The “Go For It” campaign demonstrated its potential by catalyzing meaningful change through community-based initiatives that spanned various aspects of social needs. Throughout the year, twelve organizations in the Detroit area were carefully chosen to receive support and resources. From novel approaches in hands-on education to providing crucial life essentials, the campaign managed to inspire widespread participation and generous donations from local residents.
Among the notable initiatives, a partnership aimed at providing essential necessities like towels, blankets, and socks to homeless individuals in Detroit exemplified the power of community involvement. The drive shattered expectations, collecting over $155,000 and thousands of essential items. Recipients like Kay Lawrence, a homeless mother, and Brandon Anderson, who lives in an abandoned house, voiced their gratitude, highlighting how something as simple as a towel and a shower could restore dignity and make them feel renewed.
Another powerful effort targeted domestic violence survivors at Haven in Pontiac. Through substantial contributions led by inspiring stories like that of Deji Hill, a domestic violence survivor, over $16,000 was raised, alongside essential items needed by those fleeing violent situations. This generosity continued to illuminate the fact that community solidarity could provide a lifeline to those in dire need of safety and basic resources.
Finally, the campaign also fueled educational growth by collecting over 9,500 books for children through partnerships with organizations like Teach for America and Chapter One. These books fostered literacy among young students across Metro Detroit, crucially contributing to their educational development and opening doors to opportunities previously unavailable. The collective community effort, symbolized by events like shoe drives and blanket-making parties, underscored a profound truth: when individuals unite for a common good, lives are materially changed.
