2008 Radiothon ends at $220,000+

That’s really what we had at the end of the event, $220,000!!!! (and we were excited when Advisory Board member Don Steel and our own Development Director Jeff Stanger announced that we passed the $217,000 mark.) And that doesn’t factor in online donations and kettle counts still to report, so we’ll be sure to post the official count when we have it. I just don’t know how to express how thankful we are to all of you who gave, and gave and gave (check out the photos here)! A simple “thanks” doesn’t seem like enough to cover the generosity, but it’ll have to do. If you pledged a donation, donated a prize, fed our volunteers, sponsored an hour, answered a phone rang a bell outside or sent a prayer our way – THANK YOU!

Specifically -

First, to our friends at Emmis Communications and WIBC 93.1fm – We truly could not have a Radiothon without WIBC. The on-air time you donate is only the most noticable of your contribution. Thanks for the planning, the programming, the individual hours and the passion you all have for those we serve. We APPRECIATE you!

Thanks to Quinn Buckner and the Indiana Pacers – It was our sincere pleasure to work with Quinn Buckner as our 2008 Radiothon Chair. He is a gracioius and humble man who made the time in his busy schedule to meet with us, take the photos, make the arrangments, record the liners, call in to the event. Bet he didn’t know what he was getting into when he said yes! Kevin Messenger – you made it happen. Your follow up and attention to detail was so appreciated. Thanks to Jim Morris and the Pacers for the gift cards, tickets and so much more!

Thank you to our hourly sponsors – You are the foundation of this event. You lay the groundwork with your contributions and your example encourages others to follow with their contributions. Thank you to Reach USA/ValPak, Barth Electric, Deloitte & Touche, Perkins Nichols Media, Hoosier Trust Company, Walmart, Zink Distributing, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Marathon Oil, Northwest Indiana Kiwanis, MacAllister Machinery, Queso Blanco Mexican Restaurant, Hoosier Glass, The Mutual Fund Store, Planned Investment, Firestone, RAM Tool & Supply, Batteries PLUS, Dellen Automotive and The UPS Store.

Thanks to our in-kind sponsors who donated the incentives and prizes to thank callers for their contributions. Your items built excitement and kept those calls coming! Thanks to the Indiana Pacers, Royal Spa, Gerdt Furniture, the Indianapolis Colts, Palamino, Weber Grill, EMS, Harry & Izzy’s, Yellow Rose Carriage, The Canterbury, Windsor Jewelers, Comedy Sportz, Rock Bottom….there’s so many of you! Go to WIBCRadiothon.org to see them all.

To our volunteers and staff – Thank you SO much for giving one of the most valuable commodities there is….your TIME! For those of you who answered phones, who rang the bells on the Circle, who refilled coffee pots and emptied trash…we COULD NOT have an event of this magnitude without you!

So many people will find the help they need through The Salvation Army because you took the time to support this event. THANK YOU!!!!!