Northville Sports Den Presents Fundraiser Proceeds to Silver Springs Elementary

manager Philip Martinez was happy to help fundraise for its "Leader in Me" program. On Sunday, he presented the school with a check for $5,660.03.

On March 8, he shut down the bar for one night so that the Silver Springs Parent Lighthouse Committee and Dad's Club could hold its wine and beer tasting fundraiser.

"Education is extremely important," Martinez said. He and his family, who own the bar "believe it's important to give back to the community."

He added that it's good for the school and it's good for his business because it brings in potential new customers.

The Leader in Me program is based on Stephen Covey's book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. It is designed to help students take control over their own decisions, attitudes, and habits. The program has been .

Here's more info about the donation from parent Dana DeMink:

The event, sponsored by The Silver Springs Elementary Parent Lighthouse Committee and Silver Springs Dad's Club was extremely successful raising $15,884 to fund Silver Springs' Leader in Me Program. Through a key partnership among Northville Square owners, Bob and Margene Buckhave, as well as Northville Sports Den manager, Phil Martinez, and Silver Springs parents, the evening was a complete success with 31 different wines to try, 3 Michigan Craft Beers, a Silent Auction with more than 80 items to bid on and an amazing live auction hosted by Silver Springs' Principal, Scott Snyder. With the cooperation of the Buckhave’s, various local car dealerships parked several new cars inside the corridors of the mall. Tom Holzer Ford parked a brand new black mustang convertible just outside the doors of the Sports Den to be auctioned off for a weekend “loan.”

Thank you to everyone who pulled together to help: Bob & Margene Buckhave (Northville Square Owners), Phil Martinez (Northville Sports Den), Lon Connery (National Wine and Spirits), and Mike and Mary Spaven (Rave Associates). Thank you to Corporate Sponsors including Platinum Sponsors: Baha Fresh, Cadillac of Novi, Marty Feldman Chevrolet, O'Brien Law Office, Little Ceasars, Tom Holzer Ford, Gina Agosta Salon, Varsity Lincoln, Victory Honda, Suburban Chrysler Jeep, Joe's Produce, Fifth Third Bank, Patti Mullen (Remerica), Gold Sponsors: Center Stage Dance Company, PKSA Karate, Rehmann, GMA Asset
Management, Kid's Kingdom Sports Center, Kumon, Andrea Valle (Keller Williams Realtor), and Silver Sponsors: Denise Bondoni (Coldwell Banker Realtor), Justice Brian Zahra, Aubree's Pizzeria & Grill, Svoboda McDaniel Group, Auto Glass Service, Precision Print & Label. There are countless numbers of parents and community members to thank for auction items which were donated.