Bedrock Detroit, the real estate arm for the Rock Family of Cos., working in conjunction with various property owners, will light up buildings in the central business district red, white, and blue starting tonight, April 3, at nightfall.
The illumination honors essential workers who are working through the COVID-19 epidemic, including health care professionals, first responders, public safety officials, logistics firms, grocers, and other vital businesses and organizations.
Bedrock officials invite all homes and businesses to join in showing support by turning a light outside their home to red or blue. Or alternatively, by lighting their homes in any way they can through candles, Christmas lights, or shining flashlights.
The downtown lighting initiative will take place each night at nightfall and continue until the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order has been lifted.
The program, which is complemented by showing messages of gratitude on respective billboards and other signage, includes the TCF Center, Ford Field, Ernst & Young, and 150 West Jefferson.
Other participating properties include The Ally Detroit Center, One Woodward Building, One Campus Martius, The Z Lot, David Stott, Federal Reserve Building, One Kennedy Square, 150 West Jefferson, and CN Tower at the Penobscot Building.
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Detroit’s Rocket Mortgage and the Rock Family of Cos. have announced a partnership with private and public organizations to source materials needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The materials will be used in Detroit.
“As Detroit’s largest employer, we recognize our critical role in serving the members of our community,” says Jay Farner, CEO of Rocket Mortgage and Quicken Loans. “This is a time for the public and private sectors to come together for a common goal, and we encourage the entire business community to use everything at their disposal to support our essential frontline workers who are working tirelessly to reduce the spread of coronavirus.”
Partnerships are being established with companies for the manufacturing and distribution equipment for local hospitals, governments, and health professionals.
“The Rocket Mortgage and Rock Family of Cos. continues to step up to the plate as a partner for the city and its residents,” says Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “The city is grateful for Dan Gilbert and his team’s effort in helping not only our health care professionals, but all of those workers in the city that are essential in allowing families to stay safe in their homes.”
Manufacturing
The Quicken Loans Community Fund is partnering with Detroit’s Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center and Dearborn’s Carhartt to purchase a mask production line-machine that will eventually produce more than 500,000 masks per week. ISAIS will also produce gowns and other personal protection equipment. The fund is purchasing the line machine, the only one of its kind in the region, and ISAIC will train and operate the production in a facility provided in-kind by Carhartt.
Supply Procurement and Logistical Support
Rocket Mortgage and the Rock Family of Cos. are sourcing 100,000 N95 masks to provide to local hospitals and health care providers. Xenith, a Detroit-based football helmet and equipment manufacturer, is leveraging existing international supplier relationships to source face shields for local hospitals.
Rocket Mortgage and the Rock Family of Cos. are also expediting sourcing for supplies for local hospitals by contracting with private and/or cargo aircraft for immediate delivery of personal protection equipment, ventilators, and dialysis machines. The Quicken Loans procurement team is vetting CDC and FDA-approved suppliers for area hospitals to ensure product quality and fair pricing.
Team Member and Technology Support
The Rock Family of Cos. is offering immediate and extended use of team members and technological infrastructure to aid in the supply chain, scaling, supplier vetting, and any additional needs.
Thank You Effort for Critical Workers Throughout Detroit
The campaign will use existing contracts for billboards and additional signage to highlight health care workers, service providers, and workers who make it possible to flatten the curve. The Rock Family of Cos. will also provide food delivery to area hospitals and other locations.
Bedrock, the Rock Family of Cos.’s real estate arm, will also illuminate its portfolio in red, white, and blue as a beacon of hope and to show support of Detroit’s essential workers.
“We continue to be overwhelmed by the support and generosity from our community,” says Bob Riney, president of health care operations and COO of Henry Ford Health System. “Having strong community partners like the Rock Family of Cos. will only strengthen our resolve to protect our frontline workers as we fight this pandemic.”
Previously, the Quicken Loans Community Fund and Gilbert Family Foundation announced a $1.2 million donation to address the impact of the virus in Detroit. Bedrock offered up to three months of rent forgiveness for restaurants and small business tenants so they can continue to meet payroll commitments and pay their bills.
“We are so grateful for the support from the Rock Family of Cos.,” says Carolyn Wilson, COO of Beaumont Health. “At a time like this, our community needs to come together, and we are sincerely appreciative of the organization’s generosity.”
Quicken Loans and Rock Connections have also donated their call center operations and team members for appointment scheduling for the drive-up COVID-19 testing site at the Michigan State Fairgrounds. They also supported the development of the scheduling technology and provided logistical support for the site. The Rocket Mortgage Classic has donated tents and other assets from the tournament for the drive-up effort.
The Rock Family of Cos. team members have donated more than $500,000 through a Quicken Loans Community Fund dollar-for-dollar matching campaign that directs funds to local nonprofits Detroit Area Agency on Aging, Focus: HOPE, Forgotten Harvest, and Gleaners Community Food Bank.
