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WWJ's Radiothon For THAW Continues Til Noon!

We're now in the final hour of WWJ's 8th Annual Winter Survival Radiothon benefiting THAW.  WWJ Newsradio 950 has been broadcasting LIVE for 31 hours straight, from the Detroit Science Center, to help local families stay warm this winter.   Time's up at Noon on Saturday.

We've already raised more than $301,500 far -- but we need your help!

CALL NOW TO DONATE! 1-888-579-4950

It's a double-match hour! Make your donation count, and then some! Call now and DTE will add TWICE what you pledge.

A rewarding to help: Check out hot items  up for bid in our online auction, with proceeds going to THAW. CLICK HERE.

- Check out Videos from the event -

Some people might not think twice about turning up their thermostat a few degrees. Unfortunately, there are thousands of families in southeastern Michigan who cannot even afford to heat their homes or keep the lights on. Some have even faced the situation of choosing between warmth or providing food and medication for their families. To help provide assistance to families facing such a crisis, WWJ and The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) are partnering for this 8th annual fundraising event.

Have a few dollars to spare for a neighbor in need? CLICK HERE to make a secure online donation now, or call  1-888-579-4950.

THAW assists families in need by preventing utility shut-off, providing fuel or restoring services. 91% of every dollar that THAW spends goes directly to help those in need and THAW's utility partners match every dollar that THAW raises, so that $1 becomes $2 in energy assistance.

Charlie LeDuff, Fox 2 TV Reporter talked about about why he gives, "It's important to say that 90 cents of every dollar goes to the people. This isn't some bureaucracy that is pocketing the money."

WWJ spoke with CEO Susan Sherer about  THAW's mission.

"What we're trying to build at THAW is this tight ecosystem where a low-income customer can be empowered; where they can be a part of the process of the solution; where we can wrap energy solutions around that, so we can reduce their bill by reducing their consumption, where we can get them on a plan that they can afford," Sherer said.

Sherer said about 10,000 households received assistance last year.

Hear more of our interview with Susan Sherer:

Podcast

Speaking with WWJ at the Radiothon, Father John Huber, principal of Detroit Catholic Central High School, said students reached into their own pockets to help.

"It comes from our students, who basically just donate out of their own lunch money, their pocket change," Huber said. "As a Catholic and Christian school it's part of who we are to make sure that we are our brother's keeper, and we care about those who go without the bare necessities of life," he said.

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