Watch dedication video

“15 to 20 percent of the every dollar that the Cusade raises ends up at Kosair Children’s Hospital,” said Tom Kmetz, President of Kosair Children’s Hospital.

Monday, February 1, Kosair Children’s Hospital dedicated the Crusade for Children NICU Care Center. This level two nursery is a state of the art suite designed to care for the smallest patients at the most critical times of their young lives.

“When you think about Crusade, I think many, many people think about the work here in the neo-natal intensive care unit. So the commitment that the Crusade has made to this particular unit over the last 50 years and the gift that they made to the establishment of this new renovated suite just says it all,” said Lynnie Meyer, Executive Director of the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The Crusade granted $1 million to complete this care center which will be seeing tiny patients.

What, you haven’t entered your baby yet?! To get started, click here.

Vote for your favorite baby today!

Just click on the image of your favorite baby and carefully follow the instructions.

It’s the 4th annual Crusade Baby Calendar!

The WHAS Crusade for Children will create a 15-month calendar starting October, 2010. It’s the fourth annual Crusade Baby Calendar. The contest is open to babies who are not older than 18-months by June 1, 2010 .

How it works

As baby photos are submitted, they will be seen here on WHASCrusade.org. People then vote for their favorite baby by sending in donations to the Crusade. The baby with the most donations (votes) will appear on the calendar cover. The baby with the second most donations will appear on his or her favorite month. Third place will choose his or her month and so on til all months are filled.

You have two ways to vote: credit or cash

When you click on a baby photo below, you’ll be taken to another Web page that gives you two choices.

You can use your credit card securely online or download the official voting form and send it in with your donation. That’s how it works.

Important!

You MUST write the baby’s name in the comments section when using a credit card and on the mail-in form so the baby you like gets full credit.

Remember dollars equal votes!

Voting is determined by donations to the WHAS Crusade for Children. The babies who collect the most donations will be the winners.

Enter your baby today!

What, you haven’t entered your baby yet?! To get started, click here.

Vote for your favorite baby today!

Just click on the image of your favorite baby and carefully follow the instructions.

It’s the 4th annual Crusade Baby Calendar!

The WHAS Crusade for Children will create a 15-month calendar starting October, 2010. It’s the fourth annual Crusade Baby Calendar. The contest is open to babies who are not older than 18-months by June 1, 2010 .

How it works

As baby photos are submitted, they will be seen here on WHASCrusade.org. People then vote for their favorite baby by sending in donations to the Crusade. The baby with the most donations (votes) will appear on the calendar cover. The baby with the second most donations will appear on his or her favorite month. Third place will choose his or her month and so on til all months are filled.

You have two ways to vote: credit or cash

When you click on a baby photo below, you’ll be taken to another Web page that gives you two choices.

You can use your credit card securely online or download the official voting form and send it in with your donation. That’s how it works.

Important!

You MUST write the baby’s name in the comments section when using a credit card and on the mail-in form so the baby you like gets full credit.

Remember dollars equal votes!

Voting is determined by donations to the WHAS Crusade for Children. The babies who collect the most donations will be the winners.

Here’s how it works

From Nanz & Kraft’s Web site:
“Helping Hands” was designed as a way to continuously give something back to our community all year long. With each order a customer can select a charity orginaztion and Nanz & Kraft will make a $2.00 donation to one of our participating organizations. Simply select the “Helping Hands” pull down menu on the order form and choose an organization receive your contribution. Our Helping Hands program encourages customers to take advantage of our service when sending flowers across town or even around the world online.

C’mon, get in shape and help the Crusade for Children!

What the heck is Team Crusade?
It’s a unified team that runs all three legs of the Louisville Triple Crown of Running TM. You’ll make good friends and get in shape.

Here’s what you get
When you become a member of Team Crusade, you’ll get the following:

• Discount membership to Baptist East/Milestone Wellness Center for the training period (January 23rd through April 3)
• Free massage from Louisville School of Massage after the three races
• Free Team Crusade t-shirt
• You must raise $250 or more for the Crusade by February 19 to receive FREE entry into the three Louisville Triple Crown of Running TM races

Renee Murphy leads
WHAS11 news anchor Renee Murphy will lead Team Crusade. Along the way, there will be training tips, assistance and experts to help you achieve your goal.

What do I do now?
To get started and learn more about Team Crusade, contact the Crusade’s own Deandra Jackson. She’ll give you all the details.

To e-mail Deandra, click here or call (502) 582-7706.

