Radiothon Has Raised More Than $44.8 Million Since Dick Purtan Founded the Annual Fundraiser in 1988

DETROIT, MI, February 28, 2024 — Cumulus Media announces that its Detroit News/Talk station 760 WJR raised $1,637,238 to help The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit combat hunger and homelessness in Metro Detroit through the 37^th Annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon on Thursday, February 22^nd and Friday, February 23^rd.  The 27-hour radio fundraiser aired on 760 WJR and featured on-air personalities Rene Vitale, Mike Parsons, Guy Gordon, Lloyd Jackson, Jamie Edmonds, Kevin Dietz, Tom Jordan, Marie Osborne, Paul W. Smith, Mitch Albom, Dan Aronson, and Bed & Bread Club founder and Detroit Radio Hall of Famer Dick Purtan, broadcasting from The Salvation Army Great Lakes Divisional Headquarters in Southfield. Purtan, who helped launch the first-ever Radiothon in 1988, returned for a surprise second interview to cap the successful fundraiser.

The annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon has raised more than $44.8 million since Dick Purtan’s first Radiothon in 1988.

Steve Finateri, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Detroit, said: “For the past 14 years, it has been an honor to partner with and support The Salvation Army’s mission of Doing the Most Good. The generous donations from our listeners will serve as a beacon of hope to thousands of metro Detroiters in need, providing a safe place to sleep for the homeless and nutritious meals for the hungry.” 

Major Toni Dorrell, Metro Detroit area Commander of The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division, commented: “The support of the metro Detroit community has been remarkable; every dollar donated this Radiothon will provide the homeless with a warm place to sleep and the hungry with nutritious meals. Together, we are delivering hope to the most vulnerable. The Salvation Army would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to 760 WJR for hosting the Radiothon since 2011; their support has helped us fulfill our mission of Doing the Most Good.” 

Throughout each broadcast day, appearances from special guests encouraged the community to donate and help those who are hungry and homeless in metro Detroit. Michigan natives Tim Allen and Lomas Brown also joined business and civic leaders to show their support of The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit. Generous Radiothon contributions include:  

·       Radiothon hosted by 760 WJR 

·       The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit Advisory Board – $78,565 

·       The Artichoke Garlic Foundation – $75,000 

·       Moran Automotive – $37,000 

·       The Dick & Gail Purtan Family Foundation – $37,000 

·       Edsel B. Ford II – $35,000 

·       Tim Allen – $25,000 

·       Fifth Third Bank – $20,000 

·       Genthe Automotive – $15,000 

·       The Salvation Army Phone Bank Powered by BullsEye – Lingo 

·       Pat Milliken Ford – $10,000 

·       Plunkett Cooney – $5,175 

·       Emagine Theaters – $5,000 

·       Northridge Church in Plymouth – $5,000 

·       National Food Group – $5,000 

To donate, visit: SAmetrodetroit.org, text BREAD to 24365 or call 833-SAL-HOPE (833-725-4673).

For more information, visit SAmetrodetroit.org. 

About The Salvation Army Bed & Bread Program  

The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s Bed & Bread Program serves more than 4,600 meals each day to men, women and children who would otherwise go without. That’s nearly 1.7 million meals every year. In addition, the Bed & Bread Program provides nearly 52,000 nights of shelter annually. Hats, gloves, socks, personal supplies and blankets are often distributed, along with the meals.  

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.  

About Cumulus Media

Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) is an audio-first media company delivering premium content to over a quarter billion people every month — wherever and whenever they want it. Cumulus Media engages listeners with high-quality local programming through 403 owned-and-operated radio stations across 85 markets; delivers nationally-syndicated sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming from iconic brands including the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, CNN, AP News, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and many other world-class partners across more than 9,800 affiliated stations through Westwood One, the largest audio network in America; and inspires listeners through the Cumulus Podcast Network, its rapidly growing network of original podcasts that are smart, entertaining and thought-provoking. Cumulus Media provides advertisers with personal connections, local impact and national reach through broadcast and on-demand digital, mobile, social, and voice-activated platforms, as well as integrated digital marketing services, powerful influencers, full-service audio solutions, industry-leading research and insights, and live event experiences. Cumulus Media is the only audio media company to provide marketers with local and national advertising performance guarantees. For more information visit www.cumulusmedia.com.

Contact: Lisa Dollinger, Dollinger Strategic Communication for Cumulus Media, lisa@dollcomm.com and 512.633.4084.