Arts, Beats, & Eats Gives Record Amount to Local Charities
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Oct. 17, 2025)
Royal Oak, MI – For 28 years Arts, Beats, & Eats has been bringing people together to celebrate culture and community, drawing over 300,000 visitors to Downtown Royal Oak this year. While the festival is a widely recognized, huge event, what many may not realize is that it also raises money for local charities.
On Tuesday representatives from over 30 organizations gathered at the Flagstar Bank’s regional headquarters in Troy to celebrate the success of the event and collect their checks. Over $400,000 was donated this year – a record for the event!
Organizer Jon Witz recognized several sponsors, including Michigan Lottery, Flagstar Bank, and Kroger, telling the packed room that “These results were made possible by the collective energy of our community, from the patrons who attended, to our partners, nonprofits, volunteers and guests who continue to make this event so impactful.”
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter and County Commission Chairperson Dave Woodward were on hand to help with presenting checks, giving special attention to two charities that matter deeply to them. Coulter recognized the FernCare Free Clinic, which provides free healthcare to uninsured patients. And Woodward touted the work being done by Transportation Riders United, which advocates for public transit across the region.
Other recipients included:
- Children’s Center of Wayne Co.
- Children’s Miracle Network
- COTS
- Detroit Public Theatre
- Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
- Dutton Farm
- Forgotten Harvest
- Lighthouse MI
- Metro Detroit Youth Clubs
- Stagecrafters
- The Rainbow Connection
- Volunteers of America Michigan
- Almost Home Animal Rescue
- American Legion Post 253 Frank Wendland Post
- Berkley Bears Football Boosters
- BuildOn International Academy
- Clawson Athletic Boosters
- Clawson Chamber of Commerce
- Daniziah T Crawford Foundation
- Detroit Roller Derby
- Ferndale Schools Fine Arts Boosters
- Griffins High School Hockey Boosters Inc.
- Muscular Dystrophy Association
- Ray & Phyllis Foundation
- ReLeaf Michigan, Inc.
- ROHS Model UN
- Royal Oak Football Team, Inc.
- Royal Oak High School Cheer
- Royal Oak High School PTSA-SANP
- St. Paul Lutheran Church and School
- Team Happy Feet
- ArtLabJ
- Detroit School of Rock & Pop / Live The Music Foundation
- Michigan Science Center
- Michigan Taiwanese American Organization
- Mosaic Youth Theatre
- Motor City Street Dance Academy
- Motown Museum
- Donations to Open Hands Pantry
- ABE on 5th-Royal Oak Civic Foundation Event
- American Cancer Society
- American Legion Post 253 Frank Wendland Post
- Autism Alliance
- BHW Foundation
- Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
- Fern Care
- Gilda’s Club
- Judson Center
- Lighthouse MI
- Make A Wish
- Metro Detroit Youth Clubs (Royal Oak Campus)
- Metro Detroit Youth Clubs (Holiday Baskets)
- Motown Historical Museum
- Oakland Schools PTA
- Outreach on 7th
- Royal Oak Athletic Boosters
- Royal Oak Civic Foundation
- Royal Oak Fire Department Charities
- Royal Oak First United Methodist Church
- Royal Oak High School Titans Football
- Royal Oak Historical Society
- Royal Oak Local 431
- Royal Oak Peer to Peer Programs
- Royal Oak Schools
- Royal Oak Schools Athletic Boosters
- Royal Oak Symphony
- Royal Oak Woman’s Club
- Royal Oak Youth Assistance
- Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Youth Council
- South Oakland Citizens for the Homeless
- Stagecrafters
- Sunflowers Christian Preschool
- Take One
- Tiger Lily
- Transportation Riders United
- United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Local musician Maggie McCabe also joined in the celebration, playing music for the announcements.
Learn more about this annual Labor Day Weekend tradition at https://artsbeatseats.com/