Team Crusade training schedule

There’s only one catch
You must raise $250 or more for the WHAS Crusade for Children by February 19, 2010.

C’mon give it a try!

More about the Triple Crown
The Louisville Triple Crown of Running TM is presented by Novo Nordisk. Net proceeds from all three runs benefit the WHAS Crusade for Children. Here are dates and times:

Anthem 5K Fitness Classic
Date: March 6, 2010
Time: 8:00am
Distance: 5K (3.1 miles)

Rodes City Run
Date: March 20, 2010
Time: 8:00am
Distance: 10K (6.2 miles)

Papa John’s 10 Miler
Date: April 3, 2010
Time: 8:00am
Distance: 10 miles

Register NOW!
You can register for all three races securely online by logging onto the official Louisville Triple Crown of Running TM Web site, just click here.

Remember
You’ll be helping special needs children across Kentuckiana.

Enter your baby today!

What, you haven’t entered your baby yet?! To get started, click here.

Vote for your favorite baby today!

Just click on the image of your favorite baby and carefully follow the instructions.

You have two ways to vote: credit or cash

When you click on a baby photo below, you’ll be taken to another Web page that gives you two choices.

You can use your credit card securely online or download the official voting form and send it in with your donation. That’s how it works.

Important!

You MUST write the baby’s name in the comments section when using a credit card and on the mail-in form so the baby you like gets full credit.

Remember dollars equal votes!

Voting is determined by donations to the WHAS Crusade for Children. The babies who collect the most donations will be the winners.

UofL Red team tops UK Blue

On New Year’s day, some former Universtiy of Kentucky Wildcats and University of Louisville Cardinals suited up with some WHAS11 local celebrities to raise money for the WHAS Crusade for Children.

WHAS11’s Jamie Martin joined the red team and Andy Treinen the blue team, but most of the points were made by the former players like the blue team’s Jeff Sheppard.

He and other players said the Friday game was a good chance to reunite with teammates and play for fans.

The red team took the win, 95 to 86.

The event raised somewhere between $3,000 and $5,000. The exact total has not yet been calculated.

More about the Hardwood Classic

The 2nd Annual Hardwood Classic was made possible because of the support of WHAS11 Television, HOOPS, WHAS Crusade for Children, The Corporate Playbook, VIPP Communications Inc., McDonalds, Kyle Draper.com, Prime Lounge and SLAP Inc.

Become a sponsor

Want to help one of America’s most successful local charities?
If you would like to become a sponsor of this annual event, please contact the event’s producer, Sherlene Shanklin at 502-295-0435

Help raise money for the Crusade each time you do your grocery shopping or fuel up at Kroger! The Crusade will be given 4% of the total EACH TIME you recharge you gift card!

Here’s how to get your Kroger Gift Card

1. Use your credit card:
Call the Crusade office: (502) 582-7706

2. Mail a $5 check or money order to:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202
(Be sure to include your return address)

3. Stop by the Crusade office:
Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
We are located in the WHAS11 building at the corner of 6th & Chestnut.

Suppport the Crusade for Children

• Purchase a $5 Kroger Gift Card from the Crusade for Children office
• Recharge the card at any Kroger store for any amount up to $500.
• Pay for recharges with cash, check or credit card.
• The Crusade will be given 4% of the total EACH TIME you recharge you gift card!

Frequently Asked Questions

What can be purchased with gift cards?
Your gift card can be used for ANYTHING, including fuel and prescriptions, in Kroger stores with the exception of services. Services include: Money Orders, Western Union, Lottery Tickets, Hunting/Fishing License and Ticket Master.

How convenient is it to recharge the card?
Gift cards may be recharged at the Customer Service desk for any amount up to $500. You can simply stop by the Customer Service desk prior starting your grocery shopping.

Gift cards may also be recharged for any amount up to $100 at ANY REGISTER. If you want to recharge your card and use it for your purchase, you have to pay for the recharge FIRST then make your purchase. This has to be done in two transactions. Simply tell the cashier that you wish to recharge your gift card before the groceries are scanned.

(Please note – there is a five minute delay from the time you recharge a gift card at the Customer Service desk and use it at the check-out lane, pharmacy or fuel station. However, this does not apply to recharging and redeeming in the same check lane.)

Here’s the latest line up of Cats and Cards

The following will be lacing up their basketball shoes for tonight’s game. For the Blue Team, it’s Anthony Epps, Chris Burke, Matt Layow, Duane Lightfoot, Jr., Jeff Sheppard, Dicky Lyons, Jr., and Andy Treinen. For the Red Team it’s Montrell Jones, Jamie Martin, Larry O’Bannon, Troy Jackson, Perrin Johnson, Montrell Jones, Julie Smith, Dave Ragone, and Tony Stallings.

Also, this year the Hardwood Classic is happy to announce that the contestants from “Can You Duet?” on CMT will perform. Holly Jackson and Josh Glauber will sing the National Anthem. Log on to www.joshandhollymusic.com for additional information on our special guests. The game will be packed with action and music just like a NBA game. DJ Loskee’ (pronouncer Low-ski) will play top 40 hits throughout the game to keep it entertaining. This year’s announcer and play by play commentator will be will be Tony Wolfe.

The 2nd Annual Hardwood Classic is possible because of the support of WHAS11 Television, HOOPS, WHAS Crusade for Children, The Corporate Playbook, VIPP Communications Inc., McDonalds, Kyle Draper.com, Prime Lounge and SLAP Inc.. If you would like to setup an interview and/or cover the event on January 1st please contact Sherlene Shanklin at 502-295-0435 or by email at sshanklin@vippcommunications.com.

Right after the Hardwood Classic there will be an after-party at Prime Lounge starting at 11:00 p.m. Cover charge is only $5.00.

Here’s your map to Hoops

More on the 2nd Annual Hardwood Classic

It’s known as one of the biggest rivalries in college basketball, the University of Louisville Cardinals vs. the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Now former players from both the basketball and football squads will return to the court to benefit children with disabilities. It’s the Hardwood Classic 2010… Cards, Cats, Crusade.

Former UofL and UK standouts along with local celebrities will participate in the Hardwood Classic on Friday, January 1, 2010 at Hoops, 12101 Sycamore Station Place. Tip-off for the game is 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:000pm. General admission tickets are only $10 and reserved tickets are $25.

Tickets can be purchased at the door:
- HOOPS, 12101 Sycamore Station Place, 502-81-HOOPS

Stay tuned daily to WHAS-11 News and Sports as they announce this year’s participants. You can also log onto WHAS11.com and WHASCrusade.org.

This event promises to be a night of fun for the entire family can enjoy. Former UK and UofL stars will be renewing their rivalry for the WHAS Crusade for Children.”

WHAS11’s Andy Treinen and Jamie Martin take sides

The next two players ready to go are Andy Treinen of WHAS11 News and WHAS11 First Alert StormTeam Meteorologist Jamie Martin. Both are seen weekdays on Kentuckiana’s favorite morning newscast, Good Morning Kentuckiana on WHAS11. Jamie will be on the Cardinal team. Andy joins the the Wildcats.

First Blue & Red players announced!

The first two players announced to play are: Anthony Epps for the Blue Team, a former Wildcat who had 175 assists making him the 6th highest ever recorded playmaker by a Kentucky Wildcat in a single season.

Larry O’Bannon joins the Red Team. He played on the 2005 Louisville Cardinals Final Four team. He currently plays for the Israeli League. Also, this year the Hardwood Classic is happy to announce that the contestants from “Can You Duet?” on CMT will perform. Holly Jackson and Josh Glauber will sing the National Anthem.

Sponsors make the difference!

The 2nd Annual Hardwood Classic was made possible because of the support of WHAS11 Television, HOOPS, WHAS Crusade for Children, The Corporate Playbook, VIPP Communications Inc., McDonalds, Kyle Draper.com and Prime Lounge.

Former Univesity of Louisville and University of Kentucky stars along with local celebrities will take to the basketball court to benefit the WHAS Crusade for Children.

Watch the stars come out

Here is a list of the players who participated last year:

Anthony Epps
Keenan Burton
Artis Gilmore
A C Green
Dave Ragone
Derwin Webb
Darrell Griffith
Jeff Shepherd
Will Perdue
Kenny “Sky” Walker
Jared Lorenzen
Scott Padgett
Mario Urrutia
Sarah Nord

You and your company can get involved

Sponsorships of the “Hardwood Classic” are still available! Get your company involved. C’mon, show your support of the Crusade!

About 2,000 fans attended to see their UK and UofL favorites in January 2009. Your company needs to be a part of this! You’ll be connected with one of Kentuckiana’s most beloved charities, the WHAS Crusade for Children — a 56 year tradition!

For sponsor information, contact Sherlene Shanklin at (502) 295-0435 or send an email by clicking here.

See photos of last year’s event!

Crusade telethon raised over $42,000

By Sheldon S. Shafer • December 15, 2009

A special telethon for the WHAS Crusade for Children had raised $42,146 as of early Tuesday, Crusade president and chief executive officer Dawn Lee said.

“We felt it (the telethon) went really well, especially for the first one” specifically for the Crusade’s endowment fund, Lee said.

She said more pledges are expected before the books are closed on the telethon.

The on-air telethon was 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. It was broadcast live by WHAS-11 television, with radio personality Terry Meiners and news anchor Melissa Swan as co-hosts.

It was the Crusade’s first telethon that was not conducted as a weekend-long fund-raiser in early June. The 56 annual fund drives have raised $133 million to provide services for disabled and special-needs children in Kentuckiana.

The Crusade has about $5.2 million in an invested endowment fund that was started in 2003. The eventual goal is to raise that sum to perhaps $15 million in five or so years. Lee said the invested endowment is intended to generate money that the Crusade can use to ensure its continued independent operation, or income that could be available for additional charitable grants.

Most of the endowment funds have been built up by bequests, with the rest coming from the sale of a Crusade book, a baby calendar and commemorative sidewalk bricks around the Crusade office at Sixth and Chestnut streets.

For information on donating to the Crusade, call 582-7706.

Photos from Building the Future

Here are some behind the scenes photos from the Crusade’s Building the Future special. Read more about how you can help below!

Watch a behind the scenes video of Building the Future

We took our Crusade cameras “behind the curtain” to catch a glimpse as the WHAS Crusade for Children TV/radio special “Building the Future” aired on December 12, 2009.

The Crusade Endowment fully funds the Crusade’s future and that’s what this program is all about. It’s hosted by WHAS11’s Melissa Swan and 84WHAS radio’s Terry Meiners.

Thanks to all

The Crusade special television/radio program entitled “WHAS Crusade for Children: Building the Future” was a big success on WHAS11 TV and 84WHAS radio on Saturday night December 12. WHAS11’s Melissa Swan and 84WHAS radio’s Terry Meiners were your hosts.

You can still get involved!

To make a donation securely online, click here

To donate your car, call (502) 599-5210 or click here
To purchase a brick on the Crusade Walk of Fame, click here
To enter your baby in the Crusade Baby Calendar, click here
To purchase a Kroger Card and help the Crusade, click here
To learn more about the 2nd Annual Hardwood Classic, click here

Get a tax deduction!

Remember 2009 is almost over. It’s a great time to get a year-end tax deduction.

Watch this NEW fun video

The Crusade Endowment fully funds the Crusade’s future. The Endowment allows the Crusade to continute granting 100% of donations collected on Crusade weekend. The Endowment guarantees that children with special needs will be helped for decades to come. It’s so simple, a kid can explain it. Watch!

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 $133 million, giving critical assistance to an estimated three million 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 other national charity or organization.

The Crusade returns 100% of each donation to agencies that directly improve the lives of children with special needs.

The WHAS Crusade for Children Endowment fully funds the Crusade’s future.

It guarantees that 100% of the Crusade’s annual telethon collections continue to go directly to agencies that help children with special needs.

It ensures that millions more children will be helped for decades to come.

Beyond your annual contribution, the Crusade needs your Endowment donation now. To change a child’s life forever, support the WHAS Crusade Endowment.

• 100% of each donation goes directly to help children with special needs
• The Crusade has raised more than $125 million since 1954
• An estimated three million children have been helped by the Crusade
• The Crusade collects an average of $5 million annually; that allows the Crusade to fund just one-third of its annual grant requests
• The Crusade helps children in all 120 Kentucky counties and 50 Southern Indiana counties
• An independent panel of interdenominational clergy allocates Crusade donations
• Firefighters raise over 50% of the Crusade’s annual donations
• The Crusade is seen and heard on Kentucky’s statewide network of Internet, radio and television outlets during the Crusade telethon which takes place on the first full weekend in June

• The Endowment fully funds the Crusade’s future
• The Endowment guarantees that children with special needs will be helped for decades to come

You can donate NOW!

Click here to make a donation anytime to the WHAS Crusade for Children securely online.

Santa calls you and helps Crusade!

NorthPoleCallsYou.com is donating $1.00 to the Crusade for every call made. Learn more by clicking on the logo below.

Lazer Blaze anniversary helps Crusade!

Saturday, December 19th, Lazer Blaze will be celebrating 15 years of serving the Louisville area. Starting at 12:00 noon, all revenues for 150 minutes (noon until 2:30pm) will be donated to the WHAS Crusade for Children. For more information, click here.