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Kicking

114 The Park

CommunityNEXT's 5th annual
Pitch for Detroit is a home run.

"We were thrilled to partner with
the
Detroit Firehouse Engine 33/
more than 800 people
Ladder
13 to respond to their need
ventured out to Belle Isle
for
improved
safety equipment, basic
for CommunityNEXT's fifth
household
supplies
and furnishings
annual Pitch for Detroit. This was the
that
might
help
to
enhance
their
second year Pitch took place on Belle
everyday
life
at
work,"
Blanck
said.
Isle and the first time the tournament
The
event
also
drew
more
players
ditched softball to play some fun and
than ever before. In all, 16 teams of
competitive kickball in Detroit.
200 players competed in the kickball
This year, the event raised $22,000
tournament.
A crowd of more than
to support Detroit
600 spectators,
Firehouse Engine 33/
including many friends
Ladder 13 located in
and
families, grabbed
southwest Detroit, the
a
hot
dog, listened to
most that has been
music
and cheered on
raised in the five years
their
friends.
of Pitch for Detroit.
There were plenty of
"We think it's really
activities
for children as
cool that NEXTGen
well:
The
Detroit Fire
has found us," said
Department
Clown
firefighter Adam
Team
was
on
hand to
4
r-4,
Green. "No one has
put
a
smile
on
young
Benji
Rosenzweig
of
Detroit
ever reached out to
faces,
and
kids
were
and
his
daughters
hang
out
us with a gift like this
able
to
hop
on
the
with
PAWS
by
the
fire
truck.
before."
fire truck, meet the
The money raised
firefighters and even
will provide the
get their very own
firemen with new safety equipment,
firefighter
hat.
They
even had the
boots and clothes.
chance
to
meet
Paws
from the Detroit
Chairing the event was Adam
Tigers!
Blanck, who originally conceived and
The firemen of Detroit Firehouse
founded the event with close friend
Engine
33/Ladder 13 and their families
Benjy Gordon. Blanck and Gordon
were
on
hand as well, sharing their
created Pitch for Detroit after seeing
stories
and
playing in the tournament,
the need for young people to be a
making
this
a truly unique and
part of a diverse community that
meaningful
day
in the event's five-
contributes to the strengthening the
year
history.
❑
city.

0

n Sunday, Aug. 10,

ro, ke

7

Isaac Agree
Downtown Synagogue
President Leor Barak
is cheered on by his
team members.

54 August 21 • 2014

Top fundraisers from Team Scott Levine Real Estate

Federation CEO Scott
Kaufman biked from

Huntington Woods to
Belle Isle with 45 others.

20f1

Pitch for Detroit Champion Team Axe n Ladder Deli

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.051: 117.5301 53708651:1 21501

TWO

Check going to the firehouse: Captain Tom Wickman,
Pitch for Detroit Chair Adam Blanck, fireman Adam
Green.

Sparky the Dog came out with the Detroit Fire
Department Clown Team and hangs out with Sophie
Mertz of Huntington Woods