Giving Back 2 Give Thanks with Blake Corum Returns
Blake Corum’s turkey giveaway in Ypsilanti, Giving Back 2 Give Thanks, returns for the second year with 300 turkeys being distributed between Sycamore Meadows in Superior Township and Parkridge Park in Ypsilanti’s South Side on Sunday, November 20th. Along with sides such as applesauce, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and green beans, families will also receive a gallon of milk. The first location, Sycamore Meadows will be served from Noon-1PM. The second location, Parkridge Park will go from 2-3PM.
Corum first attended CLR Academy with teammate Nikhai Hill-Green in the summer of 2021 at the recommendation of RB Coach, Mike Hart. Returning to the community for Hart meant finding time to work with the youth in the community. CLR Academy presented the perfect opportunity for this foundation and for him to get involved. Once Corum was introduced to the project, he immediately began forming bonds with the kids in the program. A few months later, he had the idea of giving away turkeys to the same community. Washtenaw My Brother’s Keeper, a founding supporter of CLR Academy, matched Corum’s turkey donation (100 each) and Giving Back 2 Give Thanks was born.
Thanks to additional support from community partners, each location will distribute 150 turkeys and sides (300 total), an increase of 100 turkeys from the previous year. Milk Means More provided a grant to the event allowing each family to receive milk along with their food. Support from Supreme Felons and Underdawg Nation helped provide sides for all of the families.
This year will also see 300 winter hats distributed in addition to the Thanksgiving packaged meals. University of Michigan student and AFC Ann Arbor player, Emily Eitzman (also a coaching director for CLR Academy and board member of The Mighty Oak Project) received a grant from Optimize to support the event. Eitzman’s contributions to CLR Academy have been constant and impactful since the programs inception in 2021.
CLR Academy
CLR was created out of an expressed community need for the young people of Superior Township. We continue to do this work as the need is still prevalent, in hopes that a community center will soon be built in this community.
CLR Academy was created in partnership by Washtenaw My Brother’s Keeper & The Mighty Oak Project, the Rob Murphy Foundation and the Hart & Tay Train Foundation. These organizations came together to build a community focused wellness project, aimed at developing leadership skills and revolutionary thinking for young residents of Sycamore Meadows in Ypsilanti, MI.
The free weekly programming launched in June 2021 and added an additional five locations in 2022. Sports sampling include soccer, basketball, football, yoga and other sports along with a focus on reading, writing and wellness. The programming, created for K-8 youth, uses sport to create engagement to introduce new wellness concepts such as mindfulness and nutrition. All snacks, sports equipment and books are completely free for participants.
