Photo: Andrew Mullin ~ 760 WJR
DETROIT, April 1, 2024 ~ A new education center bearing the name of former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife, Kelly, was dedicated late Monday morning.
Many Detorit-area leaders cut the ribbon for the new Kelly and Matthew Stafford and Friends Education Center at the Lipke SAY Detroit Play Center at 19320 Van Dyke Ave. This add-on expands SAY Play’s footprint by nearly 15,000 square feet, allowing the after-school center to add additional academic and enrichment programming to improve educational outcomes for hundreds of Detroit youth.
SAY Detroit Play Center Executive Director Eric Reed said the new center will allow them to take in 150 youth for their summer program, a 50% increase.
PODCASTS:
April 1, 2024 ~ Prior to the ribbon cutting for the Kelly and Matthew Stafford and Friends Educational Center at the SAY Detroit Play Center, Matthew Stafford sats down with Kevin Dietz and Tom Jordan to talk about this growing facility.
April 1, 2024 ~ Ahead of the ribbon cutting for the Kelly and Matthew and Friends SAY Detroit Educational Center, WJR‘s Mitch Albom sits down with Kevin Dietz and Tom Jordan to talk about the significance of this facility.
April 1, 2024 ~ Kevin Dietz and Tom Jordan are broadcasting live from the SAY Detroit facilities for the opening of the Kelly and Matthew Stafford and Friends Educational Center. Eric Reed, executive director of the SAY Detroit Play Center, and Rick Kelley, executive director of SAY Detroit, sit down to discuss the center.
(CONTINUED) “This is an incredible full-circle moment for our community,’’ said SAY Detroit founder Mitch Albom. “Matthew and Kelly have been supporters and advocates of SAY Play – and our nonprofit – for Matthew’s entire 12-year career with the Detroit Lions, and their legacy only continues to grow.“
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit City Councilmember Scott Benson, State Rep. Donavan McKinney, and the Staffords were on hand for the ribbon cutting.
“We are so proud to give back to the community that gave us so much, and to watch these kids turn into adults,” Kelly Stafford said.
“I was talking to Mayor Duggan, and he asked how I was doing and he said, ‘Do you have a house here?‘” Matthew Stafford said at the opening ceremony. “I said, ‘No, we sold our place and moved to Los Angeles.’ Immediately after that, I said, ‘Well, I guess we’re at the house that I have here (in Detroit).’”
PHOTOS:
Detroit leaders gather for the grand opening of the Kelly and Matthew Stafford and Friends Educational Center on April 1, 2024. Photos: Andrew Mullin ~ 760 WJR
760 WJR TOP POSTS:
