2021 Crusade Grants Announced
The WHAS Crusade for Children announces its grants for 2021 – 2022. 225 grants have been awarded totaling $5,100,000. That matches the tote board at the conclusion of the 68th annual WHAS Crusade for Children which took place on June 5 – 6, 2021.
Grant funds become available as the Crusade for Children begins a new fiscal year on September 1, 2021.
“Thanks to the tremendous support of the community, we are so excited Crusade 68 raised $5,100,000 which will be awarded in 225 grants this year. With over $11 million in requests, the board of ministers, rabbis and priests who make the funding allocations had some difficult decisions. Their job was made even tougher these past two years because the pandemic has created needs they want to fully fund. They did a great job selecting terrific projects and programs that will make life better for children with special needs across Kentucky and southern Indiana, ranging from small communication devices to large capital projects,” said WHAS Crusade for Children President & CEO Dawn Lee.
100% for the kids
The Crusade reached a milestone this year of $200 million raised for children with special needs since 1954. One hundred percent of all donations raised are returned in the form of grants to agencies, hospitals and schools that provide direct services and make life better for children with special needs.
It takes a cast of thousands for this annual miracle, from individual donors dropping pocket change into boots at firefighter roadblocks to schools hosting penny challenges to corporations offering payroll deduction.
Click here to learn more about the WHAS Crusade for Children grant process.
Click here to see a recap of the 2021 68th annual WHAS Crusade for Children.
SEE HUNDREDS OF PHOTOS FROM CRUSADE WEEKEND ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE, CLICK HERE.
2021-2022 GRANTS LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
Adair County Board of Education $39,000.00
Allegro Dance Project $5,000.00
American Printing House for the Blind $9,000.00
American Red Cross Kentucky $9,000.00
Americana Community Center $8,000.00
Anchorage Independent School District $25,000.00
Appalachian Regional Healthcare $14,500.00
Arc of the Greater Louisville Area $8,000.00
Archdiocese of Louisville $41,000.00
Art Center of the Bluegrass $2,500.00
Asbury University $20,000.00
Baptist Health Foundation – Louisville $100,000.00
Baptist Health Foundation – Madisonville $10,000.00
Baptist Health Foundation – Paducah $15,000.00
Bardstown Independent Schools $12,495.00
Barren Heights Christian Retreat $10,000.00
Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center $10,000.00
Bath County Schools $10,000.00
Bellarmine University – Kids on the Move $75,000.00
Bellarmine University – Scholarships $18,000.00
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest $12,000.00
Best Buddies International $6,000.00
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana $7,000.00
Bluegrass Center for Autism $30,000.00
Bluegrass Therapy and Equine Center $4,000.00
Boone County Public Schools $18,000.00
Borden-Henryville School Corporation $10,000.00
Boy Scouts of America – Lincoln Heritage Council $12,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana $15,000.00
Breckinridge County Board of Education $25,000.00
Bullitt County Public Schools $30,000.00
Burgin Board of Education $21,000.00
Camp Tessa $5,000.00
Camp Tessa of Meade County $4,000.00
Campbellsville Independent Schools $14,000.00
CASA at Woodlawn (of the Bluegrass) $6,000.00
CASA by the Lakes $7,000.00
CASA of Lexington $14,000.00
CASA of South Central Kentucky $5,000.00
CASA of the Heartland $10,000.00
CASA of the River Region $5,000.00
CASA Program For Bullitt County $16,000.00
Central Kentucky Education Cooperative $36,000.00
Cerebral Palsy KIDS Center for Pediatric Therapies $20,000.00
Child Development Centers of the Bluegrass $2,000.00
Clark County Youth Shelter & Family Services $15,000.00
Cloverport Independent School District $50,000.00
Commonwealth Health Foundation Medical Center Health Foundation $10,000.00
Commonwealth Theatre Center $5,600.00
Communities In Schools of Clark County $9,500.00
Community Action of Southern Indiana $21,000.00
Critically Loved $4,000.00
