A very popular country song entitled “Shutting Detroit Down” by John Rich is currently monopolizing the airwaves. The lyrics describe how everyone is concerned about Wall Street despite the fact that here in Detroit the blue-collar workers are losing their jobs while the “boss man takes his bonus pay and jets out of town“. In the meantime the working man’s “pension plan has been cut in half and he can’t afford to die”. A sad commentary on the cultural gap between white collar and blue-collar workers!

This past Friday though us blue collars in southeast Michigan demonstrated that we can’t be shut down! This year’s Dick Purtan WOMC Oldies 104.3 Salvation Army Radiothon received pledges totaling over $2.2 million dollars just a smidgeon short of last year’s $2.3 million. And even with an economy that is in the dumper, this was accomplished in sixteen hours, which is a staggering $138,000 per hour. Just like the Phoenix, residents of southeast Michigan, including out state and even contributors from as far away as Iraq and Australia, rose up and showed the world that we may be on life support but our hearts are still strong and vibrant!

During the Radiothon a precocious group of children from Ann Arbor entertained with a song that just may be our new theme song here in Michigan:”Hit Me With Your Best Shot”. Based on the generosity of Michiganders we have taken Wall Street’s best shot and we are still standing. And the commercials currently running on CBS stations in the area demonstrate that with the words - “Stand Up Detroit and Be Proud”. Everyone within listening voice of radio station WOMC and those tuning in on the Internet broadcast should be proud of their accomplishment.

In the song “The Winners” by Frank Sinatra from the movie “Maurie”, a particular verse is poignant and illustrates what Michiganders are all about:

Here’s to the winners -  lift up your glasses

                                Here’s to the glory still to be

                         Here’s to the battle, whatever it’s for

                        To ask the best of ourselves, then give much more

It’s been said that one should not give until it hurts but until it feels good. As such, there are thousands of contributors to the Bed and Bread Radiothon who today feel exceptionally good and as a result there are thousands of those less privileged in the Detroit area who will feel better knowing that The Salvation Army through the tremendous pledge drive will continue to provide shelter and food. We gave the best of ourselves and even more! And that’s worth standing up for! Notice to the world we can’t be shut down!

Bill Kalmar

Former Director of the Michigan Quality Council