Thanks for Helping Us Do Good!
The Salvation Army wrapped up its 8th Annual Doing the Most Good Week with happy supporters and a financial boost from its biggest corporate fans. Thanks to Quicken Loans, Title Source, Garden Fresh Gourmet, Cabela’s, Kotz Sangster Wysocki, P.C., Olga’s Kitchen and Kroger, more than $65,280 was generated for The Salvation Army.
“Doing the Most Good Week is all about small kindnesses, big gestures and making a strong commitment to helping our neighbors anytime or anyplace,” said Major Mark Anderson, General Secretary and Metro Detroit Area Commander for The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division. “It’s about making ‘doing good’ a priority in our lives. We’re overwhelmed every year by the generosity our community supporters and the community-at-large show during Doing The Most Good Week.” As a part of the festivities, many gathered in downtown’s Campus Martius Park for a lunchtime celebration that featured free chips and salsa courtesy of Garden Fresh Gourmet, free ice cream courtesy of Kroger, performances by The Salvation Army Brass Band and Adult Rehabilitation Center Singers, a visit from the Detroit Tigers’ mascot PAWS and a food truck rally featuring El Guapo, Green Zebra, Mac Shack and Treat Dreams.
The highlight of the celebration was the Do Gooder Challenge, a friendly carnival game competition that Bill Emerson, CEO of Quicken Loans participated in and was drenched, but all for a good cause. For a donation, participants hurled balls at a target which, when accurately hit, punctured water-filled balloons to douse the “victims” sitting below. The Do Gooder Challenge, alone, raised more than $3,500 for The Salvation Army. That amount represents money raised during the competition as well as additional post-event donations from Quicken Loans and Title Source employees in honor of their president, Jeff Eisenshtadt’s victory. Other Campus Martius celebration highlights include:
- Garden Fresh Gourmet’s contribution of $5,700 in free salsa and chip samples for revelers and through a special Salvation Army fundraiser held by Quicken Loans and Title Source team members.
- Kroger’s contribution of 3,000 novelty ice cream treats for passersby to enjoy.
- Green Zebra Food Truck’s contribution of 5 percent of sales from the food truck rally in Cadillac Square.
In addition to all of this excitement, more than $400 was generated mid-week on Restaurant Day during which tri-county Olga’s Kitchen locations donated 20% of diners’ receipts when accompanied by a special Doing the Most Good voucher.
Doing the Most Good Week kicked off with The Salvation Army’s annual Sporting Clay Shoot at the Detroit Gun Club, sponsored by Kotz Sangster Wysocki, P.C. The event raised more than $55,000 from local business and sports enthusiasts through event sponsorships, entry fees, target competitions and a live auction. Event proceeds benefit The Salvation Army Outdoors program, which provides youth with educational outdoor experiences like fishing, boating, swimming, climbing, archery, hiking and camping.