Friday, February 29, 2008

THANK YOU ALL !


It was a great challenge. Donations are still coming. It's 10:10 PM. We are announcing our total number.

Dick Purtan Radiothon 2008 raised 2,310,070. Thanks to everybody. Great job, Metro Detroit !!!

Keep making your donations !!!

It's getting hot here. We need your donations to reach the goal. Phones are ringing, on-line donations are coming. We are hoping to reach the goal. Keep donating, people !!!

Every dollar goes to Bed and Bread Club

We need $100,000 more to make our goal.

“We have been overwhelmed by the enormous support we have seen from not only WOMC and Dick Purtan, but also the entire southeast Michigan community throughout the 20 years of this radiothon,” said Major Norman Marshall, divisional commander of The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division. “From its humble beginnings, this radiothon has exceeded all of our expectations. It is our hope that together, we can make this the most successful radiothon to date.”

Let's cheer one more time for Dick Purtan !!!


After more than 15 hours Dick Purtan Radiothon is close to reach the goal. We need your donations to match another $100,000 gift from Matilda Wilson Foundation. Please call or click to help Dick !!!

They need our help now.

Take time to speak with a few homeless people and one thing becomes obvious: there's no single path that leads to life on the streets.

Some become homeless after losing a job. Others are reduced to this existence after drugs and gambling have stolen every last dollar and all of their self-worth.

Confused, hopeless and desperate, The Salvation Army helps these individuals put the pieces of their lives back together. Our total for 9:00 is $2,055,870.

2 million!!!


Congratulations! The Matilda Wilson Fund gift was matched. With your donations we just hit the 2 million dollar mark.

Thank you to Panasonic for your generous donation!

8 PM Total


It's 8:10 PM here in Oakland Mall. Dick Purtan and the rest of his team are broadcasting live. The last total was 1,652,126. We are closer to reaching our goal. Thank you Metro Detroit and Nuts Are Good Incorporated for your generous donations!

7:30 Matilda Wilson Fund Announces $50,000 Matching Hour - Dick Purtan lson Fund Announces $50,000 Matching Hour - Dick Purtan Responds

The Matilda Wilson Fund responded with another generous match of $50,000. After hearing this, Dick Purtan responded with a match of his own for $20,000. This means that from 7:35-8:35 p.m. the first $20,000 received will be tripled. Your donation of $10 per month to help feed someone for a year will actually help three people. This is the first ever triple matching hour in the 21 year history of the Radiothon.

Please donate down and help us spend Dick Purtan's and Matilda Wilson Funds money. We are close to our goal and can get their with your help.

Dana is back

Dana and Rebekah are back from serving food to the hungry and homeless from the Bed and Bread truck. They were able to feed people in one of the most distressed areas in Detroit. Dana is visibly moved by what she saw, and heard. She has been riding on the truck to serve the needy for 12 years, but believes that this year the need is even greater than ever.

She told the story of a woman who particularly touched her heart. Dick was reminded of the many times when he has served meals from he truck. It is a truly humbling experience, but knowing that you are able, with one phone call or one click on-line, to make a difference in the life of others is life changing.

Thank you to Pat Moran and everyone at Moran Chevrolet for their HUGE donation! We could not do what we're doing without out your support!

Get out of the cold with a simple donation

Thank you to Mt. Elliott Cemetery Association for their generous donation. Plus, remember to stop by the Oakland Mall and have your charicature drawn for any donation to the Salvation Army Radiothon up until 9 p.m.!

Anyone calling this hour - until 7 p.m. will have his or her name entered into a drawing to win a trip for two to Jamaica for three nights. The trip includes airfare and choice of hotel.

The trip is coutesy of NWA World Vacations.

Drawings will be held the week of March 3, 2008. Winners will be posted on the web. Winners will be contacted the week of March 3, 2008 by phone/mail. Good luck.

6 p.m. Total

Our total at 6 p.m. is $1, 344,627.00!

Thanks for everything you've done so far. Let's keep going until we reach our goal, there are many people: family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and those we have yet to meet, that are in need throughout the Metro Detroit Area and every little bit helps.

Dick just announced that at 6:15 p.m. our total is $1,383,777.00 Coming up this hour is our friends and sponsor -- Somerset Ophthalmology!

9-year-old donates her savings


Nine-year old Chelsea Tyre of Eastpointe managed to save $60.00 in coins. Her mom says Chelsea passed on treats on many occasions, in Chelsea's own words, "I wanted to help other children eat." "If I spend my money to buy popcorn balls", she said, "some other kids will not eat today."

