AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons and the American Red Cross – Southeastern Michigan Chapter will honor Delores Bennett with the Michigan Heroes Award during halftime on Dec. 9 when the Pistons play the Charlotte Bobcats at 6:00 p.m. Bryan Peckinpaugh, public affairs and marketing manager for the American Red Cross, will present the Michigan Heroes Award.

Delores Bennett is the founder of the North End Youth Improvement Council (NEYIC). Through this organization, Bennett started an annual adopt-a-child program, which partners disadvantaged children with people able and willing to supply Christmas gifts to them.

The North End Youth Improvement Council began in the 1960’s because “Miss Bennett,” as she is known, believed that there were too many children in need of every day necessities.

“I was watching young kids walk down the street in the middle of winter without the proper clothing,” said Bennett. “It’s up to us to make things better within our own communities.”

The Adopt-a-Child program has helped over 30,000 underprivileged Detroit youth have a Merry Christmas throughout the years. “This program just shows the love that we should all have for each other,” Bennett said.

The Christmas program alone helps around 3,000 children each year. Not only do these kids receive gifts for Christmas, but they also have someone there who can provide guidance, along with a few encouraging words. For more information on the North End Youth Improvement Council’s Adopt-a-Child Christmas program, please visit their website at www.neyic.org.

To nominate an American Red Cross Michigan Hero, a person of any age and from any walk of life, fans should complete the on-line nomination form at www.pistons.com/community.