Detroit Pistons Team Up with Make-A-Wish Foundation
Telethon Raises $500,000 for Wish Kids
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Michigan found some very big friends in the Detroit Pistons this spring. The NBA team rallied players, fans, staff and corporate partners in a 17-hour telethon event March 14 and raised $500,000 – enough to grant the wishes of more than 60 children with life-threatening medical conditions.
The Pistons franchise wanted to celebrate its 50 seasons in the Detroit area by raising funds to grant wishes for kids in Michigan, a state where the economy is especially harsh and charitable giving is down. Pistons executives along with Palace Sports & Entertainment hosted the Pistons Cares Telethon Benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation – Michigan Chapter. It was the first event of its kind in Detroit sports history, and the team devoted an entire day, including the broadcast of its March 14 game against the reigning NBA champion San Antonio Spurs, to raising funds for wishes.
Palace Sports & Entertainment staff manned the phones during the 17-hour telethon.
“It never ceases to amaze me how our community – and I’m speaking to the Pistons community of fans, partners, our staff – comes together to support a cause,” said Tom Wilson, president and CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment. “These are some very special kids, and they are going through things no one should ever have to go through. It was remarkable to see how everyone came together for these kids, and to think that we will be able to grant some of their wishes and make their lives a bit brighter is truly inspiring. Across the board, we were humbled by their courage and honored that we were given an opportunity to make a difference.”
The Pistons accepted donations online at www.pistons.com, over the phone at 1-877- DPCWISH and in the arena throughout the day (and night) of the game. Palace Sports & Entertainment staff answered telethon calls, in-arena auction proceeds from autographed memorabilia were donated, and Pistons merchandise stores in the arena donated a percentage of their revenues. Pistons corporate partners made donations, and local media outlets covered the telethon all day, interviewing wish kids and families. Sixteen-year-old wish kid Ashley sang the national anthem at the March 14 game.
Wish kid Ashley performed the national anthem before the March 14 game.
“We are so thrilled with the wonderful success of the Pistons Cares Telethon,” said Michigan chapter president Susan Lerch. “It really is a dream come true for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan. Wish kids and their loved ones face the devastation of a life-threatening medical condition, and to know the Pistons organization cares this much about bringing hope and joy to Michigan wish kids is an incredible gift. We are so grateful to everyone that was involved with this unprecedented, joyful event.”
Among the 60 wish kids who will benefit from the telethon are: 18-year-old best friends Josef and Jonathan, who wished to visit Hawaii with their families; Spencer, 12, who wished for his basement to be transformed into a “man cave”; Bruce, 10, who wished for a bicycle; and Suzie, 5, who wished to go to Walt Disney World® Resort.
In addition to the Pistons Cares Telethon Benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation – Michigan Chapter, the Pistons franchise and players have granted the wishes of several wish kids who wished to meet them.
Watch videos of some of the courageous kids whose wishes will come true, thanks to the Pistons Cares Telethon Benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation – Michigan Chapter.
The telethon raised enough funds to grant more than 50 wishes, including that of 10-year-old Bruce.
© 2006 Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America