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Detroit Winter Blast To Raise Funds For Flint Water Crisis

DETROIT (AP) - Organizers of a popular winter festival in downtown Detroit will use the event to raise money for children affected by lead-tainted water in Flint.

Winter Blast (Dewey) 1-27-16
Winter Blast (WWJ/Ron Dewey)

Meridian Health Plan will match donations during the 2016 Meridian Winter Blast up to $40,000 for the Flint Child Health & Development Fund.

Each of the 46 bands performing at the festival will donate 10 percent of their pay, and Talmer Bank will give $1 to the fund for every person who travels down the snow slide.

The goal is to raise more than $75,000. The event runs Feb. 12-14 in Campus Martius park.

Flint switched from Detroit's water system in 2014 to the Flint River to save money, but the water wasn't properly treated for corrosion. High lead levels have since been found in some children.

© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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