The Salvation Army USA Honors Dick Purtan With Its Most Prestigious Award
The National Salvation Army has honored Detroit Radio Personality Dick Purtan, host of Oldies 104.3 WOMC’s morning show, Dick Purtan and Purtan’s People, with the Evangeline Booth Award. The award is the organization’s highest honor and Purtan was recognized in April for Excellence in Radio Broadcasting at their recent National Advisory Organizations Conference (NAOC) in Dallas.
Purtan has hosted the Annual Dick Purtan Radiothon for 20 consecutive years, raising more than $16.4 million dollars for The Salvation Army’s Bed and Bread Club Program. The Bed and Bread program brings food, shelter and services to countless people within the community. The program shelters 2,100 every night and serves over 12,300 meals each day to men, women and children in need.
“Dick’s commitment to helping others in need embodies the spirit of the Evangeline Booth Award,” said Major Norman Marshall, divisional commander for The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division. “He serves as a role model for all of us to do the most good. The Salvation Army could not make the impact it does without his generous support.”
Founded by William Booth in London, England in 1865, The Salvation Army is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to serving people in need without discrimination. The Evangeline Booth award is named for William Booth’s wife. At work in Michigan since 1887, The Salvation Army operates 180 facilities throughout the state. Annually, these facilities provide more than 7.5 million meals and 1.2 million nights of shelter for the homeless.
