Detroit Tigers Pay it Forward With Charities

So much attention is paid to the Detroit Tigers on field successes and failures that we often overlook what they do and who they are as individuals off the field.  Some of our favorite Tigers are amongst the most charitable in the Major League funding their own organizations or championing a cause that’s near and dear to their hearts.  The energy and effort that they put towards these causes is truly commendable.

Justin Verlander has created an organization called “Wins for Warriors” by committing $1 million of his own money.  The organization supports the mental health and well-being of veterans and their families that have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Wins for Warriors provides annual grants to organizations in Detroit and Verlander’s hometown and college towns of Richmond and Norfolk in Virginia.  During 2015, Wins for Warriors announced over $327,000 in grants to 6 organizations.   One such organization benefiting from Verlander  and WFW is Give an Hour who provides free mental health services for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.  Wins for Warriors can be followed on Twitter @winsforwarriors.

Verlander also has is proud to sponsor a program called “Victory for Veterans” which honors wounded veterans that have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.  For his home starts, Verlander invites veterans and their families from the Detroit area that have suffered injuries or illnesses from their tours abroad to watch the game from his own personal luxury suite at Comerica Park.  “So many brave men and women sacrifice each and every day so that we as Americans can enjoy our freedom and live safely,” said Verlander.

David Price founded “Project One Four”  which supports programs and organizations that provide safe learning environments for youths to learn life skills.  Annual grants have been given to organizations such as The Miracle League, Boys & Girls Club, and iPad Labs.  Price holds an annual golf outing to fundraise for Project One Four. David Price inscribes “Live Like Nate” on his glove.  Nate was one of Price’s high school friends from Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, TN and died of a heart attack at 22 years old playing basketball.  Through Project 14 David created the Nathan Stephens Memorial Scholarship for students strong academics, athletic participation and outstanding character.  Price is an avid fundraiser through Twitter for his fundraiser.

2012 Triple Crown winner says “”We want to help many children that don’t have the opportunity to go to a university and help them with a scholarship.”

The Miguel Cabrera Foundation is a not for profit organization that Miguel Cabrera created to provide academic scholarships and revitalize baseball fields in schools and neighborhoods to use athletics as a catalyst for learning.   Miggy has even created his own salsa, “the triple crown of salsa” – Miggy’s Salsa,  to help fund the Foundation and you can buy it in medium, hot or mild here.

Joe Nathan‘s Foundation is called “Save It’ and his goal is to help promote charities that are near and dear to him and help raise funds.  Nathan made a $500,000 grant to his college Stony Brook University to renovate the baseball field.  Nathan and his wife, Lisa, host annual fundraisers to promote his cause.

The Detroit Tigers Foundation is an organization funded by the Illitch family, Tiger’s management, players and coaches.  It’s mission is to focus on enriching youth, education and recreation through the game of baseball.  Programs such as “Autographs for a Cause”, “Tip a Tiger” and “Keeping Kids in the Game” bring together the players and the fans to raise money for the foundation.

The Tigers pride themselves in being great citizens and paying it forward off the field.  Verlander, Price, Cabrera and Nathan are just some of the great examples of the outstanding citizenry displayed by our favorites.

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