Belle Isle Hosts Metro Detroit Youth Day Today

Belle Isle will be one crowded place today. 

More than 35,000 metro Detroit area children between the ages of 8 and 15 will be having a day of supervised free fun on the athletic Field on Belle Isle.  It's all part of the 28th annual Metro Detroit Youth Day.

More than 1,500 volunteers will be helping the kids, who will enjoy a variety of activities, including games, sports clinics, motivational speakers, and sports stars.

With so many cutbacks in the city this event is more important than ever, said Ed Deeb, Metro Detroit Youth Day Chairman.

"We want them to know that we are there for them," Deeb said.  "Whatever it takes to help these kids, to help motivate them, inspire them to finish school, go to college and finish college... We want them to know we are a safety net for them."

 Each year they also award 45 college scholarships to graduating high school seniors, and honor others for academic achievement and community work. More than 300 youth and community organizations along with 250 businesses, corporate, and community organizations co-sponsor the event.