Silver Springs Dad's Club Teams Up with Northville Sports Den for Fundraiser

- Submitted by Dana deMink, a Silver Springs Elementary School parent

For soft-spoken Philip Martinez, manager of the Northville Sports Den in the Northville Square shopping center, giving back to the community is “just what you do.”

Martinez, who for the past four years has managed the bar for his wife and nephew, Adam Mason, says that the three believe in “supporting schools, local youth sports teams, and the fundraising process.”

An event, dubbed the “Win-Win” Wine & Beer Tasting Fundraiser, is set for March 8 from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Northville Sports Den. The bar will be closed to the general public unless you purchase a ticket ($30 in advance, $35 at the door). The Northville Sports Den has coordinated with their suppliers to contribute to the event.

There will be 30 wines from Michigan, California, Old World and New World as well as four Michigan Craft Beers for tasting. The event will include a live and silent auction. Various local car dealerships have jumped on board to sponsor the event. Bob Buckhave, Northville Square owner, has generously allowed dealerships to park six cars inside the shopping center.

“This type of partnership with the community is exciting to me. To see local businesses support a school-wide initiative either by donating services for a silent auction, or by sponsoring the event, makes me feel proud to be a member of this community,” said Marty Testasecca, president of the Silver Springs Dad’s Club.

The event, sponsored by the Silver Springs Elementary School Dad’s Club and The Leader in Me Parent Lighthouse Committee, will raise money for a leadership program piloted at the school this year. The program, called The Leader in Me, is based on Stephen Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. It is designed to help students take control over their own decisions, attitudes, and habits. Several schools in the district are adopting the program.

“The Leader In Me creates systemic change in schools. It is exciting to see the positive changes this program has ignited. The program fosters self-motivation,
analytical thinking, effective communication and personal responsibility. I think it’s going to be around for a long time,” said Laura Budweg, Silver Springs parent and event co-chair.

Tickets can be purchased through the Northville Sports Den. For more information, you can call the Northville Sports Den at 248-347-5993.