Spirit of Detroit Dons Ford T-Shirt To Honor Volunteers

DETROIT (WWJ) - It's a new, blue look for the Spirit of Detroit statue.

Ford Motor Co. has outfitted the sculpture with an extra, extra, extra-large t-shirt to celebrate ten years of the Ford Volunteer Corps, and the automaker's "continuing commitment to the city."

Ford volunteers have worked on more than 8,000 projects in Detroit in the past ten years. The shirt will remain on the Spirit of Detroit until the end of the month — including during America's Thanksgiving Parade which brings thousands of people downtown.

"The Spirit of Detroit embodies the can-do spirit of a great American city and is a source of inspiration for the people of southeast Michigan," said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. "We're honored to see this iconic Detroit symbol wearing the Ford Volunteer Corps T-shirt like the Ford employees who strengthen our community and create a better world."

This isn't the first time the statue has been dressed up a bit. In the past it's worn Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings gear.

The 26-foot bronze statue, created by artist Marshall Fredericks, is located outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center on Woodward Ave. in Detroit.