The weather gurus are predicting we’ll have warm winter. That’s terrific. But if it does happen (we’ll see … after all this is Michigan) we still won’t have summer weather and there will be plenty of people struggling to pay their bill and keep their heat on.
That’s where The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) comes in. For 30 years it has been helping those less fortunate stay warm in the winter.
There are several ways you can help and have fun at the same time. Here’s how.
Hallelujah for Heat
Go to the Hallelujah for Heat concert on November 7. That concert is aptly named … “praise be” for heat. It’s at the Fellowship Chapel at 7701 W. Outer Dr. in Detroit and features the award-winning gospel artist Carlos Whitlow and Generation Praise. Mildred Gaddis is hosting and there will also be music by the Fellowship Chapel Choir, saxophonist Randy Scott and recording artist Peggy James.
The night will include a VIP reception, award ceremony and local musical entertainment.
Doors open at 6:00 pm. The awards ceremony and entertainment run from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. The event is sponsored by DTE Energy and benefits THAW. For ticket information please call Toni Gowdy at 248-737-4444 at the office or on her cell at 313-980-3311.
You’ll join Detroit‘s faith-based leaders, key neighborhood groups and members of the local community at the event.
Haunting At The Whitney
If you’re a foodie and/or love the paranormal here’s an event for you … Haunting at the Whitney on Thursday, October 29.
You’ll get a four-course meal, some drinks and a supernatural adventure at the historic Whitney Restaurant, which many say is haunted. Ghosts have been seen throughout the mansion.
It seems both David Whitney Jr. and his wife Sara died inside the house, which might account for the ghostly occurrences reported by past guests and staff. Reports of supernatural activity started when the house was restored in the mid-1980s.
On Halloween it’s not uncommon for groups to hold a séance in the basement. In one case, those attending swear a child named Sophie spoke to the group through the medium. Who’s Sophie? No one knows for sure.
You’ll get a close-up look during the tour of the carriage house, where many have heard voices and music, as well as the very scary basement and the Canfield House, which is behind The Whitney.
Ghosts have been seen on the second floor of The Whitney. Check out the ghost in on the left near the doorway.
There is also an historic tour of the mansion and a Haunting of Broadway concert on the second floor.
If that’s not enough, you will be entertained by Frango the Magic Clown … a favorite of many who have attended the annual Haunted Halloween Paranormal Adventure.
Tickets are $150 per person with $50 of the ticket price donated to WWJ Newsradio 950’s 13th Annual Winter Survival Radiothon to benefit THAW taking place live on-air on February 12, 2016.
“We are happy to help THAW generate money,” said David Duey, director of operations at The Whitney. “(We want to help make sure) people don’t have to choose between food and keeping their heat on.”
Here’s the schedule:
- 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Cocktail Hour (cocktails will be available for purchase at this time)
- 6:30 p.m. Welcome & Four Course Dinner with Selected Spirits (selected spirits will be available and included in the ticket price)
- 8:00 p.m. Paranormal Adventure
- 10:00 p.m. Desert and Cocktail Hour (cocktails will be available for purchase at this time)
Click here to purchase tickets.
If you can’t make the October 29 event, which benefits THAW, The Whitney also offers the same program on Angels Night (Friday, October 30) and Halloween.
Click here to purchase tickets for those days.
Remember, you can always donate to THAW.
Here is a list of THAW’s Week of Warmth activities:
- Warmth with Wings, Nov. 3: A partnership with the Detroit Red Wings to raise awareness
- Neighborhood Energy Efficiency Day, Nov. 7: Little Rock Baptist Church. Homes will be provided energy efficiency tools, materials and education
- WDIV Gift of Warmth Phone Bank, Nov. 9: A phone bank to raise funds for THAW/Week of Warmth
- Night of Warm Hearts, Nov. 13: Motor City Casino, THAW’s annual fundraising gala includes a VIP dinner, entertainment and live and silent auctions, which is followed by an 80s gala with dancing and live entertainment
- Customer Assistance Day events: Nov. 10 in Detroit, Nov. 11 in Detroit and Nov. 13 in River Rouge. Pre-registration is required. Call 1.877.633.3387 to register or check dteenergy.com for more details.