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation $4,000.00
Deaf Youth Sports Festival $13,000.00
Dorman Preschool Center $21,000.00
Down Syndrome Association of Central Ky $8,000.00
Down Syndrome of Louisville $18,000.00
Down Syndrome of South Central Kentucky $7,000.00
Dreams With Wings $7,000.00
Dyslexia Association of the Pennyrile $2,100.00
Easter Seals West Kentucky $2,000.00
Eastern Kentucky University – Developmental Disabilities Clinic Autism Social Groups $5,600.00
Eastern Kentucky University – Special Education Scholarships $21,000.00
Eminence Independent Schools $23,000.00
Englishton Park Children’s Summer Camp Program $4,500.00
Exploited Children’s Help Organization of Greater Louisville $10,250.00
Family & Children’s Place $26,000.00
Family Ark $16,000.00
Family Enrichment Center $6,500.00
Family Scholar House $13,000.00
Father Maloney’s Boys & Girls Haven $74,000.00
FEAT of Louisville $13,500.00
First Chance Center $22,000.00
Flaget Memorial Hospital $21,819.00
Floyd Memorial Foundation $33,626.00
Franklin County Schools $14,000.00
Friends School $30,000.00
Fund For The Arts $8,500.00
Gateway Children’s Services $1,197.00
Gateway Community Action $4,500.00
Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana $12,000.00
Graves County Board of Education $14,000.00
Grayson County Schools $14,000.00
Greater Clark County Schools $20,000.00
Green County Board of Education $14,300.00
Green Hill Therapy $26,000.00
Green River Regional Educational Cooperative $7,700.00
Hancock County Public Schools $6,000.00
Harbor House of Louisville $10,000.00
Hardin County Schools Special Ed Dept. $40,000.00
Hardin Memorial Hospital Foundation $88,000.00
Harrison County Exceptional Learners Coop $16,000.00
Hart County Board of Education $15,000.00
Henderson County Schools $28,000.00
Henry County Public Schools $35,000.00
Heuser Hearing & Language Academy $21,000.00
Home of the Innocents $127,400.00
Hosparus Health $40,000.00
Hospice of the Bluegrass – Bluegrass Care Navigators $8,000.00
I Would Rather Be Reading $7,500.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – Autism Program $7,000.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program $7,500.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – Early Childhood Special Services $5,500.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – ECE Assistive Technology Center $63,000.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – ECE Psychological Services $22,500.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – ECE Transition Services $4,500.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – ECE Visually Impaired $14,000.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – Exceptional Child Education (ECE) Communication Disorders Program $9,000.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – Moderate to Severe Disabilities $65,000.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – Occupational and Physical Therapy $50,000.00
Jeffersonville Township Public Library $3,000.00
Jennings County School Corporation $6,500.00
Jessamine County Schools $4,000.00
Jewish Community of Louisville $63,000.00
Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana $2,650.00
Kendyl And Friends Foundation $20,000.00
Kentuckiana Children’s Center $20,000.00
Kentucky Center For Special Children’s Services – Carriage House Educational Services $65,000.00
Kentucky Dance Council – Louisville Ballet $5,000.00
Kentucky Easter Seal Society – Cardinal Hill $1,696.52
Kentucky Ed Development Corporation $8,000.00
Kentucky Hemophilia Foundation $6,000.00
Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation $14,000.00
Kentucky School for the Deaf $15,000.00
Kids Cancer Alliance – Indian Summer Oncology Camp” $10,000.00
Kore Academy $5,500.00
La Casita Center $7,500.00
Lake Cumberland Community Action $7,000.00
LaRue County Public Schools $4,000.00
Lexington Hearing And Speech Center $6,000.00
LifeSpring Health Systems $2,766.00
Lighthouse Academy at Newburg $3,500.00
Louisville Central Community Center – Mini-Versity Child Development Center $21,000.00
Madison Area Educational Special Service $6,000.00
Madison Consolidated Schools $30,000.00
Make-A-Wish Foundation $9,000.00
Marion County Board of Education $48,148.00
