When catastrophe happens, Detroiters rise to the occasion. It was during one catastrophic event many will never forget—Hurricane Katrina—that one woman mobilized her family and the city of Detroit to go above and beyond the normal call of duty. The response was unimaginable. Detroit Has Heart, formerly Family2Family Michigan, will host its annual fundraising gala on January 25, 2020 at Andiamo Detroit Riverfront. This gala will help support families in overcoming the devastation of loss, the hopelessness of economic disparity, and the trauma of violence. Detroit Has Heart provides essentials, resources and training to Detroiters to put them back on their feet immediately.
Motivated by her father, Charlie Sanders, and his charitable efforts as a former Detroit Lions player and Hall-of-Famer, Charese Sailor and her family initiated the citywide response. They went into their own closets and pantries to meet the needs of people forced to move to Detroit after losing everything in Hurricane Katrina. They were shocked when a 60,000 square foot building was provided by Pomeroy & Associates. This was the start of The Emergency Relief Center, which opened in Southfield, Michigan, mobilizing the city to assist local families with clothes, shoes, food and furniture. Since 2005, Charese Sailor has been running faithfully with her father’s vision and their family’s mission.
“We are not just a non-profit that supports people in need in our community,” Sailor said. “We are a non-profit that supports other non-profits, serving as a greater resource for them and their clients.”
Detroit Has Heart is supported by many legendary sports figures. The honorary chairperson, Herman Moore, along with event chairperson Lomas Brown and Detroit Lions T.J. Hockenson, will support the 2020 Fundraising Gala. This formal event gives executives, politicians and engaged community leaders the opportunity to network, raise the funds needed for ongoing initiatives, and honor this year’s One Heart Award recipient – Eric Hipple, former Detroit Lions quarterback.
The organization’s 2020 target goal of $250,000 will be used to establish a new emergency relief center, expand financial literacy training for youth, mental health advocacy and emergency housing for those in crisis.
Ticket Information: General admission tickets to the gala are $200. VIP admission tickets are $300, which includes admission to the event and a VIP cocktail hour. For general admission or VIP tickets, please visit detroithasheart.org/tickets. For sponsorship opportunities, visit Detroit Has Heart online.
