Lake Orion will witness some shooting stars this weekend.
They won’t be in the sky, but on the basketball court at Lake Orion High School, where the 2nd Annual Curtis Granderson Celebrity Shoot-out is being held starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Curtis Granderson, centerfielder for the Detroit Tigers, will raise money for inner city schools in Michigan through his Grand Kids Foundation with the charity weekend.
‘A great cast is coming out to play,? Granderson said. ‘Here’s a good way to support education and have a great time.?
The celebrity hoopers this year include football stars Lomas Brown, Desmond Howard, Herman Moore and Tyrone Wheatley.
Other celebrities like 2008 Miss America Kirsten Haglund, 2007 Playboy Playmate of the Year Sara Jean Underwood, Project Runway designer Joe Faris and ESPN personality Dana Jacobson are also slated to suit up.
Granderson will serve once again as coach, alongside celebrity coaches Llyod Carr and Cheryl Ford.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students, including college, with valid identification. They can be purchased at the door or in advance online at www.grandkidsfoundation.org.
Fans can also attend ‘An Evening with Curtis Granderson? in Novi the night before, on Friday, Jan. 16.
A buffet dinner will be provided by Andiamo in Novi at 7 p.m., followed by a performance at The Second City at 8 p.m. Tickets for the dinner and the show are $75. VIP tickets are available for $110. This allows fans VIP access to the afterglow at the Dirty Martini.
An all-access weekend pass is also available for $150.
All proceeds will go to Granderson’s foundation.
Granderson, whose parents and sister are educators, said supporting education is important to him.
‘I wanted to do something I was passionate about,? Granderson said. ‘Everyone needs an education.?
Last year’s game was held at Avondale High School and raised about $35,000, Granderson said. About $17,000 of that went to Flint Public Schools, much of which was used to build a new track.
The rest will go to the Detroit Public Schools.
‘Now more than ever, Michigan’s public schools need assistance. The goal of this year’s event is to raise funds for the individual students in these public schools, whether if for assistance with school supplies or college scholarships,? Granderson said. ‘Last year I was so proud of the way the community not only came out to support this event, but to support the inner city schools in Michigan. The players had fun, the fans had fun and the schools benefited. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better.?
Granderson said Lake Orion High School was chosen in part because of last season’s football team that went to the state finals.
Granderson said he and organizers were drawn to the fact that football games average several thousand fans.
The gymnasium, which holds 2,300, was also an attraction.
‘There was a lot of effort made for the football games,? Granderson said, adding that he hopes to draw a lot of people from Lake Orion with the same kind of enthusiasm.
Granderson hopes to pack the gym via a couple special offers.
First off, he is holding a contest among Lake Orion High School student organizations. The club or team (it can be cheerleading or drama, so it’s not sports specific) that sells the most tickets will win an appearance by Granderson at a fundraiser or event for that club or team.
On Friday, Jan. 16, Granderson himself will sell tickets between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the high school. To meet Curtis, fans must buy tickets to the game. He will take pictures and sign some items.
The first 500 fans arriving at the game will also received a an autographed photo of Granderson.
Game tickets will also serve as raffle tickets, which will include prizes such as Tigers tickets, gift certificates to local businesses and a private batting practice by Granderson.
Dragons basketball coach Lance Davis will also be on the sidelines as a guest coach.
‘I’m excited about it,? he said. ‘It should be a lot of fun.?