10 Detroit charities to split $400K thanks to Mitch Albom’s radiothon

March 26--Ten Detroit charities for housing, nutrition, medical care and more got a nice boost Wednesday morning as nearly $400,000 was spread among them from Mitch Albom's Super All Year Detroit Radiothon.

The S.A.Y. Detroit Family Health Clinic received the largest check, $140,000, to support its efforts providing free medical care to homeless children and their mothers.

All donations raised during the December Radiothon went to the vetted, local charities. Any administrative costs for S.A.Y. Detroit are picked up by Albom, said Dr. Chad Audi with Detroit Rescue Mission.

It's the second time the event was hosted on WJR-AM Radio, and people from each of the charities received checks at the radio studios Wednesday morning in the Fisher Building.

People from them spoke of the impacts they'll have. Dr. Peggy Richardson of the health clinic said it's a great feeling to help sick people who can't afford an expensive trip to the emergency room.

"We have so many people that come in and tell us, 'I haven't been able to do this because I don't have insurance,' and I stop them right there," Dr. Peggy Richardson said. "And I say, 'We are thrilled to take care of your medical (needs).'"

Others receiving money include the Detroit Dream Scholars Fund helping underprivileged students pursue a fine-arts degree, and Working Homes/Working Families, which provides homes for working families who are struggling.

The Detroit Food and Entrepreneurship Academy help students launch food-related businesses, bringing healthy alternatives to junk food in local party stores.

"You can't have a thriving city when you don't have a healthy city," Albom said.

He said the success of the Radiothon has led to a third event this Dec. 4, again at Somerset Collection North in Troy.

Contact Robert Allen: rallen@freepress.com

___

(c)2014 the Detroit Free Press

Visit the Detroit Free Press at www.freep.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services