Maryhurst $25,000.00
Masonic Home – Sproutlings Pediatric Day Care & Preschool $2,525.00
Meade County Public Schools $37,000.00
Meredith-Dunn School $20,000.00
Miracle Dancer Scholarship Foundation $10,500.00
Miracle League of Louisville $33,000.00
Mission Hope For Kids $4,000.00
Montgomery County School District $30,000.00
Mountain Comprehensive Care Center $7,000.00
Nativity Academy At St Boniface $27,000.00
NELCASA $12,000.00
Nelson County Schools $13,000.00
New Albany Floyd County School $31,000.00
New Beginnings Therapeutic Riding $10,000.00
Newport Independent Schools $12,000.00
Northern Kentucky Children’s Law Center $12,000.00
Northern Kentucky Cooperative For Educational Services $3,500.00
Norton Children’s Hospital – Epilepsy Equipment $280,111.10
Norton Children’s Medical Group – Autism Services $58,000.00
Norton Children’s Medical Group – Pediatrics Nutrition Program $48,000.00
Norton Children’s Medical Group – Learning and Attention Disorders Clinic $55,000.00
Oldham County Board of Education $60,000.00
Orchid House – Marty’s Orchid House $10,000.00
Our Lady of Providence High School $16,000.00
Owen County School District $5,000.00
Owensboro Dance Theater $14,000.00
Owensboro Health Foundation $15,000.00
Paoli Community School (Throop Elementary) $45,000.00
Paws With Purpose $19,000.00
Personal Counseling Service $20,000.00
Personal Counseling Service – Capital $45,000.00
Pitt Academy $8,030.78
Project Camp – The Center for Courageous Kids $40,000.00
Providence House Family Preservation $13,000.00
Puzzle Pieces $18,000.00
Rachel’s Fun For Everyone Project $12,000.00
Rauch $14,000.00
Riley Children’s Foundation $6,000.00
Rockcastle Regional Hospital & Respiratory Care Center $30,000.00
SAFY of Kentucky $3,000.00
Saint Joseph Berea Hospital Foundation $19,500.00
Saint Joseph London Foundation $40,000.00
Saint Joseph Mount Sterling Foundation $47,000.00
Seven Counties Services $148,500.00
Shelby County Public Schools $74,000.00
Silver Creek School Corporation $20,000.00
South Central Area Special Education Cooperative $13,250.00
South Central Kentucky Kids On The Block $2,487.00
Spencer County Public Schools $30,000.00
Spina Bifida Association of Kentucky – Kosair Charities Center $15,000.00
St. Francis High School $18,800.00
St. Joseph’s Catholic Orphan Society $25,000.00
St. Joseph’s Catholic Orphan Society Capital Campaign $50,000.00
St. Joseph Hospital Foundation – The Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East $24,000.00
St. Vincent de Paul Louisville $15,000.00
Stage One The Louisville Children’s Theatre $6,000.00
Summit Academy of Greater Louisville $15,000.00
Sunrise Children’s Services $16,000.00
T J Samson Community Hospital $46,600.00
Taylor County Board of Education $45,000.00
The de Paul School $25,000.00
The Morton Center $25,000.00
The REATH Center $7,000.00
UK Research Foundation $60,000.00
University of Louisville – Peace Hospital – Partial Capital $18,041.00
University of Louisville – Special Education Scholarships $20,000.00
University of Louisville – Health Knowledge and Self-Advocacy $20,500.00
University of Louisville – Hospital Center for Women & Infants $110,000.00
University of Louisville – Psychology $20,500.00
University of Louisville – Pediatric NeuroRecovery Program $50,000.00
Vincennes Community School Corporation $13,500.00
Visually Impaired Preschoolers Services – Indianapolis $58,000.00
Visually Impaired Preschoolers Services – Lexington $50,000.00
Visually Impaired Preschoolers Services – Louisville $95,000.00
Volunteers of America Mid-States $35,000.00
Washington County Schools $10,000.00
Wayne County Hospital $1,634.27
Wendell Fosters Campus For Developmental Disabilities $5,700.00
Western Kentucky University – Kelly Autism Program $25,000.00
Western Kentucky University – Scholarships $23,000.00
Western Kentucky University – Renshaw Early Childhood Center $40,000.00
Whitley County Board of Education $1,701.33
Wilderness Trace Child Development Center $7,072.00
Woodford County Public Schools $9,000.00
Young Men’s Christian Association of Greater Louisville (YMCA) $40,000.00
Youth Advocate Programs $9,000.00
Youth Ethics And Skills Center $6,700.00
Youthbuild Louisville $5,000.00
Total: $5,100,000.00
You can still donate!
