DETROIT – The Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund of Detroit will honor Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. and chairman of Ilitch Charities, with the Edward H. McNamara Goodfellow of the Year Award at the charity's 26th annual Tribute Breakfast, October 9 at 8 AM at Cobo Center. WJR, a major sponsor of the event, will broadcast portions of the breakfast live.
With an enduring and community-wide commitment, Ilitch has made an important difference in the lives of children for many years through Ilitch Charities, which focuses on human services, community development, education and recreation and includes Detroit Tigers Foundation, Ilitch Companies, and Detroit Red Wings Foundation. Previously, in 1992, Ilitch's parents Marian & Mike Ilitch were recognized together as recipients of the award.
Recommended Videos
"The strong commitment, dedication and leadership of prominent Detroit families enables our organization and others like it to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people, especially children, within the Detroit community," said Nancy Foran, president, Detroit Goodfellows.
Other prior recipients include the Detroit Police Department; Compuware Co-Founder Peter Karmanos, Jr.; American real estate developer A. Alfred Taubman; internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter, philanthropist and native Detroiter Kid Rock and Kid Rock Foundation; Ford CEO Alan Mulally; Detroit broadcast legend Dick Purtan and his wife Gail; UAW President Ron Gettelfinger; Judge Damon Keith; Mayor Dave Bing; Detroit Tigers Manager Sparky Anderson; Governor Jennifer Granholm and First Gentleman Dan Mulhern; and, Lisa and William Clay Ford.
Tickets for the 26th annual Tribute Breakfast are $150 or $1,500 for a table of 10. There are also special $5,000 Santa Circle tables available. Additional corporate sponsorships are also offered.
Revenue raised at the benefit event will go toward the Detroit Goodfellows' 2015 fundraising goal of $1.1 million, which will help provide 34,000 holiday gift packages containing clothing, books, candy and toys for needy children in Detroit, Highland Park, Harper Woods, River Rouge and Hamtramck.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Detroit Goodfellows director Sari Klok-Schneider at (586) 775-6139 or sarigoodfellows@gmail.com. Tickets may also be purchased online.
Founded in 1914, the Detroit Goodfellows is the original and oldest Goodfellows organization and is not affiliated with any other Goodfellow group. It also sponsors an emergency dental program for children, awards scholarships through Wayne State University, provides free shoes to children in need and helps send hundreds of needy children to camp each summer.
For more information and updates "Like" Detroit Goodfellows on Facebook.