Call 248-307-1043 to make your pledge today or donate on-line.

Thank you to Homedics for your generous donation!

Custom Jewlery

Mr. Michael Agnello just joined Dick on stage and presented a donation of more than $2,000

In addition to that generous gift, for donors who make a donation between 5 and 6 p.m. today, Michael Agnello Jewelers has provided a great incentive. Your name will be entered into a drawing to win one pair of custom designed dangling diamond earrings. The earrings consist of 42 round diamonds set in groups of three and weighing 1.26 total carat weight and of SI-1 quality and 1 color. The retail value of the earrings is $1,995.00, but the joy you will feel in knowing that your donation prevented a family from being hungry is priceless.

Drawings will be held the week of March 3, 2008. Winners will be posted on the web. Winners will be contacted the week of March 3, 2008 by phone/mail. Good luck.

Another total

We just made $1,198,021. We have 5 more hours to exceed our last year total, which was $2,398, 783.00. Edsel Ford will match up to $25,000 until 6 PM. Please make your donations. Click here to donate on-line.

Junior Bed And Bread Club


The Jr. Bed & Bread Club is a program that teaches students the value of the charity and raises funds for The Salvation Army's services to Detroit's homeless and hungry. Children from Royal Oak Hockey association are one of the Jr. Bed and Bread Club members. This year they are presenting $26,000 to the Dick Purtan Radiothon. This money was raised during their 2nd annual skate athon.

More Thanks


We want to say thank you to our corporate sponsors: Andiamo Italia, Credit Union One, Wright & Filippis (see the photo;) Marygrove Awning.

Without people like you we would never be able to make our goals and The Salvation Army could not serve as many people in need.

Pistons Suite Package.

Our total for 4 PM is $1,064,282 !!!

Thank you to University Liggett Schools for your generous donation!

Plus, all donations between 4 - 5PM will be put into a drawing for a chance to win a suit for an upcoming Piston's game at the Palace of Auburn Hills for 12 people. Drawings will be held the week of March 3, 2008. Winners will be posted on the web. Winners will be contacted the week of March 3, 2008 by phone/mail. Good luck.

Only with your help

Last year The Dick Purtan Radiothon raised $2,398, 783.00 . This year we hope to exceed that goal. With the funds raised we are able to feed over 4900 people each day and shelter 565 people each night. We hope to exceed that amount this year and feed and assist as many people who need the help. Every dollar raised goes directly into services for individuals and families throughout Southeast Michigan.

One donor's story


Ever wonder what happens to your donations. Alicia Salas came to us during the Radiothon today and shared the reason she made a donation.

As a child she lived in Detroit and was part of a family with 8 children. Her dad had Cancer and her mom had Lupus. Neither parent worked and The Salvation Army helped the family with food, clothing and everything they needed. She says if it hadn't been for The Salvation Army she doesn't know where the family would be. She reports that all 8 children completed college and have gone on to do well in life. She makes a point to give whatever she can, and encourages her friends and family to give too.

Be like Alicia and make your pledge today, 248.307.1043

Purtan is on, the girls are out and the count is up

After a well deserved break, Purtan's people sans Dana and Rebekah, are back on the air.

Dana and Rebekah are on their way to feed the hungry and homeless from the Bed and Bread trucks on the streets of Detroit.

Thank you to Credit Union ONE for your generous donation AND for providing an additional phone bank center to ensure we don't miss any calls from people making donations to the radithon! And thank you to Wright & Filippis for your donation and for providing volunteers to work the Credit Union ONE phone bank!

Our current total is $972, 731.00

Denby Center


Thank you to Andiamo Italia for your generous donation!

On the air now are representatives of The Salvation Army Denby Center.

The Salvation Army Denby Center is housed in an old, but architecturally beautiful house on the West side of Detroit.

The Denby Center is home to children who have aged out of the foster care system, those who come from unstable and sometimes abusive homes, and home to several unwed teenage mothers. The center provides a shelter for them to live and gives them the structure, and nurture that they missed in the homes from which they came.

Ted "The Bear" is on the air.


Congratulations! We just matched a $50,000 gift from the Matilda Wilson Foundation with the help of our sponsor Cottage Inn Pizza! Way to go Michigan!


