July 19 , 2010
Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THINK DETROIT PAL TO HOST RIBBON CUTTING AT ST. HEDWIG PARK
MAGGLIO ORDONEZ TO BE HONORED FOR COMMITTMENT TO SOUTHWEST DETROIT
 
DETROIT, Mich.—As part of its ongoing commitment to the youth of Detroit,  Think Detroit PAL will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at St. Hedwig Park on July 23 at 1 PM to officially honor Detroit Tigers right fielder Magglio Ordoñez Field and his commitment to Southwest Detroit and youth baseball.    

Ordoñez will be on hand for the official ribbon cutting and the afternoon’s festivities which include a youth baseball game and barbeque. Additionally, Summer in the City, a local non-profit, will unveil a mural that has been painted for the field by community youth volunteers.

Renovations for the St. Hedwig site began last year when Think Detroit PAL and the Detroit Tigers Foundation broke ground in April. Ordoñez, an avid community partner, donated $200,000 for park improvements including the complete renovation of a high school regulation-size baseball diamond.  Two softball received improvements including a new infield, outfield fences, dugouts and bleachers.

See before and after pictures here!

“This is a wonderful example of how a community can be transformed by the generosity of one person,” said Kristen Kaszeta, director of communications and special projects for Think Detroit PAL.  “This renovation has been a catalyst for bringing the community together and providing hundreds of kids the opportunity to play baseball in a clean, safe environment.”   

“St. Hedwig has been an integral part of youth baseball in Detroit,” said Ish Ledesma, president of the St. Hedwig Coalition.   “This park has really re-energized our community and lets us continue with our baseball tradition for years to come.”

Think Detroit PAL was formed on March 1, 2006, by the merger of two of the leading youth development organizations in the Detroit area:  Think Detroit, Inc. and the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL). The organization is one of the largest non-profit urban youth leadership programs in the nation and serves nearly 12,000 youth annually.

The Detroit Tigers Foundation was established in 2005 to enhance lives through the game of baseball. With a focus on youth, education and recreation, the Foundation aids and develops initiatives that help promote the game of baseball.