Pistons owner offers $1 million match in Flint water crisis telethon effort | MLive.com Pistons owner offers $1 million match in Flint water crisis telethon effort
FLINT, MI — Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores has pledged to match up to $1 million in donations during a telethon to raise money towards Flint water crisis relief.
Gores made the announcement Thursday, March 10, days ahead of the “Flint Water Crisis: 4 Our Families” by WDIV-TV, running from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. on March.
The broadcast is also set to air on WILX-TV, WOOD-TV, WEYI-TV, and 9&10 in Northern Michigan.
Proceeds raised during the telethon will be donated to the Flint Child Health & Development Fund established at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint to provide ongoing and long-term care for children in the community.
“What’s happened in Flint is wrong, but there are things we can do to turn it around,” said Gores in a statement. “Children and families affected by this crisis need our help and we can make the biggest impact for them by working together.
Gores, who started the FlintNOW organization to garner aid from private sector support to aid in the water crisis, previously donated a total of $1 million to the Flint Child Health & 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.
“We are partnering with likeminded organizations that take a long view and people who are committed to making a lasting difference for the people of Flint,” said Gores, who previously pledged $10 million to water crisis relief.
Marla Drutz, vice president and general manager of WDIV-TV, said “Thanks to this partnership with Tom Gores and FlintNOW, on March 15 people that want to help the children of Flint will have an opportunity to double the impact of every dollar they give to the Flint Child Health & Development Fund.
“When viewers make that donation, they can rest assured that their gift will go directly to providing critical interventions for Flint youth,” she said.
Art Van Furniture has also pledged up to $100,000 towards the telethon.
“Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all at Art Van Furniture for their generous donation and assistance in organizing and staffing this Telethon,” said Kathi Horton, president of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.
