The Kronk Gym Foundation to Hold First Annual Fundraiser at Townsend Hotel in Birmingham; Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns & Aretha Franklin to Appear

(BIRMINGHAM, MI)...Where will Aretha Franklin be celebrating her birthday this coming Wednesday? Where will Philip Anselmo of the platinum-selling world renowned, Pantera and Down, be partying loud and proud? Where will Jim Lampley of HBO fame be the master emcee? Answer: The Kronk Foundation's mega fundraiser. It will be Metro Detroit's biggest bash, and it will pack quite a punch. It will be a great, fun-filled event - loaded with celebrities, good food, even better wine and all sorts of goodies at a live and silent auction. But act quickly: The tickets are going fast. If you want to assuage your guilt, remember this - it's for fabulous cause: The Kronk Gym and the good work it does. It is internationally known for turning out champion boxers. Its founder, Emanuel Steward, has become a legend of the ring. But fewer people know all the good work Kronk does for the youth of Metro Detroit, helping to instill in them a sense of pride and respect for their community.

To celebrate its storied history and to raise money so it can help even more kids, The Kronk Gym Foundation is holding its first annual fundraiser on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at the Townsend Hotel, in Birmingham, MI. The proceeds from this event will help expand youth activities, which will be housed in the new Kronk Gym. Since its founding in 1969, the Kronk Gym has provided a recreational outlet for many youngsters in the metropolitan Detroit area. Through the coaching and guidance they received, some of these youths went on to become world-class athletes. More of them became world-class citizens. To perpetuate this legacy, Emanuel Steward created the Kronk Gym Foundation this year, a nonprofit organization committed to making a difference in the well-being of youth through character-building, education and recreation. The program's goal is to provide recreational facilities, in addition to mentoring and tutoring, for the overall development of youth in Metro Detroit. Emanuel Steward says, "For many youngsters who have unfortunate home lives, the Kronk Gym and its programs are crucial. They are the difference between a life on the streets and a life of accomplishment."

The fund-raiser will be a fun-filled event, with plenty of celebrities, dinner, good wine and a live and silent auction. Special awards will be given to people who have shown the caring side of the boxing and sporting worlds. Among the recipients will be Sugar Ray Leonard, Detroit's own Thomas Hearns, Roger Penske, Don Barden, twin brothers Pete and Nick Spanakos (who together captured more than 30 boxing titles), former Michigan Boxing Commissioner and boxing humanitarian Dr. Stuart Kirschenbaum, John Oden (author of "White Collar Boxing"), long-time Kronk supporter Sam Lafata, David Farbman President, CEO and founder of Outside Hub, among others. The live auction will feature items sure to turn the head of boxing fans: a one-of-a-kind boxing robe, autographed by boxing legends and several pairs of autographed boxing gloves signed by Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquaio, Wladimir Klitschko and other champions. There will also be priceless experiences to bid upon.

Honorary chairs for the event are the current Heavyweight Champion of the World Wladimir Klitschko and former Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis. Sponsors include former Detroit Red Wing Igor Larionov, whose private label wines will be featured at the reception; Italmoda, the Eurostyle furniture store in Royal Oak; and Bentley of Troy, where you don't have to sacrifice quality, luxury or reliability. The VIP Reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. The general reception and silent auction will start at 6:30 p.m. Ticket are $500 for the VIP reception ($5,000 for VIP tables) and $200 for individual tickets. They can be purchased at www.KronkGymFoundation.org or by calling (248) 917-1793. Donations for the auctions are still being accepted. It's a good way to gain exposure for your company, while doing a good deed for the community.