Ted "The Bear" will continue to host the Radiothon until 3 PM, when Dick Purtan and Purtan's People will return from a much needed break.

2 PM Total

Our total for 2 PM is $878,191. We want to thank all of our donors, sponsors and volunteers.

We are having lunch, but somebody isn't.


Dick Purtan and Purtan's People are taking a little break, but our volunteers are still taking phone donation and we are still accepting donations on-line. Please keep making pledges. Every day of the year, the Bed & Bread Trucks serve meals to children, adults and seniors who would otherwise go hungry.

Thank you to Advanced Vein Therapies for your generous donation!

1 PM total

Our 1 p.m. total is $836,589.

We are on our way to reaching our goal with your help. Please call 248-307-1043 or click on the link to donate on-line.

The "Rhode" from poverty to radio


Rebekah Rhodes always touches the hearts of listeners when she tells the story of her struggles. Today, she told the story of her personal connection to The Salvation Army. It would be impossible for this blogger to do justice to Ms. Rhodes by trying to re-tell her story in print. But I will say that as a listener you could hear the tears that I witnessed that flowed from her face as she told her story. She is truly a success, and with continued help from our supporters there will be more women like Rebekah on the road from poverty.

TV on Radio


Channel 7's Stephen Clark, Don Shane and the great lady Diana Lewis joined Joanne Purtan on stage during the Radiothon The four of them did a live remote for their station from the Radiothon. Ms. Purtan interviewed her dad while the other three spoke to not only the radio audience but the mall (in studio) audience as well. Mr. Purtan shared the lithograph that will be give away as part of the donor promotion today. The tv personalties showed their support talking about how the work of The Salvation Army helps so many people and has been a part of so many lives over the years.
Look for the team on air this afternoon.

Why does The Salvation Army need your donations.

The Bed and Bread program brings food, shelter and services to countless destitute people within our community, providing them with their basic needs and assisting them to get back on their feet. More than 4,900 meals are served each day to the hungry by the program, which includes Bed & Bread trucks that make stops in metro Detroit’s most depressed areas every day of the year. In addition, the Bed & Bread program shelters 565 men, women and children each day.

The Army holds no illusions. Shelter and feeding programs will not solve the crisis faced by those without food to eat or a place to sleep. Clearly, long-term solutions such as job training and counseling are necessary to break the cycle of poverty.

But by sharing daily bread, The Salvation Army meets today's needs and gives hope for a better tomorrow.

12 PM total.

Thank you to our generous host, The Oakland Mall! They have donated $5,000 to the radiothon.

Our 12 PM total is $776,113.

Thank you to Mike and Candi Mihalich and MJR Movie Theatres for their generous donations to the Radiothon! And for providing mall donors with the opportunity to recieve movie passes for walk up donations during the noon hour.

Click to help Dick !!!


Thank you to both MJC Building and the White House wedding Chapel by Lavdas for donating $2,000 to the Dick Purtan Radiothon to benefit the Salvation Army Radiothon.

Your donations help The Salvation Army to feed hungry people in and around Detroit. Be part of our effort, Click here to make your gift.

Our 11 AM total is $704,424

Way to go !!!

More thanks :)


Thank you to William Langford from Pepsico, a Salvation Army Advisory Board Member, just donated $5,ooo donation to the Bed and Bread.

Call in!


Big Al will answer your call sometimes. Call us to make a pledge and you may have a chance to talk to him. You also can click on the donation link if you want to make immediate donation. Thank you to Pat Milliken Ford in Redford for their generous donation of $5,000.

We raised $58,495 during the 15 minute Dick Genthe match. WOW!!! 10:30 total is $683,097.

More gifts. Sweet!!!

Thank you to Sanders and Morley Candy for their donation of $960. They have also given 96 solid chocolate bunnies for donors. During Easter week Sanders and Morley will be on the Bed and Bread truck giving out chocolate to those in need in the metro Detroit area.

Our 10 AM total

Our 10 a.m. total is $606,668 !!! Dick Genthe Chevrolet will be matchin up to $5,000 for the next 15 minutes. We can do it!

Back to school


The students at South Lake School District have raised $810 through a variety activities. They stopped by today to drop off their donation and let other students in the area know how easy it was to help others in their community! Good work kids!

Having fun

It's about 10 AM and we are waiting for the total. In the mean time Heywood Bank is performing live on stage. The mall is opening at 10 AM. Stop by and join the fun! You

Kids helping hungry kids!


