The Salvation Army Celebrates 25 Years of Bed & Bread Club Radiothon
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (February 16, 2012) –The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s 25th annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon will air live on News/Talk 760 WJR-AM on Friday, Feb. 24. The Radiothon is the No. 1 source of financial support for the nonprofit’s Bed & Bread Program.
In addition to WJR radio personalities and Dick Purtan, local notables such as Detroit Red Wing EVP and GM Ken Holland, Carrie Kelly, wife of Detroit Tigers utility man Don Kelly and Emily Yuen, the significant other of Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, as well as Denise Ilitch will be on-air throughout the day to talk about their involvement with The Salvation Army.
In addition, a variety of Salvation Army friends and supporters have offered special incentives that Radiothon listeners can call-in and be entered into hourly drawings to win throughout the day.
The Detroit Tigers have donated a package that includes four tickets to a 2012 home game, with the opportunity to watch batting practice from the field and meet a Tigers coach or player. In addition, the winner will receive an autographed photo of Justin Verlander.
The Detroit Red Wings have donated a practice visit for four and Zamboni ride for one, a pair of tickets to a 2012 or 2013 home game and an autographed Johan Franzen jersey.
The Detroit Lions have donated a special VIP training camp visit.
Denise Ilitch has donated a pair of tickets to a Detroit Red Wings game and three Detroit-inspired pieces from her handmade jewelry collection Denise Ilitch Designs.
Buddy’s Pizza has provided pizza for a year for two winners and will supply the Radiothon volunteers with pizza dinner that evening.
Disney On Ice has donated two VIP packages to its newest production Treasure Trove. These packages include 4 VIP seats, red carpet entry, a meet and greet with Disney characters, a family photo and two boxes of popcorn.
The Detroit Historical Society has donated an exclusive tour for six of its Collections Resource Center which contains more than 250,000 historic artifacts from Detroit’s 300-year history.
Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle in Royal Oak will award one lucky caller and 49 of their friends free admission to a Thursday night show and popcorn.
Once again in 2012, WJR’s on-air personalities Paul W. Smith, Frank Beckmann and Mitch Albom, along with special guest Dick Purtan, will lead the charge against hunger and homelessness, broadcasting in shifts from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., from Oakland Mall in Troy.
“We’re so thankful for all the individuals, groups and businesses that have made this Radiothon a beacon of hope for those in need,” said Major Mark Anderson, general secretary and metro Detroit area commander of The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division. “It’s truly amazing what people can do when they join together to make a difference. We’re confident these special incentives will encourage listeners to call in on February 24.”
The Bed & Bread Program serves 5,000 meals to the hungry each day. That’s nearly 1.7 million meals every year to men, women and children that would otherwise go without. In addition, The Bed & Bread Program provides nearly 500 homeless individuals shelter each night. That’s nearly 167,000 nights of shelter annually.
In fact, from October to December 2011, The Salvation Army saw an 11 percent increase in the number of meals served off of the Bed & Bread trucks.
The Radiothon raised over $1.5 million for The Salvation Army in 2011, its first year on WJR. Over its quarter century, the Radiothon has grown to become the largest single-market, single-day radio fundraiser in the country, and has raised more than $25 million to provide food and shelter to those in need.
While other Bed & Bread Programs do exist throughout the country, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s Bed & Bread Program is unique in that it also serves people via mobile soup kitchens. Detroit’s mobile soup kitchens are The Salvation Army’s only traveling Bed & Bread units.
To join the Bed & Bread Club by making a tax-deductible donation, please call (248) 528-0760 or click here.