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METRO
DETROIT
YOUTH
DAY SET
TO
CELEBRATE
27TH
ANNIVERSARY
JULY 8,
2009 ON
BELLE
ISLE
One of
the
highlights
of
summer
for more
than
30,000
youngsters
from the
Metro
Detroit
area is
the
annual
Metro
Detroit
Youth
Day.
This
year
(2009)
the
colorful
event
for
children
will
celebrate
its 27th
anniversary.
Metro
Youth
Day
began
following
altercations
between
youth
and
Detroit
merchants
in the
summer
of 1980.
The
event
was
created
to show
youngsters
that
businesses,
the
community
and
civic
organizations
do care
about
our
youth.
“Metro
Detroit
Youth
Day is a
success
story
about
people
and
organizations
working
together
for
harmonious
community
relations,”
said Ed
Deeb,
co-founder
and
coordinator
of the
event.
He is
president
of the
Michigan
Food and
Beverage
Association
(MFBA),
one of
the
event’s
main
sponsors.
“The
fun-filled
day
gives
kids a
chance
to enjoy
time
away
from
home in
the
middle
of
summer
while
participating
in
supervised,
constructive
activities,”
Deeb
continued.
“The day
emphasizes
sportsmanship,
fair
play and
leadership.”
In
addition
the day
is a
catalyst
in
channeling
children’s
energy
in a
positive
and
constructive
setting.
Special
games
and
activities
are also
included
for the
growing
number
of
disabled
or
handicapped
youngsters
participating.
Originally,
the goal
was to
help
foster
goodwill
and
harmony.
Ten
years
later,
the
event
was
expanded
to
include
youth
guidance,
mentors,
role
models,
anti-substance
abuse
activity,
motivational
speakers,
entertainment
and
awarding
45 or
more
college
scholarships
to
graduating
high
school
seniors.
Metro
Detroit
Youth
Day also
honors
non-seniors
in high
schools
for
academic
achievement
and
community
service
each
year.
Sports
stars,
government
officials,
media
celebrities
and
others
attend
the
event
and
provide
upbeat
messages
and
encouragement
to the
youth.
In
addition,
Michigan’s
food
industry
provides
a
nutritious
lunch
and
sponsors
help by
providing
buses to
get
youngsters
to and
from
Belle
Isle.
More
than 290
community
and
youth
organizations
participate
in Metro
Youth
Day,
including
more
than 200
business
sponsors.
“When we
help our
kids, we
provide
meaning
to their
lives
and
service
to
humanity,
which I
feel is
the best
work of
life,”
Deeb
said.
To learn
how you
can
participate
as
organizations,
volunteers
or as
sponsors,
contact
MFBA
(586)
393-8800.
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