The Detroit Lions announced Living for the City, a new philanthropic initiative, with Playworks Detroit as one of only five formal partners.
Playworks will serve as the official Detroit Lions Play 60 partner, promoting physical activity and safe, meaningful play at Detroit area schools and throughout the community. “We are very excited to partner with the Detroit Lions”, says Jeannine Gant, Playworks Detroit Executive Director. “They understand the value of play as a way of not only helping our children stay healthy, but as a way of promoting more positive social interactions and reducing bullying. This will help students on the playground, in the classroom and in the community.”
Through this new partnership, Playworks Detroit will offer pre-game and on-field activities for kids throughout the Detroit Lions season, continue Playworks program in Detroit areas schools, as well as work with students from the Detroit Lions Academy to promote physical activity, conflict resolution, and volunteerism.
“We actually held a pre-game recess at the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day game in 2010 as a part of the NFL Play 60 initiative. But this new partnerships takes the commitment of promoting physical activity and play to a whole new level. I don’t think there is any other NFL team in the country that is stepping up like the Detroit Lions”, said Gant.
According to Tom Lewand, team president, The Detroit Lions, “Living for the City is a reflection of the Detroit Lions’ commitment to Detroit’s resurgence, and our focus on areas of critical need.” Lewand and the Detroit Lions organization are excited for the potential that Living for the City offers for making a real difference in the Detroit community. Additional partners include the Detroit Eastern Market, Goodwill Industries of Detroit, Hatch Detroit and the Detroit Lions Academy.
Photos in this story are from the Detroit Lions Living for the City media announcement, featuring Playworks, Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Go Lions!