It’s always Crusade season. Donate now to help change a child’s life.
Donate By phone
Call 502-582-7706
Donate by Mail
Even though our office is closed for now during the pandemic, we are able to access our mail.
Send your donation to:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202.
Please be sure to make note if the donation is in honor or memory of someone or if you’d like to give credit to a certain fire department.
Donate Securely Online
Give online safely and securely. There is a section where someone can honor/memorialize a loved one or credit a fire department.
Text to Donate
Supporters can now text CRUSADE to 50155 to complete a donation. There is the ability to honor a fire department on the donation link.
Venmo
Venmo a donation to @CrusadeForChildren. You can credit your fire department in the comments section.
Cash App
Just like Venmo, use Cash App and make a secure donation to $CrusadeChildren. You can credit your fire dept. in the notes section.
Paypal
If you use PayPal, you can use it to donate to the WHAS Crusade for Children!
Alexa
If you have an Amazon smart device, just say, “Alexa, donate to the Crusade for Children…” and Alexa will walk you through your secure donation, charging it to your card on file with Amazon.
Donate via Facebook
Go to the Crusade’s Facebook page to donate securely online. Facebook does not keep any fees for a charitable donation!
Donations are tax deductible
The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Gifts are tax deductible as permitted by law. EIN #23-7075524.
Click here to see hundreds of photos and many videos from Crusade weekend on our Facebook page.
$200 million milestone achieved!
The Crusade celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2003 and achieved a cumulative total of $100 million. Just 10 years later, in its 60th year, the Crusade had raised $150 million.
June 6, 2021 topped them all. At the conclusion of the 68th annual WHAS Crusade for Children, the final tote board read $5.1 million. Since 1954, the Crusade has now raised a cumulative total of $200 million.
In an emotional weekend, honoring many fallen firefighters, the people of Kentuckiana responded.
From the News-Enterprise in Elizabethtown:
Kudos: Praising positives
June 15, 2021
CRUSADE A BIG WINNER. The manner in which local fire departments and others collect money for the annual WHAS Crusade for Children doesn’t matter: Local residents are going to match the efforts with donations.
More than $131,000 was raised locally for this year’s Crusade for Children.
Fire departments, organizations and businesses have become more and more creative over the years after firefighters were removed from most of the county roadways as a collection site.
Whether it’s a fundraising meal, raffle or going to the door of a donor to collect a donation, we make it work in Hardin County every year to support a wonderful cause.
The Crusade has been a big part of the community and the region since 1954 when it was started by WHAS-TV. The effort is designed to raise money for agencies, schools and hospitals that benefit children with special needs.
Watch highlights of the 68th annual Crusade assembled by Troy Whittaker of WHAS11 News.
Top Organizations and Companies
LG&E & KU PPL Companies $409,064.00
Archdiocese of Louisville $235,419.00
Norton Healthcare $126,208.88
Jefferson County Public Schools $65,930.00
Cross Country Distributing $50,000.00
Top Indiana Fire Departments
Lafayette Township Fire Department $104,383.00
Monroe Township Volunteer Fire District $64,060.06
Charlestown Fire Department $63,554.00
Clarksville Fire Department $37,677.15
Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department $33,254.46
Top Kentucky Fire Departments
Pewee Valley Fire Protection $259,564.57
Zoneton Fire Protection District $195,438.87
Fern Creek Fire Protection District $185,261.79
Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $151,520.41
Highview Fire Protection District $91,550.61
You can still donate!
Donate By phone
Call 502-582-7706
Donate by Mail
Even though our office is closed for now during the pandemic, we are able to access our mail.
Send your donation to:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202.
Please be sure to make note if the donation is in honor or memory of someone or if you’d like to give credit to a certain fire department.
