DETROIT — Thousands gathered on Belle Isle’s athletic field for Metro Detroit Youth Day (MDYD) Wednesday, July 14. It began at 8:30 a.m. and ended at 2:30 p.m. MDYD brings diverse groups of youth together for a day of fun and countless activities. It’s Michigan’s largest youth event and has been celebrated for 28 years by almost one-million people. MDYD was founded by Ed Deeb, Tom Fox and the late Jerry Blocker.  Ed Deeb is the current chairman and event coordinator. This year Deeb was presented with several awards for his dedication to the youth.

“Ed is committed to the youth of our city and he has done a phenomenal job over the years in organizing this event to bring over 20,000 and sometimes 30,000 youth together from across the Detroit metro area. It’s pretty phenomenal so my hat goes off to him and his tremendous leadership in organizing this year after year,” Michigan surgeon general Kimberlydawn Wisdom said.

Fifty-four scholarships were awarded to deserving high school students. MDYD has given out 700 scholarships since 1991. Student leadership service awards were given to 30 students.

“We appreciate knowing that the kids are being inspired to be citizens.  We gave out 54 scholarships today. They’re going off to college and we want them to come back and be our leaders in this community,” Deeb said.  In its first year the program had 1100 participants. As of 2009 35,000 were estimated. This year 1500 volunteers from more than 320 organizations and corporations worked the field.  The event was planned out by an executive board of more than 50 people. MDYD has received attention on local and national scales. Former president George H.W. Bush and the Points of Light Foundation awarded the MDYD program with the Point of Light award and the Governors’ council honored it with the Physical Fitness Health and Sports award.