Soon to be former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife Kelly are teaming up with Free Press’ Mitch Album in developing a Detroit based educational center as a “final thank you” before their leave for Los Angeles.
The Stafford’s have made a routine of donating their time and money over the years. Each year they surprise different families with visits and gifts at Christmas time, they fundraised/donated to the Acoustic Neuroma Association after Kelly’s surgery for her brain tumor, they previously donated $1 million towards a local community center, last March they donated $100,000 to Detroit communities to fight the COVID-19 crisis, and most recently they donated $1.5 million to the University of Georgia, with $350,000 earmarked for their new social justice initiative.
Per a report from the Free Press, the Stafford’s have pledged $1 million for this project and Kelly made the announcement via her social media account.
“Our final thank you,” Kelly wrote. “There are not enough words to truly express how grateful we are to have lived here for the past 12 years. We came here for football, but we are leaving with a sense of home and endearment. Endearment not only for this city and the Lions organization, but a love for the people who make up this community. Detroit has supported our family not only by showing up on Sundays, but also through our most difficult times. You took us in as your own and made Detroit feel like home and that is what it became, our home.
“It has been our goal to always give back to the city. Detroit and its people have blessed us in so many ways, we only hope you have felt our gratitude through our joy of giving back to the city. As we sat down and tried to figure out how to thank you one last time, we felt like words were not sufficient. And so, we have teamed up with Mitch Albom to create an education center that will be attached to the SAY PLAY Center where Stafford Field is also located. The new building will enable the Center to increase its student population who benefit from the center’s academic, athletic and arts programs, and service adults with job training programs, GED classes, and community events. This is the legacy we want to leave behind. We would love for you to be a part of it with us..to be a part of this legacy of making a positive impact in so many Detroiters’ lives. If you would like to get involved, I have placed a link in my bio and in my story so that you will be able to do so. Think of the difference we could make together for the thousands of people in city of Detroit.
“You will always remember Matthew Stafford as a Detroit Lions quarterback, but our hope is that you will also remember our family for our love of the Detroit community and its people.
“Thank you Detroit, for everything.”
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