Detroit Tigers baseball legend Willie Horton regaled the Hope of the City event with stories of his career and life.
Horton was keynote speaker at the Salvation Army event that was the kickoff to the Christmas Kettle Campaign.
Horton spoke about his life with the Tigers, the 1968 World Series and his charitable work today.
He says speaking to event like Hope of the City is a chance to give back.
Tiger great Willie Horton speaks to the Hope of the City luncheon, Caboto Club, November 19, 2018 (by AM800's Peter Langille)
"It makes you feel blessed, I thank god for giving me all the ability, but I'm so grateful to him for putting the people around me and help mould me to what I've accomplished in life and basically I just do it"
He says analytics is the future of baseball, but you can't take out the human element.
Horton says he hopes he is helping young people think for themselves and get on the right path.
"Each kid, every kid, your kid, my kid, everybody should have opportunity to grow to his own ability because you've got to have good, at the end a good solid base foundation have good decision skills. You don't mind making better choices, making good decisions because you've got to do that not only in sport, but in life"
Horton got a standing ovation from the crowd at the Caboto Club before and after his speech.
Tigers legend Willie Horton gets a standing ovation as he begins to speak in Windsor to the Salvation Army Hope of the City luncheon. #cklw @AM800News pic.twitter.com/ByJvOdj9fV
— Peter Langille (@PLangille800) November 19, 2018
The Rotary Club of Windsor, 1918 held it's traditional launch with a presentation from Major Paul Rideout.
Salvation Army Major Paul Rideout, kettle campaign launch, Caboto Club, November 19, 2018 (by AM800's Peter Langille)
He told the club they've set a goal they hope to exceed.
"Salvation Army's goal this year in the kettle campaign is $320,000 and we don't say that as anything else, but that's the minimal we're going for"
Major Rideout joked about his technique for encouraging giving.
"We believe that you can help us, the sound of the bells, if you listen to these for three hours can be absolutely annoying. When I'm on the kettles I'm aiming to annoy you so that you will give and then I'll stop for a bit"
The official kickoff was last Thursday at the Spitfires game when Captain Luke Boka made the first donation.