60 Special Needs Kids to Attend Victory Day at Trenton High School

The is rapidly approaching and 60 special needs children from around Downriver are getting ready to play one of the biggest football games of the year at .

At 10:30 a.m. Sept. 15 high school athletes, cheerleaders and scores of cognitively and physically impaired children will step out onto the high school football field to participate in a simulated football game complete with uniforms, active scoreboard and announcer.

The event, slated to end at noon, will give each child a "moment to shine," according to a Victory Day release.

Each child will be partnered with a Trenton football player or cheerleader who will serve as their mentor for the day, showing them how to either run for a touchdown or cheer for the hometeam.

All special needs kids will receive football -- and a medal for participating in the event. Football players will also get a mini-football and cheerleaders get to take home pom-poms.

Lloyd Carr, former head football coach at the University of Michigan, has agreed to lend his celebrity to the event for the second straight year by posing for photos with the children and local sponsors.

said football players and cheerleaders from high schools in Woodhaven, Allen Park, Taylor, Wyandotte, Carlson and Riverview will also be volunteering their time to work with the children.

"We are excited about this part," Segedi said. "We will have our players at Trenton High School play the "mock" defense as the kids run for their TD (touchdown), and we will also bring in the "All-Stars" from the others schools to play D (defense), as well. Should be fun."

The will also be on hand to provide real game-time atmosphere for everyone.

Victory Day merchandise will be available to purchase on the day of the event. Victory Day items include water bottles, t-shirts, wrist bands and polo shirts. Proceeds from merchandise sales go to fund for Victory Day 2013.

For more information visit the Victory Day website www.victorydayfootball.com.

"We have had so many people that have offered to help in many different ways," Segedi said. "We thank all of our sponsors. I am so blessed to have a Victory Day committee that has worked so hard to make this event even better than last year."