Red Cross, DTE Energy and 94.7 WCSX Looking for 1,200 volunteers to 'Warm a Heart, Warm a Home'

Red Cross, DTE Energy and 94.7 WCSX Looking for 1,200 volunteers to 'Warm a Heart, Warm a Home'

DETROIT, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross, DTE Energy and 94.7 WCSX The Classic Rock Station have joined forces to sign up 1,200 volunteers to donate blood during a three-day drive Dec. 30 and Dec. 31, 2009 and Jan. 2, 2010. Participants who come to give blood during the "Warm a Heart, Warm a Home" drive will not only help save lives, they'll also receive a $25 energy credit from DTE Energy, which they can use toward their utility bill or donate to The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) to help those in need.

The drive's goal is to help the Red Cross keep community blood supplies sufficient during a challenging time.

"We need 900 donors every day in order to keep an adequate blood supply for the 43 area hospitals we serve," said Diane Ward, CEO of American Red Cross Southeastern Michigan Blood Services Region. "Typically, it is much harder to collect what we need during holiday weekends, especially during unpredictable winter weather. We are proud to have DTE Energy and 94.7 WCSX as our partners for this end-of-the-year event. "

To contribute, volunteers need to visit wcsx.com for details about how to schedule a donation and for further information about participating donor centers throughout Southeastern Michigan.

"Once again, WCSX is very proud to partner with the American Red Cross and be joined by DTE Energy to help bring awareness to this incredible life-saving cause," said Doug Podell, the director of rock programming for Greater Media Detroit. "Our Classic Rock audience has demonstrated that they are ready, willing and able to donate and WCSX will once again go to work to achieve that goal."

THAW is a nonprofit organization that provides energy assistance to low-income families. Since its founding in 1986, THAW has helped more than 124,000 Michigan households, including elderly, unemployed, underemployed and disabled individuals who have found themselves in temporary crisis.

"THAW and the American Red Cross provide critical services to our community and deserve everyone's support. That's why we're hoping the Warm a Heart, Warm a Home drive will have a great turnout," said Jerry Norica, president and chief operating officer of DTE Energy subsidiary MichCon. "With one gift, you can help so many people. I can't think of a better way to kick off the New Year."

Source: DTE Energy

CONTACT: Bridget Tuohey, American Red Cross, +1-313-576-4184; Mary Helen
Ciaravino, WCSX, +1-248-586-2960; Eileen Dixon, DTE Energy, +1-313-235-5555

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