Donate Securely Online
Give online safely and securely. There is a section where someone can honor/memorialize a loved one or credit a fire department.
Text to Donate
Supporters can now text CRUSADE to 50155 to complete a donation. There is the ability to honor a fire department on the donation link.
Venmo
Venmo a donation to @CrusadeForChildren. You can credit your fire department in the comments section.
Cash App
Just like Venmo, use Cash App and make a secure donation to $CrusadeChildren. You can credit your fire dept. in the notes section.
Paypal
If you use PayPal, you can use it to donate to the WHAS Crusade for Children!
Alexa
If you have an Amazon smart device, just say, “Alexa, donate to the Crusade for Children…” and Alexa will walk you through your secure donation, charging it to your card on file with Amazon.
Donate via Facebook
Go to the Crusade’s Facebook page to donate securely online. Facebook does not keep any fees for a charitable donation!
Donations are tax deductible
The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Gifts are tax deductible as permitted by law. EIN #23-7075524.
Alphabetized list of Donors
Here’s an alphabetized list of fire departments, groups, organizations and companies that contributed to the 68th annual WHAS Crusade for Children. This will continue to be updated.
American Heroes Motorcycle Association $1,200.00
Anchorage Middletown Fire & EMS $87,735.45
Anchorage Schools $916.00
Angelica’s Charity Bracelets $300.00
Archdiocese of Louisville $235,000.00
Bagdad Volunteer Fire Dept. $12,487.47
Baptist Health Foundation $10,000.00
Bedford Fire & Rescue $11,000.00
Boone Township Vol. FD $9,653.00
Breeding VFD $2,012.19
Buechel Fire Protection District – Donated to Fern Creek $0.00
Camp Taylor Fire Department $36,603.18
Campbellsville/Taylor Co. Fire Dept. $35,625.44
CASA $522.50
Central Hardin Fire Dept. $4,517.31
Charlestown Vol. Fire Dept. $63,554.00
Clarkson Fire and Rescue $14,564.10
Clarksville Fire Dept. $37,677.15
Columbia – Adair Co. FD $46,500.00
Community Boat House $885.00
Cross Country Distributing $50,000.00
East 60 Volunteer Fire Dept. $8,237.57
East Grayson County V.F.D. $6,727.00
Ekron Vol. Fire Dept. $25,046.09
Elizabeth Vol. Fire Dept. $33,254.46
Elizabethtown Fire Department $10,773.00
Eminence Fire & Rescue $17,350.93
Fairdale Fire Department $33,675.36
FastSigns $1,500.00
Fern Creek Fire Department $185,276.79
Flaherty Vol. Fire Department $32,866.73
Georgetown Township Fire Protection District $20,238.81
Glendale Fire Dept. $10,169.16
Greater Clark County Schools $21,626.00
Greensburg – Green Co. Vol. FD $18,107.28
Harned Fire and Rescue $35,413.13
Harrison Twp./Corydon VFD $26,812.00
Hazelwood Center & Windsong $1,274.65
Heth Twp Vol Fire Dept. $11,632.58
Highview Fire Protection District $91,550.51
Jefferson County Public Schools $65,930.00
Jeffersontown Fire Protection Dist. – In honor of Fern Creek FD $72,137.84
Jeffersonville Fire Dept. $21,566.68
Jewish Community Center Lemonade Stand $100.59
Joe Huber Family Farm and Restaurant $2,150.00
Kelly Knoop $24,002.00
Kentuckiana Corvette Club & Moose Lodge 5 $8,568.00
Kevin Adams $3,800.00
Knifley Area Vol. Fire Dept. $694.22
Kosair Charities $200,000.00
Kentucky 86 Fire and Rescue $17,750.00
Lafayette Township Fire Protection Dist. $104,383.00
LaGrange Fire and Rescue $11,453.13
Lanesville VFD $20,528.67
Leavenworth Crusaders $7,442.00
Lebanon Junction Fire Dept. $11,379.82
Lexington Vol. Fire and Rescue $2,417.37
LG&E and KU PPL Companies $409,064.00
Livonia Fire Dept $1,250.00
Loretto Volunteer Fire Dept. $6018.15 (?)
