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Beat the Streets Detroit Blog: WRESTLING TURKEY GIVEAWAY
By: Anthony Biondo
Posted 11/29/11
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Coach Mike Rodriguez has helped Mark Butwill in many situations over the years. When Butwill, a Detroit Catholic Central grad and now the Director of Street Sales for U.S. Foods, heard of Coach Rodriguez’s involvement with Beat The Streets Detroit he knew he wanted to help out. He has stayed close to Coach Rodriguez and his family over the years, and believes the Beat The Streets program is remarkable.
“I heard what Coach Rod was doing and I wanted to give back. [Coach Rod] was very instrumental in my life as a kid at DCC and I wanted to get involved in any way possible,” said Mark. Mark said his access to U.S. Foods was the perfect way initially to help promote Beat The Streets and give back to the kids at the same time. Mark and Coach Rod decided the Thanksgiving holiday would be a perfect opportunity to help out the wrestlers and their families.
Mark and U.S. Foods donated 100 turkeys and 100 pumpkin pies to the families of the wrestlers of Beat The Streets. Last Tuesday Mark, Chef Scott Simpson, and Andrew Roaden of U.S. Foods, helped deliver the food to the families at Beat The Streets. Mark said U.S. Foods does a large amount of charity work spread out across various platforms.
“This is our third year doing [the Turkey Give Away] at Beat The Streets. It is a very moving and rewarding experience for me. It is nice to give back to families in need, and it opens your eyes that sometimes we take things for granted,” said Mark. He said so many wrestlers and parents were grateful for his help and the experience is something very special to him.
BTS Detroit would also like to thank Angela Thompkins, Human Resources Director at U.S. Foods, for her involvement in setting up and coordinating the Turkey Give Away.
80 of the turkeys were distributed to the wrestlers and their families. Additionally, our wrestlers helped donate 20 of the remaining turkeys to needy families in their own Southwest Detroit neighborhood area. While the kids were given a special meal for their families to enjoy, they also learned to give back to others in need during this holiday season.
Beat the Streets Detroit Blog: Ken Dallafior Makes a Visit
By: Anthony Biondo
Posted 11/29/11
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Kenneth Dallafior knows about success – he played in the NFL for nine years, with the Detroit Lions among other teams, and is now the Senior Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. On November 17th, Mr. Dallafior came to talk to the kids of Beat the Streets Detroit about his experience with wrestling and the NFL, and to give them some words of wisdom.
“I was thrilled to come talk to the kids and so impressed with what I saw,” said Mr. Dallafior. He wrestled at Madison Heights Madison High School and was a state runner-up his senior year. Mr. Dallafior believes wrestling gives the wrestlers of BTS Detroit the chance to be part of something special and teaches them the finer points of discipline and hard work.
“Wrestling helps instill and build structure and hard work, into these kids lives. The wrestlers have a better chance of being successful and succeeding with [Beat the Streets], than without it,” said Mr. Dallafior.
“The biggest message I wanted to get across to these kids was that anything is possible. If they believe in themselves they can really accomplish anything.” Mr. Dallafior said he was extremely impressed with the program and couldn’t put into words how special Beat the Streets is.
“I was very touched by what I saw. Beat the Streets should be an inspiration to others. I am so grateful for what Coach Rod and his staff are doing. I can’t put into words how amazing of an experience it was.”
The wrestlers have been scrimmaging with each other and are now preparing for their scrimmage with Team Shamrock at Detroit Catholic Central High School on November 30th.
Beat the Streets Detroit Blog:
DCC Makes a Visit and Accountability
By: Anthony Biondo
10/14/2011
Beat the Streets Detroit Blog:
Making a Difference
By: Anthony Biondo
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