$56,000+ for The Haven of Rest at Roofsit 2017

The 11th Annual Roofsit partnership between Townsquare Media/95.3 WBCK and 104.9 The Edge and The Haven of Rest's homeless shelter for families brought in $56,103 by the end of the event.

The goal for the shelter, Inasmuch House, was set at $50,000.

The majority of the funds were collected all around Battle Creek by "Bucket Brigade" volunteers manning various locations with pails. Individual callers also phoned in to pledge during the event, as well as professionals from various industries who called to pledge, then challenge their colleagues and competitors to do the same.

Several significant pledges at key times helped to push past the goal, including an $800 donation from an anonymous donor, along with a $2400 donation from Holl Construction, $1000 from Vince Pavone of Lakeview Ford Lincoln and $500 from Gary Minneman of Sunshine Toyota in Battle Creek. Dan and Kelly Frever, owners of Mancino's Pizza and Grinders, pledged $500 personally, along with collections from buckets placed in the restaurant.

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In the final hours of the collection, FireKeepers Casino presented a $5000 matching donation, which was to be collected once another $5000 had been collected from other donors. The matching funds from donors topped the total at $41,000, then triggering the FireKeepers funds and bringing the total to $46,000.

95.3 WBCK's Heather McGregor and Richard Piet broadcast from Roofsit 2017.

By 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, bucket collections and some social media pledges surged the total to $56,103. More is likely to be added to that total, as the final tallies are counted from post-event and online donations are counted.

In recent years, Inasmuch House adapted to what was identified as a changing demographic in homeless populations: fewer singles and more families. The facility operates a 55-bed shelter all year, and aims to help folks return to self sufficiency in 60-90 days.

Inasmuch House/Haven of Rest staff working hard at Roofsit 2017. TSM WBCK

The event was held atop Mancino's Pizza and Grinders on West Columbia Avenue near Helmer in Battle Creek from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m Friday, June 23 and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 24.

The $50,000 goal accounts for about 25 percent of the overall annual budget for Inasmuch House, according to Haven of Rest officials.