FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Susan Ellerkamp Community Engagement Specialist YMCA of the Blue Water Area 1525 3rd Street Port Huron, MI 48060 (810)987-6400 ext. 132

YMCA OF THE BLUE WATER AREA SET TO HOST ‘NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS’ Tigers manager Jim Leyland will serve as featured speaker at the event

[PORT HURON, March 20, 2013] - Port Huron-based YMCA of the Blue Water Area, an association committed to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility, announced today in conjunction with Michigan Mutual, Inc., a Port Huron, Mich.-headquartered full-service residential mortgage bank, that they will host the “Night of Champions” fundraiser event to benefit the YMCA beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2013. Denise Brooks, executive director of the YMCA of the Blue Water Area, made the announcement.

Jim Leyland, manager of the , will serve as the featured speaker of the event, which will be held at the McMorran Pavilion in downtown Port Huron. Several members of Detroit’s 1984 championship team will be present at the event, including , , Barbaro Garbey and . , former Tigers player and current color commentator for the team, will also attend along with several other former Tigers.

“This Night of Champions event provides us with a wonderful opportunity to raise positive awareness for the many ways the YMCA of the Blue Water Area strengthens our community,” said Brooks. “We are thrilled to have Jim Leyland attend the event as our featured speaker and share his experiences on the value of hard work and working together as a team to achieve a common goal. It is a message that is true to the mission of the Y.”

The baseball-themed event will also feature a pre-game show, batting cage, pitching machine, food from local Port Huron establishments as well as silent and live auctions. Items available for bid include signed memorabilia, a Tigers Lakeland Fantasy Camp package, and a Tigers Away Weekend package complete with airfare, hotel accommodations and tickets to games for two.

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Charlie Barrett, president-owner of Cawood Honda, and Vince Parlove, president of Michigan Mutual, Inc., are co-chairmen of the event. Tickets can be ordered at the YMCA, Cawood Honda, Blue Water Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram, Moran Chevrolet, and Northgate Ford Lincoln. Tickets are $100 per person or $1,000 for a table.

About the YMCA of the Blue Water Area For 125 years, the Y has been strengthening our community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y engages men, women and children of the Blue Water Area in nurturing the potential of youth and teens, improving the area’s health and well-being, and providing opportunities to give back and support our neighbors. All Y programs and services are designed to build the core character values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. The Y is a place for people of all faiths, races, abilities, ages and incomes. For more information about the YMCA of the Blue Water Area, please call (810) 987-6400 or visit www.bluewaterymca.com.

About Michigan Mutual, Inc. Michigan Mutual, Inc., has been a family-owned and operated company serving the Midwest for more than 20 years. Founded in 1992, Michigan Mutual, Inc., is a rapidly expanding, full-service residential mortgage lender. The company provides home loan and refinancing mortgage services while elevating the customer service experience in the mortgage industry. For more information about Michigan Mutual, Inc., please call 1-800- 700-5839 or visit www.mimutual.com.

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YMCA Contact: Denise M. Brooks Executive Director YMCA of the Blue Water Area (810) 987-6400 ext. 111 [email protected]