Lorne Ballard $18,061.00
Louisville Fire *& Rescue $14,270.95
McDaniels Fire/Rescue Dept $5,280.00
Meade County Fire and Rescue $6,361.40
Meredith Dunn School $2,041.70
Milltown Volunteer Fire Dept. $19,400.00
Miracle Dancers $8,500.00
Monroe Township Volunteer Fire Dept. $64,060.06
Mt. Washington Fire Dept. $53,000.00
New Albany Fire Dept. $15,388.02
New Castle Vol. Fire & Rescue $9,329.00
New Hope VFD $4,310.68
New Middletown VFD $9,523.75
New Washington Vol. Fire Dept. $13,985.46
Nichols VFD $10,000.87
Norton Healthcare $126,208.88
Okolona Fire Protection District – Milwaukee Tools Raffle Winner – Kyle DeMent
Okolona Fire Protection District $60,592.41
Palmyra Fire Dept. $11,011.05
Payneville Fire Dept. $12,264.63
Pewee Valley Fire Protection $259,564.57
Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $151,520.41
Pleasureville Volunteer Fire Dept $6,705.97
Radcliff Fire Dept. $11,530.19
Ramsey Vol. Fire and EMS $14,854.52
Rauch, Inc. $450
Raywick Vol Fire Dept. $8,424.49
Republic Bank Foundation $10,000.00
Republic Bank Foundation “More for the Kids” Power Hour Sponsor $6,800.00
Retired McMahan Firefighters $10,620.00
Rineyville Fire Department $13,730.00
Sarah Sauer & Family $1,000.00
Sawyer Family $1,400.00
Shelby County Fire & Rescue $86,285.82
Shelbyville Fire Department $27,794.83
Shepherdsville Fire and Rescue $16,213.62
Sonora Fire and Rescue $5,137.24
South Oldham Fire & Rescue $48,365.87
Southeast Bullitt Volunteer Fire & Rescue $4,581.54
Sparkles & Spurs $596.17
St. Matthews Fire Protection District $83,948.00
Stephensburg Volunteer Fire Dept $4,581.00
Summersville Fire Dept. $6,360.33
Superior Van and Mobility – “More for the Kids” Power Hour Sponsor $6,800.00
Swope Family Foundation $34,363.00
Taylorsville/Spencer Co. VFD $30,000.00
Ted Throckmorton Crusade Golf Tournament $25,168.68
UofL/UofL Health – “More for the Kids” Power Hour Sponsor $6,800.00
Upton Volunteer Fire & Rescue Dept. $1,948.00
Utica Township Fire Dept. $2,420.50
Valley Creek Fire Dept. $18,063.50
Vienna Twp. Fire Dept. $4,426.88
Vine Grove Fire Dept. $16,188.13
West 84 Vol Fire Dept. $3,405.00
West Point Fire Dept/Ambulance $10,303.47
White Mills Volunteer Fire Dept. $2,980.93
Zoneton Fire Protection District $107,846.42
Who gave how much? Here’s a running list
Here’s a running list of donors to the 68th annual WHAS Crusade for Children. This will continue to be updated.
