DETROIT (Feb. 18, 2016) – Today, Meridian Winter Blast announced the results of a successful festival weekend, including a donation of $50,111 from its Sing, Skate and Slide campaign, in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. The 46 festival bands that performed along with the Winter Blast Foundation matched dollars, generated $3,500. Talmer Bank & Trust in partnership with the Winter Blast Foundation put forth $4,021 from a $1 per rider pledge of the Meridian Snow Slide, while general festival goers generously gave $2,590, for a total donation of $10,111. Those funds, along with a $40,000 pledge from Meridian Health Plan, resulted in more than $50,000 raised in support of the Flint Child Health & Development Fund, dedicated to assisting the children affected by the tainted water in the city of Flint.

 

“We are grateful for the donations raised at Meridian Winter Blast and for everyone who came to the festival and donated to the Flint Child Health & Development Fund,” said Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD MPH FAAP of Hurley Children’s Hospital/Michigan State University. “The donations are a great start to get the children in Flint the resources and interventions required to overcome their exposure to lead.”

 

Additionally, donations collected as part of the admissions fee from this year’s festival are being used to help the local Detroit community. Matrix Human Services in Detroit received $7,500 and collected nearly 13,500 pounds of food and books that will be distributed to those in need.

 

“We thank everyone who came out to this year’s Meridian Winter Blast and helped us make a tremendous impact on the lives of so many with their generosity,” said Brad Coulter, president and CEO of Matrix Human Services. “The donations we collected are going directly to local families in need and are certain to make a big impact on our community. As always, we are proud to be a long-time charity partner with Meridian Winter Blast and look forward to next year’s festival.”

 

Meridian Winter Blast is Detroit’s celebration of winter experiences, dining, music and family fun held in downtown Detroit’s Campus Martius Park from Friday, Feb. 12 through Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. Originally created as the backdrop for Super Bowl XL, in its 12th year, the festival attracted more than 75,000 people last year. For additional information, visit www.winterblast.com or call (248) 541-7550.