Charity Preview raises $5.2 million for Michigan children's charities

DETROIT – The North American Auto Show’s Charity Preview kicked off Friday night at the Cobo Center and $5.2 million was raised for children’s charities, according to the NAIAS.

The funds raised this year put the amount the Charity Preview has earned for southeastern Michigan children’s charities over $111 million in the last 41 years.

The black-tie event which hosted over 12,800 people at the Cobo Center comes after the first five days of mobility immersion at the North American International Auto Show.

Celebrities among the attendees includedJoe Biden and Dan Gilbert, who both sat down to speak with reporters to discuss the new age of technology, the auto industry and politics both local and national.

“The past five days at NAIAS have exemplified the transformation that is reshaping the auto industry as we know it,” said 2017 NAIAS Chairman Sam Slaughter. “Tonight’s Charity Preview continues with the theme of transformation in that the monies raised in this one single night will help in some way to transform the lives of children and families in our local community.”

Some of the charities that will benefit from Friday's black tie event include the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan, Boys Hope Girls Hope Detroit, Children’s Center, March of Dimes Metro Detroit, Detroit PAL and the Judson Center.

The Public Show at the Detroit Auto Show opens Saturday at 9 a.m. and will continue until Jan. 22.

Tickets can be purchased here.