67º

CHARITY

This project helps Detroit-area restaurants and feeds the community at the same time

A partnership between the Detroit Free Press and Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers is aiming to make the best of a difficult time. It’s called Top 10 Cares, and it’s all about connecting struggling restaurants with funds to help them feed local communities. The Top 10 Cares initiative sends donations directly to local restaurants, who then deliver healthy, locally sourced meals to community members in need. Now, the goal is shifting to feed Detroit-area community members who have been hard hit by the pandemic. Anani said the money he’s gotten to feed the community has helped him keep his doors open.

Local chefs will battle to help families in need

The Ronald McDonald House Of Southeastern Michigan serves as a support system for families with children in local hospitals. Host Tati Amare spoke with Jennifer Litomisky, Executive Director of Ronald Mcdonald House Of Southeastern Michigan about an upcoming cooking fundraiser that will support families in need. Litomisky explained that the Ronald McDonald House is a “home away from home”. Their upcoming fundraiser puts two chefs head-to-head with some mystery ingredients to create a tasty masterpiece. The cook-off for kids in need will support families who rely on the local Ronald McDonald House.

How Mother Waddles devoted her life to helping those in need in Detroit

DETROIT – You may know the name Mother Waddles because you’ve heard of the charitable car donation program. But, Mother Waddles is not just a name. The Reverend Charleszetta Waddles devoted her life to providing food, hope and dignity to thousands of the city’s poorest citizens. Now her grandson is on a mission to have the city of Detroit bestow long overdue honor for her years of work. Click here to visit the Mother Waddles website.

Grosse Pointe teen collects items for less fortunate

GROSSE POINTE, Mich. – A local family is used to volunteering and giving back, but had to find a new way to help others during the coronavirus pandemic. If you can’t drop them off in the box, there’s an Amazon wishlist on the charity’s website. “At first it was just close friends and family, once it gained traction, more distant friends friends and family,” Tengler said. “Now it’s people I don’t even know.”So far, the 17-year-old has collected about 2,000 pairs of socks and underwear. “We’re so fortunate and there are so many people who have been super affected by the pandemic,” Tengler said.

This donation event is an incredible way for you to get involved, help those in need

This pandemic has been a hardship for many, including local charities that have a mission to help those in need and provide hope. There’s one charity that’s picking up “Truckloads of Hope,” and helping those in the community. All 38 Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers are collecting donations of toiletries, socks, underwear, sheets, blankets, and hand sanitizer for their “Truckloads of Hope” event. Capuchin Soup Kitchen collects these types of donations for their Shower Programs, which assist those who have inadequate shelter. The Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers’ “Truckloads of Hope” will be collecting donations until March 31.

Zingerman’s 6th annual fundraiser to benefit SafeHouse goes virtual amid pandemic

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Zingerman’s Community of Businesses is hosting a virtual dinner Tuesday night to wrap up a month-long fundraiser benefiting SafeHouse Center. The sixth annual Jelly Bean Jump Up will feature a three course meal from Zingerman’s Roadhouse, which participants can order online and pick up before the event. The Jelly Bean Jump Up will take place 7 p.m. Tuesday. Funds raised from Jelly Bean Jump Up will benefit Ann Arbor’s SafeHouse Center, who serves domestic violence and sexual assault survivors in Washtenaw County. Click here to reserve your spot at the sixth annual Jelly Bean Jump Up dinner.

Detroit-area radio DJ living in tent for a good cause

DETROIT – A local radio DJ is spending several nights outside in a tent, braving the freezing temperatures for a good cause. Steve Grunwald from WYCD’s morning show has been sleeping outside the Ronald McDonald House since Tuesday night. He’s doing it to raise $50,000 for the Ronald McDonald House, which offers families a place to stay while their children are undergoing treatment at Children’s hospital. Grunwald has promised to stay put, living in that tent, until every dime of the $50,000 is raised. But here’s the kicker: You can donate to help Grunwald reach his goal, or you can donate to keep him there longer.

Clawson police, fire take ‘polar plunge’ to raise money for Special Olympics

This year, the Clawson Police and Fire Department raised a total of $2702 for the Special Olympics Charity. Clawson Police and Fire Department members embraced the cold of Michigan winter for a good cause. Police officers Ryan Tracy and Scott Vierk joined firefighters Connor Winther and David O’Connell for a polar plunge to help raise money for the Special Olympics. Check out the video below -- and donate to the cause here.

