Thanks so much to all of our hourly and in-kind sponsors – to Emmis Communications and the amazing men and women who produced the -athon, the programmers, the personalities, just everyone who’s made it easy to call Emmis’ lobby home for the past 55 hours. We would not be able to do what we’ve done without their dedication and enthusiasm.

And here are the teary thanks, so buckle up – Thanks to our Radiothon Chair, Quinn Buckner and the Indiana Pacers. You set the tone for giving before the event went on the air! Thanks to Walmart for that incredible demonstration of support! Not only did your $100,000 bump that total, but it went a LONG way in encouraging our listeners to step up and make the calls. Thanks to our Phone Bank sponsor, ValPak and REACH magazine for your generosity and the manpower to keep those calls a’comin. And we can’t forget the folks at Markey’s Rental and Staging for the donation of our big screens – the tote boards are so vital in communicating with our phone bank and with the studio.

On behalf of all of the men, women and children we serve, THANK YOU for your support! This weekend, you’ve truly made a difference right here in Indiana!

Jeff Stanger, Terri Stacy, Don Steel and Jeff Pigeon

Radiothon Log, Day 2, 6 – 8 am:  We have a Jeff Pigeon sighting!  That’s right, Jeff Pigeon returned to WIBC radio today, and what better setting then the 15th annual WIBC Radiothon.  Jeff was right at home in the big chair, talking up The Salvation Army and getting the phones to ring.

It was obviously a fun filled 3 hours as Terri Stacy was literally in tears from laughing so hard.  Jeff, it was good to have you back.  Thanks for helping out The Salvation Army once again!

Mike Jones, of am/pm, stopped by to chat with Steve Simpson and the crew about their support of our Christmas campaign and a little incentive – 4, $50 BP gas cards for the next 4 callers to make a donation at the ValPak and REACH magazine Phone Bank at 1-877-71-PEACE.

So far, our total stands at $5,580 – not bad for a cold, December morning. But we need your help. Our goal this weekend is to raise $225,000 for our neighbors in need. We’re off to a great start. Don’t forget to check out our prize packages. There’s some great stuff out there – everything from Pacers tickets to Gerdt Furniture recliners to a couple of overnight stays downtown. Something for everyone! Oh, and don’t forget to check out our sponsor page. We have some generous business partners who’ve sponsored hours with matching funds as well as in-kind donations for those prize packages.

Don’t worry – you haven’t missed your chance to join us. To make your donation for men, women and children and need, go here or give us a call at 1-877-71-PEACE.

Not familiar with Radiothon? It’s a 55-hour marathon of giving hosted on WIBC 93.1fm this December 11-13. WIBC’s on-air personalities donate their programming time to invite us in and let our partners and staff and volunteers tell how we’re reaching out to our fellow Hoosiers in need throughout the year.

This event is vital to our fundraising efforts for the entire year. With about 84 cents of every donated dollar going directly to life-changing programs in our communities, these 3 days go a long way! Sponsorship and pledge dollars help us provide shelter for the homeless, refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence, after-school and summer opportunities for metro Indy children, support for families after natural disasters and assistance for families struggling to provide the basics after job loss.

We’d like to thank our 2009 Radiothon Chair, Quinn Buckner and the Indiana Pacers for their help with Radithon this year. And thanks to our sponsors who’ve already joined us - ValPak and REACH magazine for signing on as our phone bank sponsor, Markey’s Audio Visual for providing our big screens, Dunkin’ Donuts, Planned Investments, Klipsch, Royal Spa, EMS, am/pm convenience stores, Windsor Jewelers, Gas America, the Northwest Kiwanis, Dellen Automotive, Applied Intelligence, The Mutual Fund Store, Indy Moms Like Me, Firestone and Walmart.

We’re still looking for businesses to step up and sponsor an hour during this event. Sponsorships start as low as $500 and can be paid into 2009 with advertising or community budgets. We’re also in need of businesses to donate items for prize packages that encourage callers to phone in and pledge their support.

If you’re interested in teaming up with us for this event, please give Kristen a call at 224-1019.

We’re seeing just that scenario right here in our city. The Salvation Army has seen the highest requests for assistance in years – an almost 40% increase over 2007. And as families are struggling to make ends meet, our programs are in even higher demand than just six months ago. This year, we’ve already seen a 15% increase over the record need in 2008 – requests for food, housing and utility assistance. And we’ll surely see the need continue to rise as Indiana unemployment has exceeded 10% and a recent homelessness report shows a 78% increase in homeless families from just a year ago!

Radiothon plays a key role in supporting the life-changing services that our neighbors are counting on. So, as you consider how you can help us this year, I encourage you to get involved with Radiothon. Our 2008 Radiothon partners has made it possible for The Salvation Army to:  

• Provide a safe shelter for over 650 women and children in the first 5 months of this year.
• Support over 200 former shelter residents making a fresh start by continuing case management, child care assistance and financial support, breaking the cycle of abuse and homelessness.
• Serve nearly 7,000 meals to those in need in the month of May, alone.
• Offer no-cost summer camp to over 500 at-risk youth this year.

Please consider how your or your company can partner with us for the event. If you are interested in sponsoring an hour or if you’d like to donate an item(s) for prize packages, please give me a call at 224-1019 or go here. Talk about a return on an investment!

* White House fast tracks stimulus 2/23/09 article msnbc.com

I just want to let you know that your partnership is truly appreciated. We help thousands of people – men, women and children right here in our state – each year because we have amazingly generous partners who know what it means to give.

This is a big year for Radiothon – our 15th year hosting our Marathon of Giving on WIBC! We’re looking forward to working with you. Go here to check out information on how you can sponsor an hour or donate an item(s) to be used in our prize packages.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill

This December marks our 15th WIBC Radiothon on 93.1fm. And we’re thrilled to welcome back our 2008 Radiothon Chair Quinn Buckner for a second year. So, the details are beginning to come together. Mark your calendar for December 11-13!

You’ve heard the news, the economy’s been tough on individuals and businesses alike. But we know that Hoosiers take care of their own and the need is great. The Salvation Army’s seen a 20% increase in requests for basic assistance – help with housing, utilities and food. In April alone, we had 157 women and children living in our shelter!

So, as you are looking at your budget and planning your giving strategy, please remember The Salvation Army’s Radiothon. This 55 hour marathon of giving is the easiest way to make a big difference for our neighbors in need. If you’d like to learn more about sponsoring this event or donating items for our prize packages, please call Kristen at 224-1019.

Do you realize that a week ago you changed lives? I’m not kidding. When you answered my call (or made that call yourself) you made a decision that will have a profound impact on someone’s life. If you were able to listen during our WIBC Radiothon last weekend, you heard the stories of women in our shelter, of volunteers who understand what it’s like to give to those who are struggling, of Angela who was able to turn her life around at our Harbor Light rehabilitation center. Your generosity makes that happen!

When you drop a dollar into a kettle on your way out of Walmart or when you set up an on-line red kettle to encourage giving and spread the word about how you support Salvation Army programs, you’re not just making a donation. When you give to The Salvation Army, you are making an investment in the lives of men, women and children right here in your community. That’s a better return than Wall Street these days!

Thanks for all you do to help us do what we do – it’s a partnership we don’t take for granted.