Community

Detroit Lions place-kicker Jason Hanson was honored at Sparky Anderson’s 20th Annual CATCH Night of Champions fund-raising dinner on October 14, at The Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn.

Hanson and Art Van Furniture chairman Art Van Elslander were inducted into the CATCH Hall of Fame for their service to the community throughout their careers.  Also, Dr. James Stenger of Children’s Hospital of Michigan and Henry Ford Hospital received the 2009 Dr. Livingood Humanitarian Award.

In his 18th Lions season, Hanson has been and continues to be involved in a variety of community and charitable efforts in Michigan as well as in his home state of Washington.  He joins Lions’ owner and chairman William Clay Ford in the CATCH Hall of Fame. Mr. Ford is a charter member of the CATCH Hall, inducted in 1988.

Other Lions who have been inducted into the CATCH Hall are Wayne Fontes, Herman Moore and Robert Porcher.
 
Sparky Anderson, the former manager of the Detroit Tigers who founded the charity in 1987, created the Night of Champions to recognize Detroit area leaders who go above and beyond the call of duty in giving back to the community.

CATCH is a non-profit organization that annually raises funds for items and services that improve the quality of life of sick, injured and needy pediatric patients who receive care at Children’s Hospital and Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.