'Full House' actor, Michigan native Dave Coulier donates $125,000 to Children's Hospital

Children’s Hospital of Michigan was a joyful setting Thursday morning, when Michigan native, actor, director, writer and comedian Dave Coulier presented the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation with a check for $125,000 he recently won on the hit TV show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”

“My heart has always been here in Michigan,” Coulier said during the presentation ceremony. “I’ve been here (to Children’s Hospital) a few times. I’ve visited with the kids. We came with the Red Wings alumni some years ago. We all wore our Red Wings jerseys. And, you know, I feel honored to be able to come here and do this because the work that everyone does here is incredible.

“It’s nice to be back here to give something back for all the hard work you do for children,” he said, addressing the staff. “I’ve worked with a few kids over the years; I still do today. Some of the kids I’ve worked with are now billionaires … and they’re twins,” he cracked, referring to his work with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen on ABC megahit “Full House.”

But Coulier said, his most meaningful connection with Children’s has been as a father.

“I’m also a dad,” he said. “When you’re able to come here and experience this – my son, he’s broken an arm here, an ankle there, you know, kid stuff that just happens with life – but as a parent, it pulls at your heart. And when you see what parents are going through here … and this incredible staff, and how you support those families, is just more inspiration than you’ll ever know. So thank you.”

Children’s Hospital of Michigan CEO Archie Drake said he learned Coulier had selected the organization to benefit from his “Millionaire” appearance when the actor agreed to appear on the show.

More:Metro Detroit outdoor dining guide 2024: Restaurants, patios to try

More:Buca di Beppo files Chapter 11 bankruptcy, has plans for restructuring

“They picked their charities up front,” Drake said. “I knew then, but I wasn’t sure how much he was going to win – because I watch the show a lot, and I can only get through maybe the first couple questions, so you never know. I learned the amount probably two weeks ago, and I was excited for a couple reasons. First, every chance I get, I love to expose the hospital to people in this community. My belief is, as a hospital, we’re all better together, and this is a definitely show of that.

“I also wanted to make sure the team got to participate. They’re here today, and I wanted to get some of our patients to come down and meet with them as well. Clearly, this is not about me, it’s about the kids and the team, and this is fantastic.”

Children’s Foundation Vice President of Finance Rick DiBartolomeo told the Free Press the proceeds of Coulier’s donation will go toward “supporting kids, as we see here today, helping them with a whole variety of issues that are affecting them nowadays, whether it be mental illnesses, diseases and the like, or other matters.”

After presenting the check, Coulier entertained and posed for photos and videos with hospital staff and young patients currently in the hospital’s care.

“I feel honored to be able to come here and do this, because the work everyone here does is incredible,” Coulier said. “So it didn’t take much thought. When they asked me, ‘Do you know who’s going to be your recipient,’ it was that quick.”

Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@freepress.com.