AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons are announcing the Pistons 50/50 Payday charity raffle has raised $114,241 at the Pistons’ season half-way mark, helping support non-profits throughout the state of Michigan, as well as the organization’s Come Together Foundation in support of volunteerism, youth leadership and NBA Cares programming.
A special pregame, on-court check presentation is taking place at the Pistons-Bucks game at The Palace on Tuesday, Jan. 29 to recognize the 19 non-profits and 21 individual raffle winners.
Activated at every Pistons home game, Pistons 50/50 Payday gives one lucky fan a chance to win 50% of net raffle proceeds while the remaining net proceeds are shared by local charities and the Come Together Foundation. The Pistons became the first professional sports team or venue in the Detroit market to use a wireless 50-50 platform and only the second in the NBA. The Come Together Foundation partnered with Bump 50:50 to introduce the next generation in 50-50 raffles by using tablets and wireless technology with real-time running jackpots.
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure was the first non-profit partner in support of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month when the program launched the night of the Pistons home opener on Oct. 31. The first individual winner was longtime Pistons season ticket holder Jobie Patrick of Brighton, who received $2,565.
The American Red Cross deployed volunteers on Nov. 16 vs. the Orlando Magic & Nov. 18 vs. the Boston Celtics to raise money and awareness for Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts. The Come Together Foundation donated their portion of the two-night jackpot -- $11,775 – to the American Red Cross and Hurricane Sandy Relief.
In December, Toys For Tots was the 50/50 beneficiary and, with the help of Marines selling raffle tickets, raising $5,433, the fourth highest jackpot of the season. The largest single-night jackpot was $11,111, when the Pistons beat the Miami Heat Dec. 28, with a portion of those proceeds given to Shoot for a Cure of the Henry Ford Health System.
And in one of the more selfless stories of giving, long-time Pistons fan Jeff Sakwa, of West Bloomfield, donated his jackpot to Kids Without Cancer within Children’s Hospital of Michigan as part of the Detroit Medical Center, the designated non-profit when he won Dec. 21.
Other notable non-profits that have participated include Special Olympics, Kids Kicking Cancer, Matrix Human Services, American Diabetes Association, ALS Association and Mosaic Youth Theatre.
Non-profits can participate in Pistons 50/50 Payday by applying at www.pistons.com. Organizations with 501(c)(3) non-profit status are eligible, with special consideration to those whose missions are aligned with the Come Together Foundation and the NBA Cares platform.
About The Come Together Foundation
Re-launched in August 2012, The Come Together Foundation is a designated 501(c)(3) public charity. It was originally founded in 1989 as the Pistons-Palace Foundation, a private foundation. The mission aims to utilize the foundation as an effective tool to support overall Come Together vision and mission by strategically collaborating with community organizations to raise awareness and provide financial support in areas of volunteerism, youth leadership and those identified as NBA Cares sponsored programs.
About Bump 50:50
Bump 50:50 signifies the evolution of the 50-50 raffle and uses proprietary and secure, in-venue, mobile transactional software. Bump 50:50 is the new in-venue, easy to play fundraising effort providing fans the opportunity to win 50% of the amount raised during live sports and entertainment events, with the rest going to the event’s non-profit charity. The goal is to raise a maximum amount of money for non-profit charities during live sports and entertainment events, while adding extra fun and entertainment value for fans.