The Salvation Army’s 36th Annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon Surpasses its Goal of $1.8 Million
* Dan Aronson, representing The Artichoke Garlic Foundation with WJR Radio Host Guy Gordon during the final segment of the Radiothon.
Last Friday, February 24, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit held its 36th annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon which was presented by Ford Motor Company Fund. The amount raised was $1,888,503 and it will be used to combat hunger and homelessness.
The 27-hour radio fundraiser, held on February 23 and 24, aired on 760 WJR with its on-air personalities Paul W. Smith, Sean Baligian, Marie Osborne, Tom Jordan, Chris Renwick, Lloyd Jackson, Mitch Albom, Ken Brown, Steve Courtney, Guy Gordon and Bed & Bread Club founder and Detroit radio Hall of Famer Dick Purtan broadcasting from The Salvation Army Great Lakes Divisional Headquarters in Southfield.
"It has been an honor to participate in The Salvation Army's annual Radiothon for the past 13 years and support the nonprofit's mission of feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless," said Steve Finateri, vice president and marketing manager of 760 WJR.
"We are grateful for the generous donations from our listeners and supporters, who make it possible for us to continue helping those in need.”
* Ford Motor Company presents a $50,000 donation to The Salvation Army. Left to right: Christina Gallop, Director-Corporate, Grant & Foundation Relations at The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division, Joe Provenzano, Mobility Director at Ford Motor Company Fund, WJR Radio Host Paul W. Smith, Lt. Colonel John Turner, Divisional Commander at The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division.
Throughout the day, appearances from special guests encouraged the community to donate and help those who are hungry and homeless in metro Detroit. Michigan natives Tim Allen and Terry Crews also joined business and civic leaders to show their support of The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit.
Generous contributions came through the phone bank powered by BullsEye - Lingo which included:
- Dick Genthe Chevrolet – $10,000
- Charlie Nemes of Nemes Rush Family Wealth Management – $10,000
- Toyota Motor North America – $15,000
- Huntington – $15,000
- Vibe Credit Union – $15,000
- Fifth Third Bank – $20,000
- Tim Allen Foundation – $25,000
- The Purtan Family Foundation – $36,000
- Edsel and Cynthia Ford – $35,000
- Pat Moran Chevrolet – $36,000
- Schostak Brothers & Co. – $50,000
- The Salvation Army Metro Detroit Advisory Board – $52,275
- Artichoke Garlic Foundation – $150,000
- Ford Motor Company Fund – $400,000
* Phone bank volunteers hard at work taking donations.
"The Metro Detroit community's support has been remarkable; their generous donations and support have touched the lives of thousands of people in need; we are blessed to have such a wonderful community,” said Lt. Col. John Turner, divisional commander and regional CEO for The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division.
“The Salvation Army would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to WJR for hosting the Radiothon for the past 13 years; their support has helped us fulfill our mission of doing the most good.”
* The final amount raised displayed on the Pat Milliken Ford Tote Board
Supporters can still make a monetary contribution to the Radiothon by:
- Donating online
- Texting BREAD to 24365
- Calling 833-SAL-HOPE (833-725-4673)
The Salvation Army’s Bed & Bread Club Radiothon has raised more than $43.1 million in 36 years.
About The Salvation Army Bed & Bread Program
The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s Bed & Bread Program serves nearly 3,500 meals each day to men, women and children who would otherwise go without. That’s more than 1.3 million meals every year. In addition, the Bed & Bread Program provides more than 72,000 nights of shelter annually.