Volunteers, including these ladies from DTE Energy, spent all day manning the phones to take donations in WWJ's 20th Winter Survival Radiothon for THAW. Photo credit WWJ Newsradio 950

On February 3, WWJ-AM (Detroit) held its 20th Annual Winter Survival Radiothon to benefit THAW, The Heat and Warmth Fund.  This year the effort raised $347,660 to bring warmth for Michigan families in need.

"Today, we are raising money for THAW, the Heat and Warmth Fund," WWJ Newsradio 950 news director Rob Davidek said. "It's the 20th annual WWJ Winter Survival Radiothon for THAW. We've been doing it 20 years, raising money, really for kids, for families, for seniors. THAW is a great organization. They've been around for 38 years."

THAW assists families in need by preventing utility shut-offs, providing fuel or restoring services. They also help seniors on a fixed income and others who are struggling replace a broken furnace or other essential appliance. You can feel good about giving, because over 90% of all money raised by THAW goes directly to those in need, and THAW’s utility partners match every dollar that THAW raises so that $1 becomes $2 in energy assistance.

The 14-hour event featured an online auction, hourly incentives and generous listeners calling in to make those donations.