Monday, October 7, 2013

Meet 10 Michigan 'game-changers' honored by the Detroit Pistons

(Courtesy of MLive)
by Dustin Block

AUBURN HILLS, MI – Online voting is up and running for the Detroit Pistons 2013 Game Changer of the Year award.

The Pistons selected 10 finalists for the annual award designed to honor people making a difference in their communities. Along with the award, announced Nov. 25 during the Pistons game vs. Milwaukee Bucks, the winner will receive a 2013 Chrysler 300C John Varvatos Limited Edition.

Finalists for the award include:

 
Amy Burk, Flushing, Mich. - Brought non-profit Communities in Schools to Mancelona
Brianna Moore, Detroit, Mich. - Raised money and awareness for veterans, Ronald McDonald House and the Green LifeSavers Recycling Foundation

Kenyetta Dotson, Flint, Mich. - coordinated special events to reduce violence by fulfilling unmet needs in north Flint

Lena Pernell, Detroit, Mich. - Founder and executive director of Real Life. My Music., which provides inner city Detroit youth with hope and inspiration during times when they are most vulnerable through programs built on arts and music.

Reggie Hartsfield, Detroit, Mich. - long-term mentor in Cornerstone Schools’ dynamic Partner Program

Veronika Scott, Detroit, Mich. - Founded The Empowerment Plan, which hires homeless mothers from local shelters to become seamstresses sewing and manufacturing coats that transform into sleeping bags for the homeless

Anthony Ianni, East Lansing, Mich. - Diagnosed with autism, Ianni still graduated from Michigan State and played Big Ten basketball. He's leading a statewide anti-bullying campaign called the "Relentless Tour," where he will visit 659 middle schools in 180 days.

Don Wackerle, Pinconning, Mich. - Created a summer camp for children and adults with special physical needs, which the kids named Camp FishTales

Jamie Jones, Albion, Mich. - Organizes search parties to find missing youth and adults in and out of the state of Michigan

Alex Zayid, Commerce Township, Mich. - After losing his father to cancer, Alex started a non-profit organization called Youth For The Fight and raised $21,000 for the American Cancer Society
Read more about the nominees and their inspiring stories at www.pistons.com/community.

The first round of voting runs through Oct. 18 and will narrow the field to three candidates. Final voting will run from Nov. 1-15.

The Pistons will present the inaugural Game Changer of the Year award on a Pistons’ Hometown Hero Monday through the Pistons’ Community Relations platform, Come Together – which embodies the goal of utilizing the Pistons and Palace to bring Michigan together, celebrating those that make a positive impact through volunteerism in their own communities.

Game Changers – who are making a difference in their community through leadership, service and volunteerism – can be nominated in-person at Pistons home games or any time at www.pistons.com/community. Selected Game Changers and their inspirational stories are recognized at
Pistons home games.

“The Game Changers program thanks the unsung heroes who are helping others in the community, while encouraging others to give back,” said Dennis Mannion, CEO and president of Palace Sports & Entertainment. “It’s really important for the Pistons and Come Together to recognize how invaluable a Game Change is to the people they help, and the Chrysler 300C is a grand symbol to honor those leading by example.”

By Dustin Block | dblock@mlive.com
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Reference Link: http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/detroit/index.ssf/2013/10/meet_10_michigan_game-changers.html

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