Doing Our Part with Emergency Funds to Help COVID-19 Impact

March 27, 2020

How SAY Detroit and founder Mitch Albom are aiding coronavirus impact and recovery efforts.

In response to the impact that the COVID-19 outbreak is having on the greater Detroit community, SAY Detroit is donating $55,000 from funds raised at last year’s Radiothon to assist community-based organizations with deploying resources to first-responders, families and individuals most affected by this crisis.

“Our mission at SAY Detroit has always been to ‘give a hand up in times of need.’ Well, this is our greatest time of need. We hope these efforts will make a small dent immediately, and inspire organizations to give in whatever way they can to those on the front lines of this pandemic.”

Mitch Albom, Founder of SAY Detroit

SAY Detroit will immediately make the following donations of:

$30,000 to the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries

To address crucial needs at its new Woodard Avenue facility housing quarantined clients and to fund food programs that have been stretched to the limit by an overflow of new homeless clients seeking aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.

$20,000 to Detroit Area Agency on Aging

To cover the costs of feeding 2,000 seniors and adults living with disabilities for the next two weeks. The DAAA is committed to improving the quality of life for those in its region who face more challenges with fewer resources.

$5,000 to the Hospital Mask Task Force

To purchase materials to make more than 1,100 face protectors being distributed free to health-care workers, first responders, home-care providers, and other agencies across the state. The Hospital Mask Task Force, a grassroots organization served by over 70 volunteer sewers, has received order requests for over 10,000 masks.

“These contributions will help some of our neediest right now. Clearly more needs to be done and SAY Detroit will continue doing all it can. We have also pledged to continue paying our full-time staff at the SAY Play Center at Lipke Park and our SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic, so their families don’t suffer hardships during this difficult time.”

Mitch Albom

Throughout the crisis, SAY Detroit remains dedicated to the services it provides to the low-income and vulnerable populations it serves via its own programming, including the SAY Play Center, the SAY Clinic and Working Homes/Working Families.