WWJ’s 19th Winter Survival Radiothon Raises Nearly $1M in Heating Assistance

WWJ’s Tony Ortiz delivers a thumbs-up to listeners for their contributions to the THAW Radiothon.

Audacy’s WWJ-AM (Detroit) has announced the results of its 19th Annual Winter Survival Radiothon for THAW, The Heat and Warmth Fund.  $986,256.00 was raised from station listeners. The day-long on-air event was held February 4 from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the station.

The THAW program helps those residents in southeastern Michigan who are faced with tough decisions as the weather gets cold. Families on tight budgets cannot afford to keep up with heating their homes or keeping the lights on. These financial strains cause residents to choose between feeding their families, paying for medications or keeping warm.

For the past two years — since the beginning of the pandemic — more Michiganders have been staying at home, which means increased utility usage and higher bills. It has become more urgent than in years past to provide heating assistance to families across the state who are in dire need of help to survive the winter.

To assist local residents who are facing tough times, the funds raised by WWJ’s listeners during the Radiothon directly benefit THAW agencies that provide low-income and vulnerable Michigan residents with payment assistance for heating and electricity bills. And, that means keeping families safe and the heat on during frigid winter months.