Stan Van Gundy Press Conference
Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores
(MLive.com File)
FLINT, MI -- A telethon held Tuesday with a little help from Pistons owner Tom Gores has helped to raise more than $1 million for children affected by Flint's water crisis.
Gores, the FlintNOW Foundation, and WDIV-TV announced they raised more than $1.1 million for the Flint Child Health and Development Fund through a statewide telethon.
The "Flint Water Crisis: 4 Our Families" telethon by WDIV-TV ran from 6 a.m.-8 pm. Tuesday, March 15 in Detroit on WDIV-TV, in Flint on WEYI-TV, in Lansing on WILX-TV, in Grand Rapids on WOOD-TV, and northern Michigan on 9&10.
The telethon drew more than 1,500 donations totaling $566,982, according to a news release. A pledge from Gores to match the funds raised from the telethon brought the total to $1,133,964.
"Days like today show the power of bringing people together to rally behind a community in need," Gores said in a statement. "It also sends the people of Flint an important message of hope. There is a lot more we need to do, but we are in this for the long haul and we will help turn things around."
Gores, who started the FlintNOW organization to garner aid from private sector support for relief and revitalization efforts in Flint, said he's proud of the way individual donors and companies stepped up to the challenge.
FlintNOW and the Detroit Pistons helped promote the telethon, with Pistons legends Rick Mahorn, James "Buddha" Edwards and Earl Cureton joining Palace Sports and Entertainment Vice Chairman Arn Tellem in answering phones to take donations.
Corporations from around Michigan made donations including $25,000 from Meijers, $20,000 from Bank of American Merrill Lynch, $20,000 from WDIV/Graham Media Group, and $10,000 from Kroger, according to the release.
"It was wonderful to see five television stations across Michigan, businesses and individuals come together to raise over $1,000,000 for the families and children of Flint, said WDIV-TV Vice President and General Manager Marla Drutz in a statement. "Although the telethon is over, this situation is not going away, so we encourage people and organizations near and far to continue to support the Flint Child Health and Development Fund well into the future."
Alec Gores, a Flint native and brother to Tom Gores, started his first business in Flint and stepped up with a $100,000 donation that helped make the final push over the $1,000,000 mark.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha -- who founded the Flint Child Health and Development Fund -- said an estimated 6,000 to 12,000 Flint children have been exposed to lead in the water. Hanna-Attisha said the fund was created to provide wraparound services for children and families that are not provided by state and federal government support.
"We created the Child Health and Development Fund to ensure that children will have access to the resources they need," Hanna-Attisha said in a statement. "We appreciate every dollar people gave to create a brighter tomorrow."
Many of the services the fund provides include optimal child health and development, early childhood education, educational and student support services, nutrition education and access to healthy snacks, according to the release. Hanna-Attisha said the services will not only help mitigate the impact of the water crisis, but will contribute to the long-term health of the community for all residents.
In January, Gores, a Flint native, announced a $10 million pledge to help support a broad range of short and long-term relief and revitalization efforts in Flint.
Gores created the FlintNOW Foundation as the cornerstone of that campaign and quickly set about forming strategic partnerships and deploying capital into the region. Partnering with WDIV-TV and the "Flint Water Crisis: 4 Our Families" telethon further extends FlintNOW's reach and helps continue building momentum.
Gores previously donated a total of $1 million to the Flint Child Health and Development Fund, the United Way of Genesee County's Flint Water Fund, and the American Red Cross.
The Pistons recently announced $500,000 in donations from the team's players and executives, while FlintNOW announced a partnership with NBA legend Magic Johnson to develop programs focused on early education and scholarships.
People interested in donating to the fund can visit www.flintkids.org.