Ann Arbor tweens raise funds for COVID relief

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Stella and Maybree are two Ann Arbor girls who have been best friends since kindergarten. The two sixth graders have grown up figuring out ways to help others and when they saw the news reports of health care workers in need, they wanted to help. They saw news stories about health care workers who were struggling to get the personal protection equipment they needed. Stella and Maybree took it all in, not as 11-year-olds, but as humans who simply care about other humans. They decided to raise money to help Henry Ford Health System’s COVID emergency relief efforts.

Ann Arbor woman raising money to provide homeless with phone charging kits

READ: Former homeless woman hands out phone charger kits to those in need in Ann ArborAside from not having a safe place to stay, another problem was created. Many homeless people do keep a cell phone, that is how they can stay connected to services offering help. A formerly homeless woman in Ann Arbor found a solution but is asking for help. Ariah Schgat, 28, said when she was homeless her phone was her lifeline to doctors, shelter services and more. READ: Michigan nonprofit aims to help homeless, dismiss stereotypes“It’s very nerve-wracking because every percent going down is another chance you could miss the call that could get you off the streets,” she said.

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donates $10M to YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit

DETROIT – Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $10 million to the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit. “I was stunned, and tell you the truth -- I was at a loss for words,” President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit Helene Weir said. The YMCA in Detroit plans to use the donation for health and wellness programs. Because of COVID-19, the YMCA had to furlough most of its staff and saw a significant drop in donations. The YMCA is now looking for feedback and suggestions and how to best utilize the donation.

People across country send gifts to Metro Detroit family thanks to social media influencer

The Brugnone family all contracted coronavirus while the father was hospitalized for a brain tumor, but when a popular Instagram influencer heard about it and got involved, people across the country pitched in. “I contracted COVID late March,” Rebecca Brugnone said. That was only the beginning of the problems for Brugnone and her entire family. It was one that the entire family -- including two children -- would have to face. “We were kind of preparing for his his surgery and we all contracted COVID again,” Brugnone said.

Focus: HOPE donates thousands of meals to seniors across Metro Detroit

DETROIT – With so many people out of work, the need is great this holiday season. Local organizations -- like Focus: HOPE -- are trying to ease the burden one meal at a time. Loretta Brown is one of hundreds -- yes, hundreds -- of volunteers working with Focus: HOPE to bring food to low income seniors across Metro Detroit. “So we’ll have the turkey, produce, stuffing -- all things for a holiday meal -- and not just for Christmas, but hopefully a few more days before and after that,” said Focus: HOPE Food Program Director Frank Kubik,Saturday, Focus: Hope delivered 1,400 special holiday boxes. “They said, ‘No problem!’ They stepped up and said they’ll do what needs to be done.”You can donate to Focus: HOPE on its official website here.

Rare Krugerrand placed in St. Clair Shores Salvation Army Kettle for 8th year in a row

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. – It happens every year, at the same time, same location. A Secret Santa for the Salvation Army didn’t let the pandemic get in its way. READ: Mystery person drops coin worth $1,300 into Metro Detroit Salvation Army kettleFor the eighth year in a row, someone dropped off a South African Gold Krugerrand into a Red Kettle at the Kroger store near 9 Mile Road and Jefferson Avenue in St. Clair Shores. It’s worth more than $2,000. The fundraiser gathers money for charities across Metro Detroit, and is more important than ever during the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Live stream: 9th annual SAY Detroit Radiothon

DETROIT – It’s time to tune in or click-on for one of Detroit’s biggest fundraising events of the year when SAY Detroit hosts its ninth annual radiothon on Thursday. “Due to Covid-19 and the recession, non-profits in Metro Detroit are really struggling” said SAY Detroit founder Mitch Albom. The annual Mitch Albom Radiothon has raised more than $5.7 million dollars since 2012. All of the proceeds raised goes to one of SAY Detroit’s nine programs or affiliated charities in Detroit that it supports. SAY Detroit was founded in 2006 by Albom and is committed to working in Detroit’s neediest neighborhoods with health care, housing and education including the SAY Detroit Family Health clinic, Working Homes/Working Families and Detroit SAY Play Center at Lipke Park.

Celebrities coming together to help charities in Detroit

This Thursday December 10, Mitch Albom is encouraging you to give a gift back to the Detroit community by donating to the SAY Detroit Radiothon. The fundraiser gathers money for charities across Metro Detroit, and is more important than ever during the uncertainty of the pandemic. Usually, Albom and co-host Ken Brown would host the event out of Somerset Mall, inviting guests onstage with them and drawing large crowds. This year though, Albom and Brown will be the only ones onstage and guests will be tuning in over video chat. Albom said they’re hoping that even now when times are tough, there will still be those who decide to donate.