August 18-24, 2010
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Page B-8
Metro Detroit invited to ‘Walk for Education’ on Aug. 21 in support of UNCF The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has
been called “the most effective minority educa- tion organization in history.” The organization’s motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste,” is known worldwide. And with the help of the met- ropolitan Detroit region, UNCF will continue its important mission during the 22nd Annual 5K Walk for Education this Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy RiverWalk.
“Every step we take in Michigan brings us that
For elected officials, entertainers, and everyday men, women and children with a stake in Detroit, Neighborhoods Day was a rallying point throughout the city on Aug. 7. To learn more about ARISE Detroit! please visit
www.arisedetroit.org.
Fourth Annual Neighborhoods Day shines positive light throughout ‘The D’ This is our Detroit:
By Scott Talley SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
T
he mission of ARISE Detroit! “is to inspire a community of active engagement, per- sonal responsibility and hope by connecting
people to opportunities and resources to trans- form the quality of life for all Detroiters.”
And for the fourth consecutive year the orga-
nization delivered on its lofty promise through Neighborhoods Day. The Aug. 7 event called on all segments of the community, from all corners of Detroit, for a day of neighborhood cleanups, health fairs, concerts, garage sales, back-to-school fairs and much more.
In recounting the events of the day, the ex-
uberant executive director of ARISE Detroit!, Luther Keith, describes “an amazing spirit across Detroit.”
“Jacinta Lyons saw it in the young volunteers
from Detroit Synergy and the local residents that turned out to clean up the alley in her North End neighborhood,” said Keith, who has recruited more than 400 churches, block clubs, community groups and businesses to be a part of ARISE De- troit!
“Janice Smith saw it and heard it in the acting
and drama skills of talented teenagers during ‘Art at the Curb’ in northwest Detroit.
“It made new houses rise on Detroit’s east side,
renovated a home in northwest Detroit, built a playground at a school in the Brightmoor com- munity and removed tons of rubble from a demol- ished housing site.”
Keith said that same amazing, giving, caring
spirit resulted in nearly 1,000 youngsters receiv- ing backpacks for school, donations of hundreds of books, and the distribution of more than 500 college scholarship applications. The latter was made possible through the Detroit College Prom- ise, which offers college scholarships to Detroit Public Schools students.
For the fourth year in a row, Comerica Bank
was a major sponsor of Neighborhoods Day. “When Luther first came to us, his enthusiasm
for the cause and our city was infectious,” said Louise Guyton, Comerica Bank vice president of Public Affairs. “You could not help but get ex- cited right along with him and what has resulted is really a tribute to his passion and the passion of our citizens.
“Neighborhoods Day represents the best of
Detroit. It is a unique event because it is city- wide and truly attempts to empower everyone. It just keeps getting bigger and better, and en- courages all of our citizens to play an active role in improving their communities.”
Not one to rest on the laurels of the orga-
nization, Keith is already looking ahead to the 5th annual Neighborhoods Day, which will be
much closer to sending more kids to college and fulfilling President Barack Obama’s commitment for America to regain world leadership in the number of college gradu- ates by 2020,” said Michael Lomax, UNCF president and CEO. “UNCF’s Walk for Education is an opportunity for the community to rally together to help chil- dren get the college education our nation needs them to have in order to compete in a global economy.”
To ensure the event’s success, organizers are
calling on members of the community and friends of UNCF to form a team, join a team or regis- ter as individuals. Pre-registration is available through Friday, Aug. 20, by visiting http://give.
uncf.org/DetroitWalk or by calling 313-873- 1500. Walkers also may register on-site Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. Start time for the walk is 9 a.m. Registration is $25 for adults 19 and older, and $15 for individuals between the ages of 12 and 18. Children 11 and under can participate without charge.
Among this year's participants will be an enthu-
siastic contingent representing Comerica Bank. “This is a very important cause and I’m hon-
ored to be a part of it, along with my Comerica colleagues,” said Comerica Senior Vice President Christine Moore, the bank's executive champion for this year's event. “This is an opportunity for everyone to find a way to pay for their college education.”
For 66 years, UNCF has provided financial as-
sistance to students and its 39-member historically Black colleges and universities. Without UNCF’s support, many of the students attending these col- leges would not have access to higher education. Annually, UNCF’s Walk for Education supports more than 60,000 students at more than 900 colleges and universities across America.
The theme of this year’s Detroit event is
“Mind, Body and Spirit” and the fundraising goal is $200,000. The 5K course along the Detroit RiverWalk will begin at Rivard Plaza. Participants will walk the entire route along the shoreline of the Detroit River from Rivard Plaza to Joe Louis Arena and back to the Plaza.
“We want the Metro Detroit community to
Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011. For additional in- formation on ARISE Detroit!, including how to work with the organization throughout the year, please visit
www.arisedetroit.org.
Walk For Education and help build a more diverse workforce and strengthen the community,” said Leslie Andrews, UNCF area development direc- tor. “Everyone who believes that ‘A mind is a ter- rible thing to waste’ should come out and inspire and empower our young people to secure their passports to opportunity — college degrees.”
For additional information on UNCF, please visit
www.uncf.org/detroit.
Comerica in the Community
UNITED FOR THE CAUSE OF GOOD HEALTH: Teresa Rodges (left), executive director of the POH Riley Foundation, shares a moment with Loretta Gary Smith, Comerica Bank vice president of Public Affairs, during a Children’s Sports Health Fair in Pontiac on Aug. 7. Comerica was a sponsor of the fifth annual event pre- sented by the POH Regional Medical Center and the POH Riley Foundation. During the event, which provided health information for the entire family, more than 160 Oakland County students received free sports physicals. The POH Riley Foundation was formed to ensure everyone, regardless of age, race, sex or financial status, has access to state-of-the-art health care services. For additional information, please visit
www.pohregional.org.
VOLUNTEERS REPRESENTING COMERICA’S CORPORATE AUDITING TEAM enjoyed a day of fun and purpose while participating in the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office annual benefit for the disabled at Dodge Park. More than 450 people with special needs and their families participated in this year’s event, which consisted of boat rides, fishing, a picnic lunch, clowns, music, dancing and more.
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