The Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities, in partnership with Miguel and Rosangel Cabrera, G1 Impact and Serve Foundation, distributed thousands of locally made masks to Detroiters at a special community giveaway on Monday.

The event took place at the Durfee Innovation Society an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for Detroiters, and served residents of Hope Village, Russell Woods, Nardin Park, LCBC, Virginia Park and Boston Edison, as well as the Central High School & Durfee K-8 school district. Volunteers from community organization Life Remodeled came together to make it all happen.

The mask distribution was funded by a $10,000 gift from Miguel and Rosangel Cabrera, in partnership with the Detroit Tigers Foundation. They were manufactured through G1 Impact’s network of approved vendors and local small area businesses, who’ve made a dedicated effort to create or sustain jobs for their employees in recent months.

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The Ilitch companies’ mask production initiative has entered its second successful week, with mobilized employees manufacturing thousands of masks per day at their new facility. As announced at the outset, these protective masks will go not only to fellow employees and customers, but also community organizations across the metro-Detroit region.

A hallmark of the initiative – one being driven by many Ilitch employees who call Detroit home – the masks will continue to be donated to charities and groups throughout the city in the days and weeks ahead.

The first masks to come off the line were donated to residents of Bicentennial Tower, a senior citizen center located in Detroit. They were delivered by Rian English-Barnhill, Vice President of Government & Community Affairs for Olympia Development of Michigan and Mary Sheffield, Detroit City Council President Pro Tempore, to residents in the Councilwoman’s midtown district.

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A Two-Time Unanimous All-American at Arizona State, Torkelson Ranks as One of the Best Hitters in College Baseball History

The Detroit Tigers selected third baseman Spencer Torkelson from Arizona State University with the first overall pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Torkelson, 20, established himself as one of the top hitters in NCAA history over his two-plus seasons as a Sun Devil, batting a combined .337/.463/.729 with 33 doubles, 54 home runs and 130 RBI. His home run total was just two shy of tying Bob Horner’s school record of 56 homers. Torkelson was a unanimous All-American and was selected to play for the U.S. Collegiate National Team in 2018 and 2019.

Belting 25 home runs as a freshman in 2018 and 23 as a sophomore in 2019, Torkelson became just the third player in Pac-12 history to have consecutive seasons with 25-or-more longballs. If he had hit 25-or-more home runs in his junior season, Torkelson would have cracked the NCAA top-10 all-time leaderboard, a feat accomplished by just one player since 2000.

“Spencer is exactly the type of player we hoped would be there for us with the top pick in this year’s draft,” said Scott Pleis, Detroit Tigers Director of Amateur Scouting. “He’s one of the most polished hitters we’ve seen in the draft for quite some time, showing plus-plus power and excellent plate discipline. We’ve been tracking Spencer’s growth and performance since his breakout freshman season at Arizona State, and are excited to see him grow in the coming years.”

Torkelson put together one of the best freshman seasons in college baseball history in 2018, batting .320/.440/.743 with 12 doubles, 25 home runs and 53 RBI. Torkelson led the country with 25 home runs, which were two more than any other player and just one shy of the NCAA freshman record. His also easily surpassed the previous Arizona State freshman record of 11 home runs in a season, set by Barry Bonds in 1983. Torkelson was tabbed the National Freshman of the Year by Perfect Game, the National Co-Freshman of the Year by Collegiate Baseball News, the National Freshman Hitter of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.

“After completing a comprehensive and truly unique pre-draft evaluation of the top players, our decision to select Spencer was a clear one,” said Al Avila, Detroit Tigers Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager. “We’re excited to have him join our player development system and know that his outstanding performance in the batter’s box, in the field and in the clubhouse will be assets to our organization for years to come.”

A native of Petaluma, CA, Torkelson was a four-year varsity starter at Casa Grande High School, hitting .430 with 32 doubles, 11 home runs and 99 RBI in 110 games. He also maintained a 1.24 ERA in 16 career appearances on the mound, throwing 22.2 innings.

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Earlier today, at the request of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Reverend Wendell Anthony, President, Detroit Branch of the NAACP, business leaders from Detroit came together in a show of solidarity. They spoke out against racism and injustice, committing to collectively champion equality, diversity and inclusion across their companies and communities.

A replay of the press conference can be found on the City of Detroit’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CityofDetroit/videos/177029263748555/.

The demonstration of unity included CEOs of nine Detroit corporations, including Chris Ilitch, President and CEO, Ilitch Holdings. Ilitch’s complete remarks are below.

Today we stand together to champion equality, justice and respect for the African American community. I am proud to stand with those who support diversity and inclusion and condemn hatred, racism, prejudice and violence.

I want to join in thanking Mayor Duggan and Reverend Anthony for bringing us together.

No doubt, these have been difficult days. We all mourn the tragic and all-too-common loss of African American lives. We are saddened. We are troubled. We are angry.

But anger is not enough. We have a moral obligation to meet intolerance and injustice with action and resolve. We need to peacefully and productively channel our grief and shared sense of decency into lasting and positive change.

The strength of this city lies in the spirit of this city and in the grace and goodwill of its people.

It lies in our ability to rally. To rise. And to demand better.

Like all of you, I love this city. It’s why my parents moved our headquarters here. And it’s why we’ve grown our businesses here.  

We are proud and privileged to call Detroit home. But with that comes responsibility.

A responsibility to help lead and uplift the community in times like this. And that’s what today is all about. Collectively acknowledging the systemic issues facing the African American community. And collectively demanding, and helping to deliver, meaningful solutions.  

It’s not enough to simply stand here and talk. Now is the time for us to act.

To the African American community let me say: We see and hear you. We respect you. We stand with you.

Thank you.

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The Ilitch Companies protective mask production initiative, announced last week, officially launched today at their newly opened facility. The effort is being driven by dedicated employees from across the organization, all of whom were presented with the opportunity to participate in this important endeavor. Employees are working in either full or part-time shifts depending on their availability, and participation is optional.

“Our inaugural shift today was a seamless success, thanks to the positive energy and enthusiasm of our employees,” said Alex Graff, Operations Manager. “You could see and feel the pride that they take in this work that benefits their fellow colleagues and uplifts their communities. Everyone is excited for day two and beyond.”

For many, participating in mask production is an important way to give back to their hometown.

The sentiment was echoed by other employees who were on hand for day one.

“I am just really happy to be able to help with this project,” said Janae Stinson-Brown, Security Manager, Little Caesars Arena, Fox Theatre and the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre. “It’s important that our visitors, our guests and our colleagues all feel safe.”

With an estimated output of 60,000 masks per day, the facility will continue to supply masks to employees, franchisees, customers, fans and guests. The masks will also be donated to community groups and organizations who need them. “To design, set-up and activate a production facility like what we have here in less than two months is truly impressive,” said Eric Brasseur, who is overseeing the facility. “This was made possible by the collective efforts and adaptability of employees across our family of companies. They have taken this from an important idea to an impactful reality.”

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This week, Little Caesars Love Kitchen, in partnership with local franchisees and the United Way, traveled to Midland, Mich. to distribute free pizzas to those in need.

Midland County residents have been affected by catastrophic flooding that has forced about 11,000 people across mid-Michigan to evacuate their homes following the failure of two nearby dams. Volunteers from United Way of Midland County have already collected food and supplies and set up 11 distribution centers across the county.

Since its inception in 1985, Little Caesars Love Kitchen has partnered with countless food pantries and community organizations across America to serve pizza to those in need at no cost. An estimated 50,000 franchise owners, employees and corporate colleagues nationwide have graciously donated food and volunteers. Now celebrating its 35^th year, Love Kitchen has fed more than 3.5 million people to date, including more than 113,000 people in 2019 alone.

To learn more about the United Way of Midland County and how to help, visit UnitedWayMidland.org.

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For more than 60 years, innovation, entrepreneurship and resolve have been foundational pillars of the Ilitch organization — one that has long prided itself on its ability to swiftly adapt to meet the evolving needs of customers, local communities and employees.

Seeing a significant need for a reliable supply of protective face masks to help ensure health and safety, the Ilitch companies mobilized to set up a mask manufacturing facility and are training a core group of current employees on production. With an estimated output of 60,000 masks per day, the facility will soon supply masks to employees, franchisees, customers, fans and guests. These crucial masks will also be donated to community groups and organizations that need them.

In addition to mask production, the organization will continue to explore the evolving needs and demands of today’s changing marketplace. Dedicated teams will continue to actively research and ideate, with a focus on developing products and services that enhance safety, well-being and the consumer experience.

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Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera and his wife, Rosangel, have personally partnered with the Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities, to donate $250,000 to several distinguished organizations in Detroit that serve families and children.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District will receive $50,000 to aid in meal distribution to students and families. The Detroit Public Schools Foundation will also receive $50,000, which will go to the Connected Future initiative to help bridge the digital divide by providing tablets, six months of sponsored internet and IT support for all 51,000 DPSCD students.

“We partnered with the Detroit Tigers Foundation to make a donation that will assist with meals for children, technology for students, affordable childcare, and protective face masks for families,” noted Cabrera. “The people of Detroit have been so great to us over the years and we hope this brings some hope and positivity to this very strong city. We will get through this together.”

Their generosity will also extend to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) and Brilliant Detroit, receiving $140,000 to support their collaboration to provide affordable childcare for families.

The remaining $10,000 of the donation will support a philanthropic collaboration organized by G1 Impact to hire Detroiters to manufacture 100,000 reusable, hospital-grade masks for children and families in the community.

For more information on the Detroit Tigers Foundation, visit www.detroittigersfoundation.com.

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First 1,000 fans will get to pull up a chair and interact with Hall of Famers Alan Trammell and Jack Morris and Manager Ron Gardenhire

The Detroit Tigers and longtime partner, Miller Lite, are hosting their first virtual happy hour. The event will kick off Tuesday, May 19 at 5 p.m. EST. The first 1,000 fans to join the Zoom chat will have the opportunity to pull up a chair and ask questions to Tigers personnel and alumni greats through the Zoom chat function.  

The Miller Lite Happy Hour will be hosted by FOX Sports Detroit Tigers play-by-play announcer, Matt Shepard. Guests include Hall of Famers Alan Trammell and Jack Morris, and Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire.

The Zoom link will be released on the Tigers Twitter (@tigers) Tuesday, May 19, at 5 p.m. EST. The first 1,000 fans to click and register will be admitted into the event.

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