(WWJ) It's been an absolutely frigid couple of weeks in Metro Detroit — and while many of us may not think twice about cranking up the thermostat, that's not an option for some.
Today is the annual WWJ Winter Survival Radiothon for THAW, the Heat and Warmth Fund. The number to call is: 888-579-4950.
From 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2026, we're raising money to pay utility bills for low-income and vulnerable Michigan residents by taking pledges from callers during the 13-hour day.
Join us in this effort by calling the donation line at 888-579-4950, or make a secure ONLINE DONATION AT THIS LINK.
More than 70% of Michigan families served by THAW have a child, senior, or veteran in the household. Last year, THAW helped more than 11,000 thousand families.
Any donation will help.
Specifically: $100 would provide a family with a furnace tune up, provide five families programmable thermostats or pay for energy saving kits to five families-and each kit saves families an average of $340 a year.
A $250 donation pays a water bill for three families, or pays for attic and ceiling insulation, provides energy efficiency education and energy saving kits to 15 families
A $500 donation can keep one family warm during this cold winter season, or allow for the installation of a hot water heater in a home with children, it coud also provide 25 programmable thermostats to help families reduce their energy costs, or pay for comprehensive plumbing repairs at a home.
A $1,000 donation would pay for a new refrigerator, ten furnace tune-ups for low-income seniors, the installation of a hot water heater in two homes with school-aged children or plumbing repairs to two low-income homes.
And $2,500 could get a home a new furnace, comprehensive plumbing repairs to five homes or the installation of hot water heaters in five homes with a senior citizen.
How does THAW help people in need? As the winter months set in and the days get colder, many of us turn up the heat and cozy in on chilly nights. Sadly, thousands of families in Southeastern Michigan are faced with tough decisions when the weather gets cold. Oftentimes 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.
To assist local residents who are facing tough times, the funds raised by our listeners during the Radiothon directly benefit THAW agencies that provide low-income and vulnerable Michigan residents with payment assistance for heating and electricity bills. For many, this means keeping families safe and the heat on during frigid winter months.
THAW helps 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.
For more about THAW and what they do, visit thawfund.org. Need help with your heating bill? Visit this link.