The Salvation Army’s 33rd Annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon Raises more than $1.6 Million
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., (Feb. 28, 2020) — The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s 33rd annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon, presented by Ford Motor Company Fund, raised $1,604,221 to combat hunger and homelessness during the 24-hour event, which aired live on News/Talk 760 WJR from One Campus Martius in the heart of Detroit.
For the tenth year in a row, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit partnered with WJR and its on-air personalities Paul W. Smith, Frank Beckmann, Steve Courtney, Mitch Albom and Guy Gordon. Bed & Bread Club founder and Detroit radio Hall of Famer Dick Purtan returned to the airwaves to close out the final three hours of the Radiothon. Jim Vella, longtime Bed & Bread Club supporter and metro Detroit advisory board member, joined the broadcast throughout the day as a special guest host.
The Salvation Army’s Bed & Bread Club Radiothon has raised more than $37.8 million in 33 years.
The large contributions throughout the day include:
- Mary Culler, president of Ford Motor Company Fund, joined the live broadcast to donate $250,000 on behalf of the organization;
- The Jack and Annette Aronson Family donated $75,000 through the Artichoke Garlic Foundation;
- DTE Gas President and Chief Operating Officer Matt Paul stopped by to generously give $50,000 from the DTE Foundation;
- A check for $43,200 was presented by The Salvation Army Metro Detroit Advisory Board;
- Reflecting on 33 annual Radiothons, Pat Moran Chevrolet, Edsel B. Ford II with his wife, Cynthia, and The Dick & Gail Purtan Family Foundation, each generously donated $33,000;
- The tote board grew $25,000 through the presentation of Comedy for a Cause proceeds from Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, Michigan Financial Companies and UHY Cares;
- Overnight donations were generously matched through a $20,000 contribution from an anonymous donor;
- Vibe Credit Union supplied volunteers at the Radiothon’s call center and also donated $15,680;
- Toyota Motor North America once again contributed, donating a generous $15,000 this year;
- Detroit native and comedian Tim Allen called in $15,000 during a matching hour;
- Pat Milliken Ford and Huntington National Bank each contributed $10,000;
- Jim Vella and his family stepped up during a match by donating $10,000.
“We are incredibly blessed to be able to continue doing God’s work, feeding and sheltering those in need in the community though the Bed & Bread program,” Lt. Col. John Turner, divisional commander for The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division. “The Salvation Army is truly thankful for News/Talk 760 WJR, Ford Motor Company Fund and all of our generous donors and sponsors who have helped make the 33rd annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon a success.”
For those who missed their opportunity to donate during the Radiothon, there’s still time to make a contribution by:
- Visiting salmich.org
- Calling 833-SAL-HOPE
- Texting BREAD to 24365
About The Salvation Army Bed & Bread Program
The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s Bed & Bread Program serves more than 3,500 meals each day to men, women and children who would otherwise go without. That’s nearly 1.3 million meals every year. In addition, the Bed & Bread Program provides nearly 118,000 nights of shelter annually.
The Bed & Bread Program is unique in that it serves many people via mobile soup kitchens. The Bed & Bread trucks are on the streets of Detroit 365 days a year making designated stops throughout the day.
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