http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=443082

Detroit Rescue Mission Chief Executive Officer Chad Audi, Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom and Lions Senior Director of Community Affairs Tim Pendell.

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions have donated $10,000 to Detroit Rescue Mission as part of a post Super Bowl charitable concept to help the city’s homeless. The idea, which has been named S.A.Y. (Super All Year) Detroit, was started less than two weeks ago by Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom. Albom first came up with the concept of raising funds to help Detroit’s homeless because most were taken to temporary  shelters so they were off the streets for Super Bowl XL and people simply couldn’t accept the idea of putting them back on the streets after the Super Bowl had come and gone.

Albom spent a night last week at the Detroit Rescue Mission on Third Street in Detroit and listened to stories from those people staying at the shelter. He then used his column in the Free Press to help relay those stories to his readers and the people of Detroit as a drive to raise money to keep helping Detroit’s homeless. His initial goal was to raise $60,000 for S.A.Y. Detroit to keep the shelter open until spring.

As of Wednesday (Feb. 8) afternoon at a press conference held by Albom at Detroit Rescue Mission, it was announced that more than $310,000 has been raised for S.A.Y. Detroit.

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick addressed those in attendance of his concerns about the city’s homeless and to encourage people to continue to support this effort. Donations have come in from individuals who have donated $10 dollars to organizations such as the Lions, Pistons, Tigers and Red Wings who have made significant contributions.

People as far away as Seattle, Anchorage, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates and even from a soldier on a ship in the Middle East have rounded up funds to help Detroit stay “Super All Year”.

As part of the funds already raised for S.A.Y. Detroit, a following is a list of organizations that will benefit:
 The Detroit Rescue Mission will get everything needed to operate until spring, which includes funding to stay open 24 hours, a mental health worker, 30-more beds and a 24-hour van for pickups.
 The Capuchin Soup Kitchen will receive enough money to buy milk for those in need for the rest of the year.
 COTS, Coalition on Temporary Shelter, will receive enough funds to help construct a licensed day care center for infants, so their homeless mothers can search for work or seek treatment.
 Cass Community Social Services will get 150 new mattresses for its shelters.

If you would like to help S.A.Y. Detroit: