The snow and frigid temperatures didn’t stop the fans.
They battled blowing snow and long lines to watch local celebrities in a charity game at Lake Orion High School on Jan. 17.
And while the money raised was substantial–just over $61,000–the foul weather did prevent some people from coming out.
All the money will go to Tigers centerfielder Curtis Granderson’s Grand Kids Foundation. The foundation contributes money to help inner-city schools in places like Flint and Detroit.
John Fuller, Granderson’s manager, said he hoped to raise money somewhere in the $70,000 to $80,000 mark, but the snow and wind kept some people who would have otherwise attended at home.
Still, the stands were filled for the game, which was a battle between the white team, with members like Kid Rock, designer Joe Faris, footballers Lomas Brown and Herman Moore. Members of the blue team included Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund and Desmond Howard.
According to Fuller, roughly 2,100 people attended the game, which was won by the white team 61-60, after Kid Rock sunk a free throw with only one second left.
At breaks in the action, Granderson, who refereed the game, held raffles for everything from Tigers tickets to personal batting lessons.
Tigers mascot, Paws, was also on-hand, misbehaving on the court much to the enjoyment of the children throughout the game.
The game was held at Avondale High School in 2008.
Lake Orion was chosen this year for two reasons.
First, the Tigers team photographer, Michael Cunningham has children in the Lake Orion school district.
The second reason was the success of the Lake Orion Dragons football team, who routinely draw in thousands of fans for their own games.
Granderson had nothing but nice things to say about the area, the school and the people.
‘Lake Orion couldn’t have been a better place to hold this event,? Granderson said. ‘The gym was great, the volunteers were great and most everything went very smooth. We can’t control everything, such as the weather, but the support of the Lake Orion community made it a memorable event.?