Cumulus Detroit’s 760 WJR Joins The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit to Raise More Than $1.74 Million to Help the Area’s Hungry and Homeless Through 35th Annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon

DETROIT, MI, February 28, 2022 — Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) announces that its Detroit News/Talk station 760 WJR raised more than $1.74 Million to help The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit combat hunger and homelessness in Metro Detroit through the 35th Annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon. The 27-hour radio fundraiser aired on 760 WJR on Thursday, February 24th and Friday, February 25th and featured on-air personalities Paul W. Smith, Sean Baligian, Kevin Dietz, Lloyd Jackson, Chris Renwick, Mitch Albom, Ken Brown, Steve Courtney, Kevin O’Neill and Guy Gordon broadcasting from The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Divisional Headquarters in Southfield, MI.

The radiothon also featured appearances from special guests including The Salvation Army Commissioner Brad Bailey, Salvation Army Metro Detroit and National Advisory Board member Jim Vella, and Bed & Bread Club founder and Detroit Radio Hall of Famer Dick Purtan, who encouraged the community to donate and help those who are hungry and homeless in metro Detroit. Michigan natives Tim Allen, Nicole Curtis, J.K. Simmons and Herman Moore also joined business and civic leaders to show their support of The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit. Among the many generous contributions are:

  • Artichoke Garlic Foundation – $75,000
  • BullsEye Telecom – provided in-kind services
  • Dick & Gail Purtan Family Foundation – $50,000
  • Dick Genthe Chevrolet – $14,035
  • Edsel B. Ford II – $35,000
  • Ford Motor Company Fund – $250,000
  • Jim Vella and the Vella Family – $12,000
  • Meridian – $55,000
  • Pat Moran Chevrolet – $35,000
  • Pat Milliken Ford – $10,000
  • The Salvation Army Metro Detroit Advisory Board – $52,240
  • Tim Allen Foundation – $25,000
  • Toyota Motor North America – $15,000
  • Vibe Credit Union – $15,000

“Partnering with The Salvation Army as the Radiothon host has been an honorable cause these last 12 years,” said Steve Finateri, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Detroit. “It’s truly the support from our generous audience that makes this partnership so successful in the fight against hunger and homelessness in Metro Detroit.”

Lt. Col. John Turner, divisional commander and regional CEO for The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division, commented: “It’s the generosity from our donors that makes it possible for The Salvation Army to serve those in need at such a large scale. We are so lucky to have a partner like 760 WJR and generous contributors that make the services we provide the community possible. All the funds raised through the 35th annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon will allow us to continue providing food, shelter and hope in His name.”

Those who may have missed the chance to donate to the Radiothon can support the program through an online auction at www.RadiothonAuction.org. Individuals can bid on unique experiential auction items now through 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28:

  • A Tigers Game with J.K. Simmons (Value: Priceless)
    • Highest bidder will attend a Detroit Tigers game with J.K. the next time he’s in Detroit
    • Bidding starts at $150
  • A Night at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle (Value: $800)
    • You and 49 of your closest friends will attend a Thursday night of comedy
    • Bidding starts at $350
  • Pistons vs. Clippers tickets (Value: $200)
    • Pair of tickets (2) for March 13 game
    • Bidding starts at $100
  • Signed Red Wings’ Pavel Datsyuk jersey and assorted signed pucks package (Value: $1,000)
    • Bidding starts at $350
  • Tigers vs. White Sox tickets (Value: $100)
    • Pair of tickets (2) for April 22 game
    • Bidding starts at $50
  • Cooking class with The Salvation Army’s Chef Michael Block (Value: $50)
    • Bidding starts at $50
  • Russel Brothers City Tour (Value: $900)
    • Bidding starts at $300
    • Interactive Detroit city tour
  • 30-minute Meet & Greet/House Consultation from HGTV’s Nicole Curtis (Value: Priceless)
    • Bidding starts at $100
    • Home design advice from HGTV’s home rehabber
  • Buddy’s Pizza for a Year (Value $250)
    • Bidding starts at $100
    • One 8-square, two-topping pizza a month for 12 months
  • Huron Belle Cruise (Value: $1,000)
    • Bidding starts at $300
    • Four tickets for a cruise on Lake Huron
  • Autographed photo of Ted Lindsay and Steve Yzerman (Value: $250)
    • Bidding starts at $75

Supporters can also make a monetary contribution to the Radiothon by:

  • Visiting salmich.org
  • Calling 833-SAL-HOPE
  • Texting BREAD to 24365

The Salvation Army’s Bed & Bread Club Radiothon has raised more than $41.3 million in 35 years.

About The Salvation Army Bed & Bread Program

The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s Bed & Bread program serves more nearly 4,400 meals each day to men, women and children who would otherwise go without. That’s nearly 1.6 million meals every year. In addition, the Bed & Bread program provides more than 77,000 nights of shelter annually.

The Bed & Bread program is unique in that it serves many people via mobile soup kitchens. The Bed & Bread trucks are on the streets of Detroit 365 days a year making designated stops throughout the day.

About Cumulus Media

Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) is an audio-first media company delivering premium content to over a quarter billion people every month — wherever and whenever they want it. Cumulus Media engages listeners with high-quality local programming through 406 owned-and-operated radio stations across 85 markets; delivers nationally-syndicated sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming from iconic brands including the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, CNN, the AP, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and many other world-class partners across more than 9,400 affiliated stations through Westwood One, the largest audio network in America; and inspires listeners through the Cumulus Podcast Network, its rapidly growing network of original podcasts that are smart, entertaining and thought-provoking. Cumulus Media provides advertisers with personal connections, local impact and national reach through broadcast and on-demand digital, mobile, social, and voice-activated platforms, as well as integrated digital marketing services, powerful influencers, full-service audio solutions, industry-leading research and insights, and live event experiences. Cumulus Media is the only audio media company to provide marketers with local and national advertising performance guarantees. For more information visit www.cumulusmedia.com.

Contact:

Lisa Dollinger, Dollinger Strategic Communication for Cumulus Media, 512.633.4084, lisa@dollcomm.com.