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Baseball Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda and President and CEO of Chrysler Group Tom LaSorda Join Forces to Raise Funds for Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan

Detroit (PRWEB) February 4, 2006

Are Tom LaSorda and Tommy Lasorda related? Long lost cousins? Come and find out at a brand new Monday night line-up created by Frank Stella, chairman of the board of trustees of the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM).

This February 13 two prominent men who happen to share a name will come together to raise funds for the Detroit Medical Center’s RIM. The event will bring together Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda, the event chair, and famed Los Angeles Dodgers baseball manager Tommy Lasorda, who will be honored with a Humanitarian Award. Special Courage Awards will be presented to three former RIM patients who have overcome disabling injuries and exemplify true determination and courage in the face of adversity.

“We are deeply honored to have these distinguished men from two unrelated industries come together to make a huge difference in so many peoples’ lives,” said RIM President Terry Reiley. “We are especially grateful to Frank Stella, chairman of our board of trustees, for connecting these great gentlemen to raise dollars and establish a new Leadership Fund at RIM, which will profoundly improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Under the expert direction of RIM’s Chair of Medicine, Jay M. Meythaler, M.D., Chrysler Group’s exemplary leadership and generosity will definitively help advance cutting-edge research and thus deliver innovative therapies in real-time for people with disabilities.”

Chrysler Group has been a tremendous supporter of RIM. In November of 2005, the company donated a 2006 Dodge Charger to help patients recovering from a disabling injury or illness regain their ability to transfer into and eventually operate a motor vehicle. They also donated an interactive educational kiosk that will assist persons with disabilities access information and products that can help them in daily life. In his new role at Chrysler Group, Tom LaSorda will continue to support the company’s “Automobility” program providing incentives to persons with disabilities to enhance their vehicles to accommodate specific needs.

“Chrysler Group and RIM both have a common goal: keeping able drivers on the road,” said LaSorda. “RIM provides medical assistance to help injured patients regain mobility and Chrysler Group provides the vehicles for mobility. It’s a natural fit that Chrysler Group would join RIM in its fund-raising efforts and ensure that RIM patients enjoy the best health and an outstanding quality of life. As a member of the Detroit community, Chrysler Group is pleased that it can support the further development and improvement of health services for the benefit of all its citizens.”

The February 13 event begins at 6 p.m. and will include dinner, live auction, and a one-of-a-kind live program featuring Tom and Tommy. (VIP Reception exclusively for key sponsors.) The event is being held at The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn (located at 300 Town Center in Dearborn). WJR radio personality Paul W. Smith will serve as the moderator alongside famed Detroit Tigers baseball announcer Ernie Harwell. Additional local and national celebrities will be on hand for the blockbuster event.

DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund has secured the top Presenting Sponsorship role for the event. Additional key sponsors include: Wright & Filippis, Logistic Insight Corporation, and Lear Corporation. For more information on sponsorships and ticket sales call 248-347-2797.

About RIM

Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM) is one of eight hospitals operated by the Detroit Medical Center (DMC), and is one of the nation’s largest hospitals specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The Institute is home to many innovative programs, including the Southeastern Michigan Traumatic Brain Injury System, one of only 16 federally designated centers of excellence in the U.S. for the treatment of brain injuries, and the Center for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery, a world-class facility designed to implement and study innovative treatments in spinal cord injury recovery. In partnership with the DMC and the Wayne State University School of Medicine, RIM offers some of the state’s finest teaching and medical research practices. Visit the RIM website at http://www.RIMrehab.org for more information.

About DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund

Now in its 54th year, the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund is the primary source of charitable grants made by DaimlerChrysler Corporation. The Fund annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations with an emphasis on community growth and enrichment, arts and culture, education, and youth development programs throughout the United States and, increasingly, the world. The Fund’s Good Neighbor, Good Citizen® programs in 2005 included Hurricane Katrina relief, sponsorship of the acclaimed DIA exhibition, “Claudel and Rodin: Fateful Encounter,” as well as operating support for the United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

Contact:

Linda Jennings 248-341-8222

Cheryl Angelelli 313.966.8490

Curtrise Garner 248.512.2712

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Tags: Baseball, Chrysler, Fame, Forces, Funds, Group, Hall, Institute, Join, Lasorda, Manager, Michigan, president, Raise, Rehabilitation, Tommy

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