Shelby Township celebrates March Madness, Opening Day, benefits Special Recreation program

Shelby Township employees will have the opportunity to embrace March Madness and Spring Fever while benefitting a good cause starting March 28.

To celebrate the continued success of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University in the NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball tournament and the Detroit Tigers Opening Day, Township employees will be showing their school and team spirit starting with wearing Michigan or Michigan State apparel March 28 before the teams’ respective Sweet 16 matchups.

Following that, employees will be able to wear Detroit Tigers apparel to celebrate the opening of the hometown nine’s 2014 season at Comerica Park.

In order to take part in the celebration, employees will make $3 contributions to benefit Shelby Township Parks and Recreation’s Special Recreation program for the developmentally-disabled population.

“This is a great opportunity for our employees to take part in the celebration of our successful college and professional sports teams in metro Detroit,” Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said. “But, to be able to raise funds for the Special Recreation is even greater. To support those amazing athletes while celebrating our local teams is truly a win-win.”

And, the more spirit employees exhibit, the more the Township raises for the program as an additional donation of $1 per apparel item will be accepted after the initial $3 donation for the first article of clothing. If the Spartans or Wolverines survive through the weekend and earn spots in the Final Four April 4 and 5, the opportunity to raise even more funds exists.

“We’re in this to the end of the tournament, and I hope we can raise a lot more until the Spartans and Wolverines face each other in the National Championship game,” Stathakis said. “I’m a Titan and graduated from the University of Detroit, so I won’t be rooting for either team specifically, but I will be rooting for Special Recreation and hope our local teams give us the opportunity to raise more funds for them.”

The Shelby Township Parks and Recreation’s Special Recreation program for the developmentally-disabled population began with 14 registered members involved in bowling and a softball team in 1995.

Since that time, the program has grown to its current standing with more than 150 registered members taking part in bowling, softball, Special Olympics basketball, dances, dinner outings, movie trips, Winter Special Olympics, Summer Special Olympics, Local Special Olympics, fitness classes, and Arts and Craft Days. 

“It’s hard to put into words how beneficial the Special Recreation program is to the individuals it serves,” Parks, Recreation and Maintenance Director Joe Youngblood said. “It offers these athletes a chance to compete and take part in leisure activities. But, more importantly, it gives them a place to socialize and create bonds with their peers.”