Albom is a longtime Detroit Free Press columnist, author, host of “The Mitch Albom Show” and philanthropist. He co-hosted the 13th annual radiothon with his WJR-AM (760) partner, Ken Brown, from Somerset Collection’s North Grand Court in Troy. The event successfully raised funds for SAY Detroit, the nonprofit Albom founded in 2006 to support Detroiters in need, and partner charities.

SAY Detroit’s available services include an after-school motivational learning center for youth ages 8-18, a free family medical clinic, a housing program for working families and other initiatives centered on education, health care and housing.

“This event went from a cute idea to a cornerstone of SAY Detroit’s fundraising. Over 13 years, it’s grown into a red letter day on the charity calendar, which we are so grateful for,” Albom said in a statement to the Free Press. “We are blessed to be able to help so many needy Detroiters through our programs and the partner charities we help support. Every year I’m blown away by the incredible generosity of the metro Detroit community.”

From 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., the day brought together many local and national familiar faces. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan attended the radiothon in person and praised the SAY Detroit Play Center, saying the nonprofit’s work at Lipke Park “anchored a whole community’s recovery.”

Other in-person stops were made by sports commentator Bernie Smilovitz, veteran broadcaster and SAY Detroit board member Carmen Harlan, former Detroit Lions player and current radio broadcaster Lomas Brown and more.

Many Detroiters who benefit from SAY Detroit services attended to share their experiences. Carla Fluker, a patient of the SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic for eight years, recounted suffering a stroke as she was nearing retirement. Her husband, panicking and unsure of what to do, called her SAY Detroit doctor, who advised him to take her to the hospital immediately. On air, Fluker thanked her doctor and said her quick response saved her life.

During the event this year, two Detroit families even received the keys to their new homes.

The Jackson family was living on the first floor of their former home when the second floor was ravaged by a fire.

“A fire, a workplace injury, a rental scam, job loss, a car accident — these are all real issues (SAY Detroit’s Working Homes/Working Families) program recipients have recently faced,” according to the nonprofit on X.

In the final 30 minutes of the radiothon, Detroit Pistons senior advisor Dwane Casey called on behalf of team owner Tom Gores and his wife Holly Gores to pledge a $350,000 donation, with $100,000 dedicated to mental health initiatives.

Hugh Jackman, Dan Campbell, Jared Goff, Dr. Phil and his wife Robin McGraw, Anderson Cooper, Tim Allen, J.K. Simmons, Alice Cooper, former Lions players Nate Burleson and Herman Moore and many others also joined Albom via Zoom throughout the day. Several of the callers contributed to the fundraiser — with Jackman donating $50,000, Allen donating $30,000, Paul Glantz of Emagine Entertainment donating $20,000, Hoda Kotb donating $15,000, Cooper donating $5,000 and Hank Azaria donating $5,000.

SAY Detroit’s previous 12 radiothons have raised more than $14 million in total, including $2,064,014 at last year’s event.

Some of the notable items on the 2024 auction list included an Amon-Ra St Brown signed Lions football, a Barry Sanders signed helmet, Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks concert tickets for four, Sebastian Maniscalco at Little Caesars Arena tickets and a signed Tigers jersey from Casey Mize.