Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s Reveals Los Angeles Mural for Parkinson’s Awareness

Corie Mattie in front of the mural on the Atwater building in LA.

On Monday, July 25th, Los Angeles artist Corie Mattie (known as L.A. Hope Dealer) revealed the mural, “The Impossible CAN Happen” in partnership with the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s to raise awareness of Parkinson’s Disease. The mural is located at 3150 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, the site of Bill’s Liquor in Atwater Village.

Attending the mural unveiling as a representative of the Gibson Family was Kirk’s son Cam Gibson, the Foundation’s COO Michelle Newman, LA Hope Dealer’s creative producer Jay Jones, and artist Corie Mattie. Mike Khalil, the owner of Bill’s Liquor, generously donated the wall space, and he and his daughter, Crystal, were also on hand.

We are thrilled to support KGF on this impactful project,” said Corie Mattie. “All of my murals have a QR code that creates direct access to donate. With this intersecting Kirk’s Foundation and baseball in the city I love, it’s just too perfect.

I am determined to bring awareness to the Parkinson’s community and hope this mural encourages everyone to keep up the momentum in this fight,” said Kirk Gibson, President of the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s and former LA Dodger.

Michelle Newman, added, “As we reach the 35th anniversary of this iconic moment in baseball, all of us here at the Foundation are excited to share Kirk’s vision in such a creative way.” 

With vibrant shades of Dodger’s red, white, and blue, Corie’s artistic vision captures the essence of Gibson’s triumphant homerun hit and his enduring baseball legacy. Gibson wore jersey #23, which is the inspiration for the formation of “Team23” within KGF. Team23 is the grassroots fundraising and volunteer team for the Foundation, which will be highlighted within the mural. 

The mission of the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s is to improve the quality of life of those living with Parkinson’s through the development and delivery of activity-based programs. This is all made possible through donations, fundraising, and awareness efforts like this mural collaboration with the LA Hope Dealer.

Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s Issues 2022 Grants

The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s has issued grants in 2022 to the following organizations and programs:

Michigan Parkinson Foundation

The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s issued a grant to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation allocated to continue their respite care program. The respite care program assists families for in-home personal care so caregivers in Michigan can tend to their own needs. The respite care program is projected to help 200 Michigan families in 2023.

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s gave a grant to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to support projects focused on accelerating a cure and addressing challenging symptoms of the disease. MJFF is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s today.

Spectrum Health Foundation

Spectrum Health Foundation logo

The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s issued a grant to the Spectrum Health Foundation to be used for the continuation of the EVSP® Big & Loud Program through 2023. You can learn more about the program here.

Uncorked Adventures NP

The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s issued a grant to Uncorked Adventures NFP to support Team Synapse in the Blue Ridge Relay to create awareness of Parkinson’s Disease.

Neuro Challenge Foundation

The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s issued a grant to the Neuro Challenge Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers, today.

Yoga Moves MS

Adaptive yoga moves any body logo.

The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s issued a grant to Yoga Moves MS to support their Adaptive Yoga Moves for Any Body On Demand platform launching in early 2023. This grant will allow for several special adaptive Yoga series to be available at any time including Foundations of Chair Yoga, Yoga with a Wheelchair, Restorative & Gentle Yoga and much more, at a reduced cost. Our joint wish is that adaptive yoga is accessible to all.

2022 Detroit Free Press Marathon Recap

On October 15th and 16th over 80 runners took to the streets of Detroit as part of Team 23 to fund raise for the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s. Runners competed in the 1 mile, 5k, International Half Marathon, U.S.-Only Half Marathon and International Full marathon raising over $100,000 so far!

Fundraising is open through October 31, 2022 and you can still support our runners! Here are a few highlights from race weekend!:

Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s Board Member and Managing Director Steve Annear completed his first marathon in 8 hours and 43 minutes, and is just shy of his $100,000 fundraising goal.

Jamen S., Team 23 captain completed the Detroit Free Press Marathon for the Foundation for the third year in a row, and runs in honor of his dad Ben, who is battling Parkinson’s.

Mike S. traveled from California to run the International Half Marathon and ran in honor of family members battling Parkinson’s. Mike ran this race as part of his goal to run a half marathon in all 50 states.

Steve N. completed his very first marathon! Steve joined Team 23 after his Parkinson’s diagnosis earlier this year.

Tim & Debra G. were back again this year running in the 1M and 5K. Debra already plans on coming back for the International Half Marathon next year! Tim is living with Parkinson’s and Debra is a speech therapist working with the Parkinson’s community.

Rebecca & Steve Z. are a father-daughter duo who did the 5K together! They are almost at their fundraising goal!

Chris R. and his daughter ran to fund raise to honor Chris’s grandmother who is battling Parkinson’s.

Ray & Riley D. ran to honor Raymond who they lost to Parkinson’s 7 years ago.

Mother-daughter duo Mary & Lauren S. return once again to honor family members with Parkinson’s by running with Team 23!

Thank you to all of our Team 23 runners and volunteers for making the weekend so successful!

Sixth Annual Kirk Gibson Golf Classic Recap

Kirk & Friends at the 6th annual Kirk Gibson Golf Classic

On August 22, 2022 the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s hosted the Sixth Annual Kirk Gibson Golf Classic. Nearly $300,000.00 was raised to fund programs for the Parkinson’s Community.

More than 200 golfers joined together at the Wyndgate Country Club to enjoy a full day of golf, a live auction, great food and a live performance from Larry the Cable Guy. Golfers were sent off by Coach Tom Izzo, and heard stories of living with Parkinson’s Disease from Parkinson’s advocates Bill Bucklew and Jimmy Choi. Alan Trammell and Kirk Gibson were teammates once again for 18 holes. Brad Galli from WXYZ-TV Detroit was the afternoon host.

A special thank you to all of our sponsors who make this great day possible!

Please save the date for the Seventh Annual Kirk Gibson Golf Classic scheduled for August 21, 2023.

Our Generous Sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:

Lasch Family Foundation

The Welker Family

The Archipley Family

Video Board Sponsor:

Colony Marine

Gift Sponsor:

Fratarcangeli Wealth Management

Golf Ball Sponsor:

MSU Football Friends

Golf Cart Sponsor:

Colony Marine

Serra Automotive

Silver Sponsor:

Fratarcangeli Wealth Management

The King Family Foundation

Gift Bag Sponsor:

Meijer

Hole In One Sponsor:

Golling Buick GMC

Corporate Sponsors:

5 Star Investments

Ace Forwarding

Angell & Company

AtkinsFick Group

Michigan Health Specialists

Sedgewick & Ferweda Architects

Bally Sports Detroit

BlueCross BlueShield of Michigan

Bob Brady Auto Mall

Boise Cascade

Cherry Creek Golf Club

Drew & Mike Show

Frank Rewold & Sons

General RV

Integrated Inventory Systems

James & Shelli Bell Charitable Fund

John Jaboro Farm Bureau Agency

Ken Mehall/MSU Basketball

LivWell

Lucido Fine Jewlery

MarxModa

Merrill Lynch

Midnite Oil Creative

NHL All Stars/Zach Werenski

Ray Laethem Motor Village

Rebath

RedViking

Sequoia Tool

Superior National Bank

Team Fosse

Team Reynolds

The Shuman Family

Wagner Enterprise

Wallside Windows

Woodward Birmingham Financial

Special Thanks

Thank you to the Kirk Gibson Golf Classic committee, who make this great event possible each year – Pam Yanis, Matt Yanis, Kim Doverspike, Jon Angell, Carol Ventimiglia, Kirk Gibson, Steve Annear & Michelle Newman. Thank you to all of the volunteers who make this event run smoothly!