The Detroit Pistons will honor Michigan First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern of Mentor Michigan and Jimmie Comer of VIP Mentoring at half-time against the Boston Celtics on Monday, January 16 at The Palace at 3:30 p.m.  The matinee start takes place on the national holiday celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In staying with the theme of MLK Day, “A day ON, not a day OFF,” the Pistons will be featuring a group of people who continue to make a difference in young people’s lives.  First Gentleman Mulhern is involved in the statewide initiative, Mentor Michigan, a program of the Michigan Community Service Commission, which is working to ensure that all youth have ongoing relationships with stable, caring individuals.  Comer is President of the Lear Corporation North American Joint Venture Division and Chair of VIP Mentoring, which is an organization that strives to make a positive influence in lives of children of incarcerated parents.

“Dr. King was after a world that judged people by the ‘content of their character,’ and Mentor Michigan is all about building that character in our young people,” states Mulhern.  “We are especially intent on putting the ‘men’ in mentoring, as only one-third of our current mentors are men, yet there are thousands of boys on waiting lists for a big brother.”

Mulhern and Comer, along with their mentees will be recognized for their continued support of mentoring programs, as they are true champions of this cause. 

For more information on mentoring, visit www.mentormichigan.org, www.vipmentoring.org or call 1-800-VOLUNTEER.

Also taking place to recognize the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are a number of in-arena activities, pre-game ceremonies and in-game festivities.  These include the fifth annual Sprite Kids Day (more information available at www.pistons.com), a special rendition of the National Anthem, players’ and celebrity fans’ remarks regarding Dr. King highlighted on the giant PalaceVision video board and pre-game presentations to celebrate Black History Month in February.