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30 August 6 • 2009
Health & Fitness
WELLNESS
A Winning Team
A businessman and a former
Globetrotter join forces to help
children at risk.
Robin Schwartz
Special to the Jewish News
T
decades ago, when his
eyesight began to fade from
macular degeneration, Richard
Bleznak, 82, of Birmingham had no idea
the medical condition would ultimately
lead to a moment of clarity. But through a
chance encounter that grew into a lasting
friendship, it did.
As his vision worsened, the retired real
estate investor hired a driver to help him
get around. That driver, Ernest Wagner,
76, of Detroit, a former member of the
Harlem Globetrotters basketball team
(from 1954-1967) just happened to be
embarking on a journey of his own.
At the time, \\raper and Michigan
High School Athletic Association referee
Ernest Winchester were in the process of
starting up the Motor City Youth Initiative
(MCYI). Founded in March 2006, the
non-profit program that is centered
around basketball provides structured
extracurricular activities for young people
at risk. During one of their regular car
trips, Wagner and Bleznak struck up a
conversation about the project.
"Our goal was to start out by teach-
ing boys and girls the fundamentals of
basketball, sportsmanship and team play,"
Wagner said. "We got to talking about it,
and the more we talked about it the more
Richard seemed to want to get involved."
So they kept talking. Before long, the
men discovered how much they have in
common. It turns out Bleznak was once
a basketball player, too. He played for
Michigan State University as a college
student in the late 1940s. Both men devel-
oped strong feelings about teamwork
during their time on the court; both are
also passionate about giving back to the
community.
"I've dedicated my life to doing things
for other people," Bleznak said. "I got
involved because I wanted to help keep
the kids off the streets, and show them
what life is all about:'
WO
Game On!
With Bleznak on board, the men focused
on fundraising. \\ Taper says his friend
single-handedly coordinated a fundrais-
ing drive, bringing in enough money
to fund the MCYI for its first fiscal year.
With cash on hand, the group was able
Richard Bleznak of Birmingham and
Ernest Wagner of Detroit
to rent space at various facilities. They're
now settled at Faith Lutheran Church on
Philip Street in Detroit where more than
100 children ages 7-16 participate in the
weekly program.
"He really changed things dramatically
when he got involved financially;' Wagner
said about Bleznak's participation.
It's something Bleznak also does for
other organizations. In April, MSU's Hillel
recognized him and his wife, Phyllis, as
inspiring Jewish leaders for their years
of generosity and support. Bleznak
has served on the board of trustees of
Congregation Shaarey Zedek of Oakland
County, where he oversaw several build-
ing projects. He also served on the
board of Clover Hill Park Cemetery,
Birmingham.
But right no he's focused on helping
the MCYI continue to grow The group
recently received a donation of 22 com-
puters to set up a lab where participants
can get tutoring and spend supervised
computer time doing homework. When
the organization held its second annual
banquet June 27, Bleznak was honored for
his hard work and dedication.
"Some of these kids never saw a com-
puter before',' he said. "This program
leads to a good education. I tell these kids
they're the future leaders of Detroit and
I come from the heart doing this. It's a
great pleasure for me and it makes me
feel good about myself':
Both men look back fondly at the cir-
cumstances that brought them together.
"It had to be fate; it was in the plans,"
Wagner said, "I know God played a part:'
Now, they share a bond only true team-
mates could understand; teammates who
continue to keep their eyes on the ball.
"We're like family," Bleznak said."We're
on the phone, talking all the time. And
we're always finding new ways to raise
money!"