DETROIT — Last year, an event record 35,000 kids took part in the annual Metro Detroit Youth Day, but this year, the Michigan Food & Beverage Association and its president, Arab American Ed Deeb, are aiming even higher in this time of great need.

Metro Detroit Youth Day Co-Founder Ed Deeb (right) and Director of Community Affairs for the Governor’s Office (Southeast Michigan) Barbara Jean Johnson present the Corporate Hero Sponsorship Award to Osama Siblani, publisher of The Arab American News.                    PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNab/American Elite Studios

The organization held its 13th Annual Kick-Off Spiritual Prayer Breakfast at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit on Wednesday, April 14 in anticipation of another successful Youth Day in July.The 2010 version of the popular community service outreach event will be the 28th installment according to Deeb, who recalled the story of how it began in 1981.”We were having altercations on Livernois Avenue involving the youth and retailers and businessmen around 6 and 7 Mile in the city and Coleman Young was the mayor back then,” Deeb said at Wednesday’s breakfast.”We brought the NAACP, Detroit Urban League and other organizations to the table and we finally dealt with the tensions and got the fire out.”From that situation, Deeb and city leaders were able to put together the idea for the first Youth Day in Detroit. It has since grown into the largest youth event in Michigan, bringing together kids ages 8-15 and volunteers for a free day of food, fun, and education. “We turned a tragedy into a positive thing,” Deeb said.Deeb’s organization also gives out scholarships every year along with awards for academic achievements and community service for deserving youth.Detroit City Council Member James Tate, who was endorsed by the Arab American Political Action Committee and The Arab American News, emphasized the importance of continuing the battle to empower the youth to live positive, fulfilling lives.”We have children here today in pain and hurt but these kids won’t necessarily tell us they need help,” he said, referring to issues like the temptations of joining gangs, using drugs, and also being stuck in abusive relationships with others.”It’s is our responsibility to get involved in their lives because they’re not just the future, they’re also the present.”Keynote Speaker David Bullock, Pastor of Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church and a prominent youth leader, said that the focus should be on attacking broader issues and infrastructure rather than simply creating programs that target specific symptomatic problems. The Arab American News was also honored as a “Corporate Hero” Sponsorship Award winner at the event for their support of Metro Detroit Youth Day, which will be held on July 14, 2010 at Belle Isle Park in Detroit. For more information, visit //michbusiness.org/EventsEducation/MetroDetroitYouthDay.aspx or call 586.393.8800.