Walmart Rocks!

Jason Wetzel, Walmart Public Affairs, joined us in the studio this morning to share their support of The Salvation Army’s programs throughout the year. After some stand up comedy at Jeff’s expense and Amber’s unabashed infatuation with Jason’s eyes, we got down to business. You see, Walmart had decided to give us an early Christmas present – a $100,000 donation! Amazing! That puts our total raised so far at $236,047! But the more, the merrier…join the fun and give us a call at the ValPak and REACH magazine Phone Bank at 1-877-71-PEACE.

Our Chair calls in

Even though he’s on the road with the Indiana Pacers, our 2009 WIBC Radiothon Chair, Quinn Buckner carved out a few minutes to call in and share a little about why he partners with The Salvation Army for this event. Quinn and Pacers Sports & Entertainment have been generous to our organization over the years, especially during the Christmas season. They’ve donated two pairs of tickets each hour to both the 2008 and 2009 WIBC Radiothon events as well as a couple of great prize packages. Last year, during the hour of Quinn’s call-in and in Jim Morris’ call-in, we raised about $6,000 for fellow Hoosiers in need!

Quinn’s offering a great incentive to call and make your pledge now – a $200 gift card to the Home Court gift shop at Conseco Fieldhouse. What a great Christmas gift or even a treat for yourself. So, from now until the end of this program, you’ve got a chance to call our ValPak and REACH magazine Phone Bank at 1-877-71-PEACE and make your donation.

And don’t forget to catch Jim Morris’ call tomorrow morning at about 9:30 to hear about Jim’s support of The Salvation Army and the prize he’s offering to those who call in their support.

How ’bout a Night on the Town?

During Steve Simpson’s show (3-7pm) we’ll be hosting a fantastic prize package for a romantic night on the town. How about 2 tickets to the Indianapolis Symphony, a carriage ride from Yellow Rose Carriage, a $50 Palomino dining card and an overnight stay at the Omni Severin Indianapolis? Sounds like a lovely break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays!

If you’ve been waiting to make that pledge, now might be the chance to win a fabulous prize for a loved one while “doing the most good”! Call our ValPak and REACH magazine Phone Bank at 1-877-71-PEACE or make your donation here.

On the way to everywhere

With 21 Central Indiana locations, Ricker’s am/pm convenience stores at BP gas stations are literally on the way to everywhere. Which make them a perfect place to drop a few coins in a red kettle this Christmas. And thanks to owner, Jay Ricker, the relationship has grown from a few kettles a few years ago to kettles all over and around the city!

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.

What’s it for?

The average American is only 2 paychecks away from needing emergency assitance to feed and provide shelter for their family. *

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