Detroit Pistons Feed 100,000 Michigan Residents from Funds Raised in 2009 Pistons Care Telethon Benefiting Feed the Children

The pledge total will allow FTC to help sustain 25,000 families with food and personal care items. The truckloads will begin with truck deliveries to Detroit Rescue Mission, Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit, ChildHelp USA in Southfield, the Macomb Food Program in Mt. Clemens, Orchard’s Children’s Services in Flint, Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Saginaw and the Salvation Army in Jackson and others through December 2009. For more information about FTC, please visit www.feedthechildren.org.

Although the Telethon took place on March 11, a number of fund-raising efforts took place in the days and weeks prior when employees of Palace Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) began a variety of activities and reached out to friends, neighbors and clients to ask for donations and put together programs to raise funds.

“It was truly remarkable to watch our tally board as the Telethon progressed and realize just how big the hearts are of people in our state to help others who are less fortunate during these tough times,” said Tom Wilson, President and CEO of PS&E. “Once again, the community rallied together for a worthy cause, which this year was to help sustain tens of thousands of families in critical need. It was gratifying to see neighbors helping neighbors through a rough time.”

“We are so grateful for everyone at the Pistons organization and those who participated with the Pistons Care Telethon,” said Larry Jones, founder and president of Feed The Children. “It was recently reported that the number of Michigan children living in poverty has reached nearly one in four. Because of the tremendous support from the telethon, Feed The Children is able to deliver many truckloads of food to Michigan children and families who are in need. We understand the plight these families are currently experiencing and our thoughts and prayers are with them. Thank you to the Pistons organization for your dedication to helping Michigan families.”

Detroit Pistons partners Rock Financial, Fathead, Belle Tire and National City all contributed to the cause, as did the team’s television partner Fox Sports Detroit. Numerous television sponsors donated their spots during the telecast to share the message about Feed The Children and various sponsors contributed to the radio telecast on WDFN AM 1130 as well as in-arena throughout the March 11 game.

Entertainers including Jimmy Buffett, Bob Seger, Kid Rock, Eminem, Billy Joel & Elton John, Jay Leno, Big & Rich, Anita Baker, Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago all supported the event.

Local media also supported the Pistons Care Telethon including WCSX-FM, WYCD-FM, WWJ-AM, CIMX-FM, CIDR-FM, WXYT-AM/FM, WVMV-FM, WDVD-FM, WRIF-FM, WOMC-FM and The Mitch Albom Show who broadcast live from The Palace throughout the day. All three network news affiliates - WJBK-TV 2, WDIV-TV 4 and WXYZ-TV 7 - provided coverage during the day and the entire game, including the Telethon, was broadcast on Fox Sports Detroit. CBS Outdoor, Detroit Newspapers, Oakland Press, Metro Times and Real Detroit Weekly all donated space for ads promoting the Telethon.

Others contributing to the cause in special ways included several area businesses who raised funds for the Telethon by hosting Corporate Jeans Days. Student fundraising initiatives took place in 62 school classrooms throughout the state in a special service learning philanthropy program run by the LEAGUE Michigan. Mark Ridley donated his Comedy Castle for a “Night of Laughs” and six area comedians donated their services to benefit the charity.

In its second year, the Pistons Care Telethon has raised nearly one million dollars for charity, including $480,000 in 2008 which benefited Make-A-Wish. For more information on the Pistons Care Telethon, please contact Director of Community Relations Dennis Sampier at (248) 371-2034 or visit Pistons.com. Would your 501(c)(3) non-profit agency like to participate in a Piston Cares food and personal care product distribution but your organization is not yet a Feed The Children partner agency? Please contact Feed The Children’s Agency Development department if your agency has a 501(c)(3) federal tax designation, or if your church has Articles of Incorporation and your organization feeds or supplies food on a on-going basis to children and families in the greatest need. Restrictions do apply and application will have to be made. Contact: Feed The Children, Agency Development, Shannan Callies email shannan.callies@feedthechildren.org or 1-800-627-4556 ext. 4239.

National City Corporation, one of the nation’s largest financial holding companies, is the presenting sponsor for the Detroit Pistons. For more information about National City, please visit www.nationalcity.com.