AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Detroit Shock and American Red Cross - Southeastern Michigan Chapter will honor Craig and Penny Weinburger with the Detroit Shock and American Red Cross My Personal Heroes Award during halftime of the Detroit Shock versus the Washington Mystics game at 7:30 p.m. on July 21. The Weinburger’s reside in Highland Township where they have taken in more than 300 foster children during the past 18 years.

The motivation to become a foster parent came in 1989 when Penny was taking her son to the doctor’s office. There, she saw a young boy with bruises on his body and apparently a look of disgust came across her face.

“I can tell by the way you’re looking at me that you’re not pleased,” the woman told Weinburger. “But it’s not what you think. I’m a foster mother, and he was just given to me.”

At that moment, Weinburger knew she wanted to be a foster mother, and she and her husband began to take in children of all ages and races coming from poor living situations who often had emotional problems and lacked self-esteem.

“With these kids, they don’t have any place to go,” said Weinburger, 43. “For whatever reason, God sent them to me. Any child can stay with us as long as they have to.”

On April 24, the Weinburger’s were recognized for their efforts and were awarded the Hon. Joan E. Young Award as the Oakland County Foster Parents of the Year.

As for the Weinburger’s, they intend to keep their six-bedroom home open to needy, abused and neglected children for as many years as possible.

“I will never turn a child away. I will get up at any time of the day or night to go anywhere to save a child,” Weinburger said.

In its third year, the Detroit Shock and American Red Cross My Personal Heroes program encourages fans to nominate a person or group from their local community who has gone above and beyond the call of duty and recognize their accomplishments at a Shock home game during the 2007 season.

To nominate a hero, who can come from any walk of life, fans only need to complete an on-line nomination form at www.detroitshock.com/community, or send name(s), address, phone number and name of organization to:

“Detroit Shock and American Red Cross My Personal Heroes” The Palace of Auburn Hills -- Five Championship Drive -- Auburn Hills, MI 48326

Only one entry per person per email address per household will be accepted.

Please click here for a complete list of rules/regulations and additional information. For more information on the My Personal Heroes program or to purchase tickets for any upcoming home game, please contact The Palace at (248) 377-0100 or visit www.detroitshock.com.