June 10th and will be promoted as the official Lions "Fish for Jobs" event.

In addition, a "Goodwill Game" will take place on Sunday, December 2nd when the Detroit Lions take on the Indianapolis Colts at Ford Field. The game will provide an opportunity for fans to text to support Goodwill's mission as well as other activities and announcements to highlight Goodwill Industries' role in putting metro Detroiters back to work.

"Metro Detroiters are a hard-working group, which explains their love for Detroit Lions Football," said Lorna G. Utley, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit. "We're working together to create ways for dedicated Detroit football fans to help their friends and neighbors become prepared to compete for jobs throughout our region. Our partnership is centered around a large audience sharing in a common solution – just like 60,000 fans cheering on the Lions."

 

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