As Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” 

Look, I know I've beaten you over the head with this...but it's for good reason! 48 hours from now the 29th Annual Salvation Army Bed & Bread Radiothon will be in full swing... And today is a big day for me. First, I'll appear with my daughter JoAnne on Channel 7 Action News at Noon to talk about the Big Event. Next, I'll head over to the Salvation Army, jump on one of the Bed & Bread Trucks and hit the streets to serve a nourishing meal, along with hats, coats, mittens, & blankets to some of the almost 4200 men, women and children that the trucks serve every day, 365 days a year...not to mention sheltering over 500 people tonight, and every night. 

If there's ever been a day to remind you what it must be like to live on the streets, or in an abandoned building, just waiting for one of the Bed & Bread trucks to show up, it's today. Imagine having to huddle somewhere, trying to stay warm and avoid the ice-cold rain and snow - with hunger gnawing at your stomach and mind - awaiting the arrival of that truck and what may be the only meal you'll have that day. 

That is the reality for so many of our fellow Metro-Detroiters - including so many children! And that's why the Bed & Bread Program has been near and dear to my heart since we started the Radiothon 29 years ago. 

This year, Gail and I are donating $30,000 and we're asking you to help "Match" that amount and turn that $30,000 into $60,000. You don't have to wait until Friday... you can do it right now. Just pick up your smartphone, text PURTAN to 41444 and follow the prompts. A donation of $120 - that's just $10 a month - feeds 5 people for an entire month and gets you in the "Bed & Bread Club". And if you double that to $240 ($20/month) you'll feed 10 people for a month and you'll receive a special video about the Bed & Bread Program. It couldn't be easier and any amount you can give will be appreciated by Gail and me, the Salvation Army, and most importantly... the people you will be helping to feed and shelter through the Bed & Bread Program. 

The Radiothon itself takes place the day after tomorrow, Friday, February 26th from 6am to 10pm and will be broadcast live on WJR am 760. I will be hosting the 7pm to 10pm hours along with "Purtan's People". It's a great event for a great cause! I hope you'll tune it... but mostly I hope you'll donate - which you can do RIGHT NOW by texting PURTAN to 41444 on your smartphone and following the prompts. As I've said... it's fast, easy and any amount you can give will make a real difference in the lives of so many. 

Thanks for your support...and I'm headed out the door. See you on Channel 7 at noon - and then I'm off to ride on one of the Bed & Bread Trucks handing out food and warm clothing on this cold and snowy day! 

Stay warm, please donate and again, Thank You!  

All my best, 

-Dick