60th annual Crusade aims for $6 million


                     
60th annual WHAS Crusade for Children shoots for $6 million


For immediate release:  May 15, 2013

(Louisville, KY)  In a few weeks, the WHAS Crusade for Children will achieve a milestone – 60 years of making life better for children who have special needs.  In the tradition of the WHAS Crusade for Children, thousands will come together to celebrate on Crusade weekend June 1 & 2, 2013.

For this special anniversary year, the Crusade has set a goal to raise $6 million.  With this goal, there is a challenge.

“It’s our hope that everyone will donate at least $60 for the 60th!  When that happens, 2013 will be a memorable year. The Crusade’s history is based on many people giving. For the 60th, if everyone gives $60, the Crusade will reach new heights,” said Crusade President & CEO Dawn Lee. 

Everyone who donates at least $60 to the Crusade will receive a limited edition 60th Anniversary Crusade window decal.

Peabo Bryson headlines America’s most successful local telethon
Just as he did in 2004 and 2006, Grammy Award winner Peabo Bryson will headline the 60th Annual WHAS Crusade for Children on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at the Kentucky Center’s Bomhard Theater in Louisville beginning at 7:00pm (EDT). With hit songs, “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again,” “A Whole New World,” and “Beauty And The Beast,” Peabo is a crowd pleaser who never fails to entertain. Admission is free.

Melissa Swan and Terry Meiners host
Melissa Swan of WHAS11 News and 84WHAS Radio's Terry Meiners will MC the Crusade.  They will be joined by favorites Patrick Hughes with the Olivia Henken Band; The Miracle Dancers; The Diane Moore Dancers; pianist Tim French; country singer JD Shelburne; The Guernsey Brothers; Todd Hildreth and the Crusade Quintet; vocalist Melissa Combs; magician David Garrard; Sam Majesty Starr; Singer Gaylia Rooks; Kentucky State Fair winner Collin Jackson and thousands of volunteers.

Flagships WHAS11 and 84WHAS lead the way
The annual Crusade Internet/radio/telethon kicks off at 1:00pm (EDT) on Saturday, June 1 and will air in its entirety on WHAS Radio (AM 840), WHAS-TV (DT Channel 11.1) and worldwide on WHAS11.com until its conclusion at 7:00pm (EDT) Sunday, June 2.

Nearly 200 fire departments along with hundreds of organizations from Kentucky and Indiana will report how much money they've raised for Kentuckiana's children with special needs.  Each year firefighters collect nearly 60 percent of all Crusade donations by staging road blocks and other events.
WBNA part of the Crusade Network for second year
For the second year, WBNA-TV ION 21 is a strong partner in the Crusade Network.  WBNA will broadcast live from Elizabethtown, Kentucky (Sunday 12:30pm to 2:00pm EDT), Shelbyville, Kentucky (Sunday 2:00pm to 4:30pm EDT) and Bardstown, Kentucky (Sunday 4:30pm to 6:30pm EDT).  Bobby Jack Murphy and Jenny Merryman will host the segments from Elizabethtown and Bardstown while WHAS11 First Alert Storm Team Meteorologist Ben Pine will host the Shelbyville broadcast.  They will welcome area fire departments and civic groups with their fundraising efforts to make life better for special needs children.

WBNA General Manager Tom Fawbush said, "Participating in the Crusade for Children is part of what it means to be from Kentuckiana.  We are honored to participate and look forward to promoting the Crusade and helping children in our city." 

WBKO celebrates 11 years as Crusade partner
In addition to WBNA, for 11 straight years, WBKO-TV in Bowling Green will air live broadcasts from Campbellsville, Kentucky and Rough River State Resort Park on both Saturday and Sunday hosted by WBKO Weather Director Chris Allen.   

Crusade Radio Network ready to roll
The stations of Commonwealth Broadcasting headquartered in Glasgow, Kentucky boost the Crusade’s statewide network.  Thanks to Steve Newberry, Commonwealth President & CEO, listeners hear a live simulcast of the Crusade Variety Show hosted by WHAS11’s Reed Yadon from 8:00pm to 10:00pm (EDT) Saturday.

Television Network
WHAS-TV, Louisville (Flagship station)
WBNA-TV, Louisville
WBKO-TV, Bowling Green

Internet Network
WHAS11.com
WHASCrusade.org
 
Radio Network
WHAS, Louisville (Flagship station)
WTCO, Campbellsville
WLBN, Lebanon
WBRT, Bardstown
WIEL, Elizabethtown
WHHT, Bowling Green
WTTL, Madisonville
WPKY, Princeton
 
Download the new Crusade App
Yes, there’s an app for that!  The Crusade is happy to announce that through the Louisville company, Talgrace Media & Marketing, there’s now a Crusade App that can be downloaded for your Apple iPhone or Android phone.  Just go to the Apple App Store for iPhone or the Google Play Store for Android and search for Crusade for Children. 

Hashtag #crusade60    
For fans of social media, the Crusade encourages everyone to use the hashtag #crusade60 when tweeting about the Crusade on Twitter.  This will create an ongoing dialog and fun for Crusade supporters. You can follow the Crusade on Twitter:  @CrusadeChildren or www.twitter.com/crusadechildren.  Join the conversation! 

Throughout Crusade weekend, there will be continual Facebook updates so be sure to make the Crusade your friend at www.facebook.com/crusadechildren.

Plus the Crusade’s Web site, www.whascrusade.org will feature updates throughout Crusade weekend.

About the WHAS Crusade for Children
The WHAS Crusade for Children is America’s most successful local telethon.  Since 1954 the Crusade has helped millions of children.

In 2012, the Crusade awarded grants to nearly 200 agencies, schools and hospitals that make life better for children with special needs across Kentucky and Southern Indiana.  Children with special needs are grateful for contributions to the Crusade.

There are many ways to make a donation to the WHAS Crusade for Children:

  • Make a donation securely online at www.WHASCrusade.org
  • Mail a check or charge information in an envelope to the Crusade for Children office
  • Become a Crusade Angel through monthly automatic deductions
  • Purchase a Crusade Walk of Fame brick for that hard-to-buy-for person
  • Donate appreciated stock, life insurance policies or other non-cash property
  • Consider including the Crusade through a bequest
Mailing address:

WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202

Or call: (502) 582-7706

The mission of the WHAS Crusade for Children
The WHAS Crusade for Children exists to change the lives of children with special needs in Kentucky and Indiana.

The WHAS Crusade for Children, established in 1954 by WHAS-TV, raises money for agencies, schools and hospitals to make life better for children with special needs. 

Since 1954, the Crusade has raised more than $148 million, giving critical assistance to millions of children in 120 Kentucky and 50 Southern Indiana counties.  The money donated in Kentucky stays in Kentucky and, likewise, money donated in Indiana stays in Indiana. No money is sent to any national charity or organization.  Firefighters raise more than 50 percent of the Crusade’s annual donations.

The Crusade returns 100% of each donation to agencies that directly improve the lives of children with special needs.  The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity.  Gifts are tax-deductible as permitted by law.  More is online at www.WHASCrusade.org. 

 For more information, contact John Blim at (502) 582-7521.