Largest Single-Day Radiothon Raises More Than $2.2 Million for The Salvation Army

Largest Single-Day Radiothon Raises More Than $2.2 Million for The Salvation Army

Celebrity callers Tim Allen, Al Roker, Jeff Daniels join host Dick Purtan to urge donations

DETROIT, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Detroit's WOMC-FM (Oldies 104.3) held the country's biggest single-day radiothon last week to raise more than $2.2 million for The Salvation Army (TSA). Detroit radio legend Dick Purtan hosted the 16-hour event, which proved to be a powerful fundraiser thanks to the help of celebrity callers Tim Allen, Fred Willard, Jeff Daniels, Al Roker, Frank Caliendo and Kathleen Madigan. The donations will help provide meals and shelter for men, women and children through TSA's "Bed and Bread" program in Michigan.

"This Radiothon is one of the most successful national fundraisers The Salvation Army runs," said Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary for The Salvation Army. "This achievement is a sign of hope that Americans will always help each other in the face of adversity, as is the case during the economic downturn that hit Michigan particularly hard."

The 22nd annual Radiothon was broadcast live from Oakland Mall in Troy. Guest callers included several celebrities who encouraged listeners to donate. Detroit's own Tim Allen, who pledged to match listener donations up to $20,000, was one of the most prolific fundraisers. Allen's one-hour stint raised $110,452.

Dick Purtan, WOMC's morning-show deejay, has helped TSA for more than two decades. He received one of TSA's highest honors in 2006, the Evangeline Booth Award, recognizing his lifetime achievement in radio. His 22-year partnership with TSA has raised nearly $22 million for Detroit's needy.

"I have been inspired by the generosity of the metro Detroit community," said Purtan. "In our current economic crisis I could not have imagined we would have such an outpouring of donations! This proves how passionate our community is about taking care of their neighbors in need."

In an area ravaged by a struggling auto industry and a 10.6 percent unemployment rate, the need in Michigan is rising at an alarming rate. TSA's Eastern Michigan Division has seen a 20 percent increase in need this year. The Eastern Michigan Division is the largest provider of social services outside of the government, according to Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm.

For more information about TSA, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org, or Eastern Michigan Division's site at www.salmich.org.

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Source: The Salvation Army

CONTACT: Elizabeth Robbins, Franco Public Relations Group,
+1-313-567-5016, robbins@franco.com, for The Salvation Army

Web Site: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

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Profile: International Entertainment