Waterford School District has given a donation of $10,632!

The money was raised by students at 20 schools in the district. They conducted a variety of fundraisers. We appreciate the efforts of these fine young people. Way to go!

$5,000 raised!!!

The match from Bell Tire is now over. We raised over $5,000 to help the people of metro Detroit.

Vito's Bakery


Vito's Bakery gave us $600, but they also provided the food for the volunteers who are helping here today. Thank you to Vito's Bakery. And yum...!

Bell Tire will double your donation.

Belle Tire in the next ten minutes will match all donations up to $2,000. Call in or click to double your donation. Thank you Belle Tire. Our 9 AM total is $527,722

Thanks to MGL Select !


MGL Select, a new Michigan company that specializes in healthy food and cooking products, has given a generous donation of $2,000 and 100 cases of flavored vitamin water.

The water will be given out from the Bed and Bread trucks to needy people of Detroit. Thank you MGL Select !!!

Help from Mt. Elliott Cemetery Association


Mt. Elliott Cemetery Association is in Oakland mall today drawing caricatures of people for donations to the Radiothon. Come donate and get your "free" caricature.

We are having a blast at the Oakland Mall and those who donate in person will be able to see Dick "live" on-stage.

A gift from Kroger


A HUGE thank you to Kroger and their customers!

Kroger has given us over $7,500 from the company and their customers. Plus, they are donating 15,000 loaves of bread to make sandwiches for the Bed and Bread trucks.

Thank you Kroger and all your employees.

Out 8 AM total is:

Our new total is$432,054. Thanks again to the Ford Motor Company Fund for their $50,000 match. Thanks to the community for pitching in and making Ford spend every penny of the match. Don't forget everyone can make a difference. Donate whatever you can. Everything is going good here. Do not forget about our hourly incentives. You donation gives you an chance to get a great prize.

Thank you to Medical Network One.


Their donation of $3,000 will be matched by Ford Motor. They have challenged other community based medical organizations to meet or exceed their donation.

A few minutes left to match $50,000 gift !!!

We have a few more minutes. Thank you to Big Boy Restourants for their donation. Please, make your donations to help us reach our goal.

7 AM Total

One hour in and we are on our way!

Our 7 AM total is $233,371. Thank you to Big Boy for their generous donation!

And by the way, the Ford Motor Company Fund has given $50,000 to match any donations given until 8 AM. Wow, this is the largest match we have ever had!!! Call now to double your donation!

Jack Aronson, owner of Garden Fresh Gorment (the best salsa I have ever tasted) recieved the Salvation Army Corporate Giving Award. Mr Aronson undewrote all the Radiothon costs for 2008. This insures that not one penny of your donations today go for administrative costs. This $100,000 commitment is very appreciated.

Our First Total

Our first total is $16,080. Thank you to Birmingham Chrysler Jeep for your generous donation! You know, you can donate on-line (see the link on your right) or by the phone 248-307-1043.

Time to start!


Here we go everyone. We're kicking off the 21st Dick Purtan Radiothon benefiting The Bed and Bread Club. February 29. It's cold, it's early, but we are very excited!

Our goal is to raise one dollar more than last year. We need your support. Lets do it together. You can listen to us on the radio at Oldies 104.3 WOMC or stop by live at the Oakland Mall. It will be a great day!

Thank you to Sanit Air, our 6 a.m. sponsor, for helping us kick off this great day!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

21ST ANNUAL DICK PURTAN RADIOTHON

16-Hour Fundraiser Scheduled for Feb. 29th
TO BENEFIT THE SALVATION ARMY

The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit, Oldies 104.3 WOMC, Dick Purtan and Purtan’s People are once again joining forces for the annual Dick Purtan Radiothon to raise much-needed funds for the homeless and hungry in our community. The 21st Annual Dick Purtan Radiothon will broadcast live from the Oakland Mall in Troy from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 29.

By making a donation of $10 a month, for a total of $120 a year, or $20 a month, for a total of $240 a year, donors gain membership to the Bed and Bread Club. Bed and Bread Club members are eligible for a Michigan tax credit. Donors, who pledge $240 or more for the year, will receive a commemorative art print, produced by Park West Galleries that is matted and personally signed by Dick Purtan. In addition, each art print will be accompanied by a DVD of the short 3D animation of “Harrison’s First Day” featuring Dick Purtan and Harrison, TSA’s Bed & Bread Truck. Read more: