The 67^th WHAS Crusade for Children will be rescheduled from June 6-7, 2020 to August 8-9, 2020. Communities throughout Kentucky and southern Indiana are a key part of the success of the WHAS Crusade for Children. Crusade supporters come together each year to help make life better for children with special needs who are among some of the most medically fragile citizens we have in our communities. Due to the impact of social distancing, the decision was made to postpone the annual radio/telethon.

“The community is such an important part of the WHAS Crusade for Children. With this in mind, we made the decision to reschedule Crusade 67 for August 8 and 9. In these unprecedented times, we remain committed to the health and safety of the children we serve. It is our hope that rescheduling the telethon will provide additional time for our dedicated firefighters and community partners, who are crucial to our success,” said Dawn Lee, President & CEO of the WHAS Crusade for Children.

Firefighters lead the way

Fire departments across Kentucky and southern Indiana raise nearly 60 percent of the Crusade donations each year by staging roadblocks and hosting other events. Fundraising events can be found on WHASCrusade.org/events.

Crusade history

Since 1954, the WHAS Crusade for Children has hosted an annual radio/telethon. Over the years, it has moved around the calendar having been held in November, September, May and most recently in June. A year-by-year history can be found on WHASCrusade.org/whas-crusade-for-children-history.

Kristin Goodwillie joins Terry Meiners
WHAS11’s Kristin Goodwillie and 840 WHAS Radio’s Terry Meiners will emcee the Crusade Variety Show. Show time is 7:00pm (EDT) at the Kentucky Center for the Arts Bomhard Theater in Louisville. The show is open to the public. Admission is free.

The WHAS Crusade for Children will begin at 1:00pm on Saturday, August 8 with fire departments, civic groups, organizations and companies reporting donations. The Crusade will conclude at 7:00pm on Sunday, August 9.

To make a donation

The WHAS Crusade for Children has made it easy for supporters to donate with many different options. Donations can be made securely online at WHASCrusade.org or by mail:

WHAS Crusade for Children

520 W. Chestnut St.

Louisville, KY  40202

Digital donations can also be made using Venmo, PayPal and Alexa Pay. In addition, Facebook users can make a one-time donation on the WHAS Crusade for Children Facebook page or host a Facebook fundraiser for the Crusade. Fire departments and other civic groups will also still be collecting donations this year.

Crusade Network

The annual Crusade Internet/radio/telethon kicks off at 1:00pm (EDT) on Saturday, August 8 and airs in its entirety on WHAS Radio (AM 840), WHAS-TV (Channel 11.1) and on WHAS11.com.

In addition, WBNA-TV (Channel 21.1) in Louisville airs live broadcasts 12:30pm to 6:30pm Sunday, August 9 from the Kentucky cities of Elizabethtown, Shelbyville and Bardstown. WBKO-TV in Bowling Green airs remote telecasts from Campbellsville on Saturday and Leitchfield on Sunday.

Television Network

WHAS-TV, Louisville (flagship station)

WBNA-TV, Louisville

WBKO-TV, Bowling Green

Radio Network

WHAS, Louisville (flagship station)

Internet Network

WHAS11.com

WHASCrusade.org

WHAS11.com will provide live video streaming of the entire broadcast visible anywhere in the world and also simulcast on YouTube and Facebook Live. WHASCrusade.org will provide updates throughout the weekend and a complete list of all groups that make donations.

100 percent for the kids 

In its first 66 years, the Crusade has raised more than $190 million for children with special needs. Thanks to generous contributions of goods and services, the Crusade is able to grant 100 percent of all donations to agencies, hospitals and schools that serve children with special needs in all 120 Kentucky counties and more than 50 southern Indiana counties.

It takes a cast of thousands to stage the annual miracle. From individual donors dropping pocket change into boots at firefighter road blocks to children with lemonade stands to corporations offering payroll deduction.

About the WHAS Crusade for Children

The WHAS Crusade for Children, established by WHAS-TV in 1954, raises money for agencies, hospitals and schools that make life better for children with special needs. In its first 66 years, the Crusade has raised more than $190 million. Thanks to generous contributions of goods and services, the Crusade returns 100 percent of all donations to organizations in all 120 Kentucky counties and more than 50 counties in southern Indiana. Fire departments raise nearly 60 percent of the money each year by staging roadblocks and hosting other events. Millions of children have been helped by the Crusade since 1954. The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Gifts are tax-deductible as permitted by law.