A Special "Thank You" to The University of Michigan for Donation of Nike Athletic Apparel during the 2008 holiday season:

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, and members of the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America (MPVA), I want to express my sincere gratitude to the University of Michigan for their donation of Nike athletic apparel to Michigan veterans and soldiers serving in Iraq.

As we all know too well, Michigan’s winter weather is can be bone-chilling and bitter cold. Sadly, so many that have honorably served our country are out in the cold without warm clothing, even in Michigan’s harsh winter season, as homelessness is on the rise among our veterans. Therefore, The University of Michigan’s donation of their unwanted sporting-good apparel could not have come at a better time!

Three semi-trucks full of athletic apparel such as football jerseys, T-shirts, pants, gloves and athletic shoes was donated to the MPVA from The University of Michigan during the 2008 holiday season. The apparel was donated to needy veterans at the five VA hospitals; state veterans homes in Grand Rapids and Marquette; a homeless veteran’s shelter in Detroit; and to an organization called Southeastern Michigan Veterans Stand Down; which also provides clothing to homeless veterans.

I would like to personally acknowledge The University of Michigan and its support to Michigan veterans! I cannot begin to express how much U of M’s donation means to everyone at MPVA!

We are very grateful for The University of Michigan’s patriotism and are humbled by its support!

Sincerely,

Kevin Elya, President, MPVA

Clothing can't be worn by university's athletes

BY DAVE GERSHMAN in The Ann Arbor News

Over the past few days, three semi trucks of Nike-branded Michigan apparel, plus several storage containers holding more, were sorted at a warehouse owned by cleaning company First Class Services in Scio Township and shipped out to veterans facilities across the state.

Inside the warehouse, 80 volunteers sorted through the thousands of pieces of apparel that had been given to U-M by Nike for use by its roughly two dozen varsity teams.

The clothing was in very good condition. Much of it, in fact, appeared to never have been used. Several thousand needy veterans across the state will benefit, volunteers and veterans said Friday.

"They're going to jump all over it, even if they're Michigan State fans,'' said Michael Harris, executive director of the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Nike had given the apparel to U-M during its 13-year sponsorship relationship. That ended when U-M signed a new sponsorship agreement with Adidas last year. U-M is receiving $7.5 million each year in cash and merchandise from Adidas. As a result, U-M teams now cannot wear Nike apparel and the university needed to empty its stocks.

"We were just so happy to be able to get it to veterans who have served this country,'' said Marty Bodnar, U-M's associate athletic director for ticketing and marketing.

Nike jerseys that once had been destined for the football team were piled up in a corner of the warehouse. T-shirts, gloves, long pants and heavy coats were sorted in other spots.

More than 1,000 pairs of athletic shoes had arrived at the warehouse, including a giant pair of size 25s that amazed the volunteers.

One room had been temporarily used to store soccer shoes, and it soon became full to the ceiling. "You know where they are now? They're on their way to Iraq,'' said Rick Briggs Jr., manager of the veterans program at the Brain Injury Association of Michigan. They'll be passed out to soldiers and local Iraqis who play soccer together, he said. The Ann Arbor VFW post is paying for the shipping.

The clothing couldn't have come at a better time, advocates said. Winter weather has arrived and homelessness is on the rise among veterans, they said.

The apparel will go to needy veterans at five VA hospitals across the state; a homeless veterans shelter in Detroit; state veterans' homes in Grand Rapids and Marquette; the Salvation Army, which will hand it out to veterans; and to an organization called Southeastern Michigan Veterans Stand Down Inc., which also provides clothing to veterans.

Volunteers came from Battle Creek to Detroit to help get the clothing on its way. They began on Wednesday and hoped to have all of it out of the warehouse by Friday. First Class Services owner Jim Fagan, who served 13 years in the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard, provided the location to collect and sort the apparel - 10,000 square feet of his company's warehouse on Jackson Road.

"This became a team effort, a labor of love,'' said Brig. Gen. Carol Ann Fausone of the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in Lansing.

Reporter Dave Gershman can be reached at 734-994-6818.