Across communities, people continue to quietly and compassionately step up in support of one another during these difficult times. There have been countless acts of humble kindness. Donations of goods. Donations of money. Donations of time. Every gesture has an empowering and uplifting impact.

Kroger is making a meaningful effort to support their dedicated employees across the state of Michigan and throughout the country. As a way of acknowledging the hard work and dedication of their staff, Kroger recently worked alongside to Little Caesars to say “thank you” to employees at all 119 stores across Michigan.

Nearly 40 local Little Caesars franchisees delivered pizzas through the state to Kroger’s more-than-17,000 in-store employees in a heartening example of good people doing good things.

Additionally, thanks to long-term relationships with Kroger and Meijer, more than 2,000 Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings event colleagues have been provided with insight into temporary jobs at the various locations of the grocery store chains, which are experiencing increased demand.

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Dear Tigers Fans,

I hope this note finds you, your family and loved ones healthy and safe. I wanted to take this time and space to share a few personal thoughts on an icon; a gentleman who made an indelible impact on our community, our team and the game we all love — “Mr. Tiger,” Al Kaline.

We lost a true legend this week.

One of the greatest to ever wear the Olde English ‘D,’ Al was a rare gift to the game of baseball, and to all of us. For 22 years, he graced our fields. He could do it all on the diamond. And did. He had speed, power, and a mythical outfield arm. A perennial All-Star, World Series Champion and Hall of Famer, he was a truly brilliant ballplayer — destined for greatness from day one in the Major Leagues in 1953.

Al was a Tiger through and through, forging a 67-year bond with this organization, the city of Detroit, and our passionate fans the world over. Beloved broadcaster. Trusted team advisor. #6 was a champion in every sense of the word.

To know Al was to love him. On the field, he was a once-in-a-generation talent. Off the field, he was a true gentleman. Al had that unique ability to connect with people; to immediately put you at ease. He was affable. He was approachable. And he always made time for fans.

Like the city he was so proud to play for and represent, Al was humble and big-hearted. He rooted for the city with the same fervor that the city rooted for him. How fortunate we were to call him one of our own — a Detroit Tiger.

I’ve been moved by the countless memories and tributes many of you have shared these past few days. It’s brought back countless memories of my own. I’ll miss seeing him at the ballpark. I’ll miss walking the fields with him at Spring Training. And the stories — boy could he tell a story, as only someone who spent 22 years as a big leaguer can. I’d just sit back, smile and listen, relishing every moment of it.

The meticulous approach he took to his craft. The personal anecdotes spanning decades. The inside story on the historic moments. Classy and congenial, Al just plain made you feel good about things. He was more than just a trusted advisor; he was a friend. And I’ll miss him dearly.

These are difficult days for all of us. But I hope the many memories of this amazing man bring a little joy when we need it most. An uplifting escape. Let’s remember Al’s kindness, his humility, and his love for this community. No doubt, he would want us to continue to stand strong, resilient and #TogetherDetroit.

Chris

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A Statement from Detroit Tigers Chairman and CEO, Christopher Ilitch

Baseball lost a titan today. Anyone who knew Mr. Kaline would describe his gentle soul and passion for baseball as an unbelievably powerful combination, making him one of the most respected players in Major League Baseball history. My mother and father appreciated their special relationship with Mr. Kaline, who was a trusted advisor and dear friend for many years.

His dedication to Detroit was unparalleled, and Mr. Tiger’s positive contributions to the sport will forever be realized by baseball fans everywhere. The impact of his life is wide-reaching, and he will be greatly missed by millions in Detroit, the state of Michigan and the across the baseball community. The heartfelt condolences of the Tigers organization are with Al’s wife, Louise, and the entire Kaline family.  

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It was the elevator ride of a lifetime for Jenae Lodewyk, a first-year student at the Mike Ilitch School of Business and Wayne State University sophomore. All she had to do was sell herself in 86 seconds to top business executive while cruising the floors of Detroit’s historic Guardian Building in the Ilitch School’s annual Elevator Pitch Competition.

“I remember thinking that all that I could do when I walked into that elevator was share with the judges the life I’ve come from, who I am, where I’m looking to go and hope that they see me,” she says.

In the final round, she pitched her personal statement to a boardroom panel of judges from Ally, Deloitte, Detroit Pistons, Enterprise and Google, earning first-place.

“My professor encouraged me to enter and step out of my comfort zone. I was hungry to jump into any opportunity to help me grow as a student and a business professional,” she says. She chose Wayne State because it’s the most diverse public university in Michigan. “I felt coming here would force me out of my hometown bubble, open doors for me and make me a more cultured person.”

In addition to enrollment in the Ilitch School, Jenae works for the Detroit Red Wings on the Red Patrol team. “They are very selective with who they want representing their fans,” she says. “Everyone is truly there to lift the community and I love that.”

Jenae says her long-term plan is to work in human resources in sports and entertainment. “I also want to do diversity and inclusion, because that is my passion.” To this end, she recently accepted a summer internship position for the Detroit Pistons to do just that.

Jenae walked away from the competition with much more than the top prize and honors. She says she has a new mentor at Google looking out for her, a summer internship in human resources at the Detroit Pistons and many Detroit leaders interested in hearing and seeing what she does next.

The Mike Ilitch School of Business, a vital addition to Wayne State University and The District Detroit, was created with a $40-million donation by Mike and Marian Ilitch. Since the gift announcement, the school’s total enrollment has increased by 40 percent, Graduate MBA enrollment has nearly doubled and now more than 4,000 students are closer to the downtown Detroit business community.

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In 1999, the Detroit Tigers hired 28-year-old Heather Nabozny as Head Groundskeeper — the first woman in all Major League Baseball to hold the position. It was the final year at Tiger Stadium, and construction was well underway on Comerica Park.

Heather has been a leader in professional sports throughout her career. Now in her 22nd season with the Tigers, she reflects on her time at Comerica Park.

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When we take part in tradition, it reminds us of fond memories with family and friends. In this spirit, members of the Detroit Choir from the Detroit Academy of Arts and Science came together online to perform “God Bless America” from their homes in honor of Opening Day.

“Opening Day is such an important day for our city and state,” says Ellen Hill Zeringue, Vice President of Marketing, Detroit Tigers. “It truly unifies our community. Even though baseball is on pause, the Tigers are committed to delivering inspiring and entertaining content for our fans during this unprecedented time. We will get through this together.”

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It’s an annual holiday. The sights and sounds. The tradition, spirit and excitement. While the crack of the bat won’t echo throughout Comerica Park today, we celebrate Detroit’s resilience as we look toward the future with hope and determination, standing #TogetherDetroit.  

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Longstanding trusted carry-out and delivery chain well-equipped to serve customers who crave safety, a contactless experience, and inexpensive meals

• Pizza chain now delivers and offers free delivery for a limited time
• Has contactless pickup and delivery
• Only chain with the Pizza Portal, where customers scan their phones and pick up their pizza from a heated compartment, no contact required
• Products baked in 475-degree oven and not touched while packaged
• Hiring more employees to meet increased demand

Little Caesars, the family-owned pizza chain known for low priced products like the $5 HOT-N-READY and cheesy, buttery Crazy Bread, has been serving wholesome meals since 1959. The chain also recently debuted nationwide delivery and is offering free delivery for a limited time, with the lowest menu prices in the industry among national chains. Little Caesars is ready to serve customers like it always has, with just a few enhancements.

“While we’ve always been the place people go for an affordable meal in a pinch, the public is relying on us now more than ever,” says President and CEO, Dave Scrivano. “We can provide them with something very few other businesses can: a safer way to get inexpensive meals for their families, just when they need them the most. We’ve been doing this for decades.”

Little Caesars now offers contactless options for both carry out and delivery, and is the only pizza chain where hot, fresh orders wait for customers in heated Pizza Portal compartments for self-pickup using a QR code that is sent to their smartphones. If customers select the delivery option in the Little Caesars mobile app or online, they will have a contactless experience – orders are left on a front doorstep, or wherever the customer specifies.

Little Caesars pizzas are baked in 475-degree ovens and only handled with sanitized tools after baking. The chain has also reinforced cleanliness and sanitization procedures, increasing the frequency of cleaning frequently touched surfaces including door handles, glass, countertops, Pizza Portal surfaces, phones, and cash registers.

“What many people don’t realize is that the vast majority of Little Caesars stores are locally owned as  small businesses.  We have thousands of independent franchisees around the world who are working hard to serve the public,” says Rick Muse, Senior Vice President of Field Operations. “We are glad that our service is one that the community deeply appreciates during these times, and we are happy to continue offering employment to those who wish to work. In fact, we are hiring more workers to keep up with the demand, particularly for delivery.”

As a family-owned business, Little Caesars cares for its employees. It is ensuring safety policies are in place for them and offering flexible work arrangements for those who would like to work.  Little Caesars and its franchisees employ more than 100,000 people worldwide. Its policies promote the highest level of care for the safety of its crew members, customers, and communities.

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In difficult times throughout history, the game of baseball has entertained, brought comfort and fostered togetherness. In this spirit, the Detroit Tigers are inviting fans everywhere to join in singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” on Saturday, March 21 at 2 p.m., whether outside or in their own homes.

Fans can also share a video of themselves singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” on Twitter, tag @Tigers, and use the hashtag #TogetherDetroit to join the chorus of fans online.

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