Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance wins The Detroit News' Holiday Cheer for Charity contest
Jakkar AimeryAn Ann Arbor ovarian cancer alliance won this year's grand prize in The Detroit News Holiday Cheer for Charity campaign, its business agent said.
The Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance won $20,000 in the campaign based on reader votes for five charities, according to Michigan.com. The nonprofit raised $12,750 in donations. Adding the prize from The Detroit News, the alliance will receive a total of $32,750.
The organization supports Michigan residents affected by ovarian cancer and funds research while raising awareness.
A $7,860 second-place prize went to A Kid Again, which provides community and long-term support to children with life-threatening conditions and their families. Founded in 1995, the group registered as a nonprofit in Ohio under the name Adventures for Wish Kids. In 2021, the group established a Michigan chapter and offered 72 adventures to kids across the state.
The Rhonda Walker Foundation, a five-year mentoring and leadership program for inner-city teenage girls, came in third place, raising $4,830. The group is named for WDIV (Channel 4) journalist Rhonda Walker, who has served as founder and president since 2004.
HAVEN, in fourth place, raised $410. The Oakland County nonprofit provides support services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Living Arts Detroit raised $200. The organization provides performing, visual and media arts to children in southwest Detroit.
Readers cast more than 8,000 votes with 14 charities to choose from in the competition, which ended Monday.
Last year, the Cheer for Charity campaign collected more than 6,000 votes by readers in the first round and raised more than $68,166 by the end of round two, which crowned St. Clair Shores nonprofit 4 Paws 1 Heart the winner.
In 2021, more than $115,000 was raised in the competition. Detroit PAL, an organization dedicated to connecting the Detroit Police Department with the city's youth for academic, athletic, and leadership development programming, won the $20,000 prize after raising more than $73,000.
jaimery@detroitnews.com