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Winner, Winner! #MIKidsCan Returns for 10 Years of Thanksgiving Sweepstakes
Teddy Lemmer
| 4 min read
DETROIT, Oct. 7, 2024 —One Michigan kid could win it all this Thanksgiving courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Detroit Lions. The #MIKidsCan Turkey Day VIP Sweepstakes is entering its tenth year and Michigan kids enrolled in grades 1-10 are encouraged to enter. The winner will have the chance for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Lions play on Thanksgiving, have a Thanksgiving meal at Ford Field with their family, deliver the Lions’ honorary game ball and ride on the new Blue Cross Thanksgiving parade float down Woodward Avenue during America’s Thanksgiving Parade®, presented by Gardner White.
Joined on the float by the child’s two parents or guardians, the winner will be picked up at the end of the parade route via a special Lions escort and taken directly to Ford Field to deliver the tenth annual Detroit Lions Thanksgiving commemorative ball before the big game. The winner will be joined at the game by nine guests and a complete Thanksgiving-style dinner will be provided – allowing their family and friends to enjoy one of Detroit’s premier Thanksgiving traditions together while cheering on the Lions.
As part of the sweepstakes entry, fans are asked to share how they will get active for 60 minutes on Thanksgiving Day. Eligible families and their children can enter at https://www.detroitlions.com/contests/turkey-day now through October 31st. The Turkey Day VIP Sweepstakes supports Blue Cross’ ongoing commitment to children’s physical fitness and good nutrition through its #MIKidsCan campaign and ongoing partnership with the Detroit Lions.
"We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to offer this extraordinary opportunity to a young fan," said Detroit Lions senior vice president of Marketing and Brand Emily Griffin. "The Lions have made football a cherished part of Thanksgiving, and for the past decade, the #MIKidsCan Turkey Day VIP Sweepstakes have played a vital role in our mission of encouraging youth to embrace physical activity and healthy eating choices. Together, we look forward to making lasting memories and promoting healthier lifestyles for the next generation.”
Blue Cross President and CEO, Daniel J. Loepp will serve as the grand marshal for the parade, along with national sportscaster Mike Tirico and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow. After much collaboration with The Parade Company, Blue Cross is excited to unveil its new float and theme: A Better State of Health. The float will illustrate how employees across the state are providing “around-the-clock health care” for our members. Blue Cross is proud to continue its 40-year sponsorship of the parade and 15-year sponsorship of the annual pancake breakfast on November 8, where the float will be unveiled.
“Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is incredibly proud to continue our decades-long partnership with the Detroit Lions and the #MIKidsCan Turkey Day VIP Sweepstakes,” said Andrew Hetzel, vice president of Corporate Communications at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “When a child opts for a healthy snack or engages in physical activity, they’re laying the groundwork for lifelong habits and confidence in making decisions that will benefit them throughout their lives. The #MIKidsCan Turkey Day VIP Sweepstakes celebrates these accomplishments by making a lucky kid the star of Thanksgiving Day. We are thankful for our partners at the Detroit Lions for creating an unforgettable experience for the winner and their family.”
The winner will be randomly selected by the Detroit Lions and announced prior to the game. As part of their prize package, they will receive:
- Participation for the winner and their parents to be part of the Blue Cross parade float, carrying the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day commemorative game ball
- A custom jersey & commemorative football
- Participation in the fan tunnel experience prior to the Thanksgiving Day game
- Special seating along the parade route for his or her guests in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Blue Zone
- Ten club level seats at Ford Field, to watch the Thanksgiving Day game
- A complete Thanksgiving dinner for all 10 guests
Over the last 16 years, Blue Cross has provided more than $12 million to support kids’ health and wellness initiatives across the state through the groundbreaking Building Healthy Communities program. The program has helped more than 1,200 Michigan schools reach 538,000 children with sustainable programs focused on the importance of daily activity and healthy food choices. For more information on the sweepstakes or Blue Cross’ ongoing efforts to help improve childhood health, visit AHealthierMichigan.org/MIKidsCan or follow #MIKidsCan on Twitter.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides health benefits to more than 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies residing outside the state. The company has been committed to delivering affordable health care products through a broad variety of plans for businesses, individuals and seniors for more than 80 years. Beyond health care coverage, BCBSM supports impactful community initiatives and provides leadership in improving health care. For more information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBlueDaily.com.