Hazelwood Center & Windsong $1,274.65
Cross Country Distributing $50,000.00
Jefferson County Public Schools $65,930.00
Okolona Fire Department – Milwaukee Tools Raffle Winner – Kyle D. $400.00
Sparkles & Spurs $596.17
Baptist Health Foundation $10,000.00
Jewish Community Center Lemonade Stand $100.59
Angelica’s Charity Bracelets $300.00
Kevin Adams $3,800.00
Greater Clark County Schools $21,626.00
Community Boat House $885.00
Republic Bank Foundation $10,000.00
Republic Bank Foundation “More for the Kids” Power Hour Sponsor $6,800.00
Meredith Dunn School – Penny War $2,041.70
Norton Healthcare $126,208.88
LG&E and KU PPL Companies $409,064.00
Anchorage Schools $916.00
Retired McMahan Firefighters $10,620.00
Rauch, Inc. $450
Miracle Dancers – Pre-recorded check presentation $8,500.00
Milltown Volunteer Fire Dept. $19,400.00
Kosair Charities $200,000.00
Kelly Knoop $24,002.00
Superior Van and Mobility – “More for the Kids” Power Hour Sponsor $6,800.00
Lorne Ballard – Pre-recorded check presentation $18,061.00
Fast Signs $1,500.00
St. Matthews Fire Protection District $83,948.00
South Oldham Fire & Rescue $48,365.87
Kentuckiana Corvette Club & Moose Lodge 5 $8,568.00
Sarah Sauer & Family $1,000.00
Palmyra Fire Dept. $11,011.05
Ted Throckmorton Crusade Golf Tournament $25,168.68
Livonia Fire Dept $1,250.00
Buechel Fire Protection District – Donated to Fern Creek $0.00
UofL/UofL Health – “More for the Kids” Power Hour Sponsor $6,800.00
Utica Township Fire Dept. $2,420.50
Meade County Fire and Rescue $6,361.40
Charlestown Vol. Fire Dept. $63,554.00
Vienna Twp. Fire Dept. $4,426.88
New Washington Vol. Fire Dept. $13,985.46
Clarksville Fire Dept. $37,677.15
Ekron Vol. Fire Dept. $25,046.09
Nichols VFD $10,000.87
Heth Twp Vol Fire Dept. $11,632.58
Fairdale Fire Department $33,675.36
Leavenworth Crusaders $7,442.00
Highview Fire Protection District $91,550.51
Flaherty Vol. Fire Department $32,866.73
Joe Huber Family Farm and Restaurant $2,150.00
Mt. Washington Fire Dept. $53,000.00
New Albany Fire Dept. $15,388.02
Jeffersontown Fire Protection Dist. – In honor of Fern Creek FD $72,137.84
Payneville Fire Dept. $12,264.63
Jeffersonville Fire Dept. $21,566.68
Elizabeth Vol. Fire Dept. $33,254.46
Monroe Township Volunteer Fire Dept. $64,060.06
Boone Township Vol. FD $9,653.00
West Point Fire Dept./Ambulance $10,303.47
Georgetown Township Fire Protection District $20,238.81
LaGrange Fire and Rescue $11,453.13
Southeast Bullitt Volunteer Fire & Rescue $4,581.54
New Middletown VFD $9,523.75
Pewee Valley Fire Protection $259,564.57
Campbellsville/Taylor Co. Fire Dept. $35,625.44
Greensburg – Green Co. Vol. FD $18,107.28
Columbia – Adair Co. FD $46,500.00
Summersville Fire Dept. $6,360.33
Breeding VFD $2,012.19
Knifley Area Vol. Fire Dept. $694.22
Sawyer Family $1,400.00
CASA $522.50
American Heros Motorcycle Association $1,200.00
Upton Volunteer Fire & Rescue Dept $1,948.00
Elizabethtown Fire Department $10,773.00
Radcliff Fire Dept. $11,530.19
Sonora Fire and Rescue $5,137.24
Central Hardin Fire Dept. $4,517.31
White Mills Volunteer Fire Dept. $2,980.93
Stephensburg Volunteer Fire Dept $4,581.00
Glendale Fire Dept. $10,169.16
KY 86 Fire and Rescue $17,750.00
West 84 Vol Fire Dept $3,405.00
Rineyville Fire Department $13,730.00
Lebanon Junction Fire Dept. $11,379.82
Vine Grove Fire Dept. $16,188.13
Valley Creek Fire Dept. $18,063.50
McDaniels Fire/Rescue Dept. $5,280.00
Lanesville VFD $20,528.67
Camp Taylor Fire Department $36,603.18
Anchorage Middletown Fire & EMS $87,735.45
Lafayette Township Fire Protection Dist. $104,383.00
Bagdad VFD $12,487.47
Taylorsville/Spencer Co. VFD $30,000.00
Shelbyville Fire Department $27,794.83
Pleasureville Volunteer Fire Dept $6,705.97
Eminence Fire & Rescue $17,350.93
New Castle Vol Fire & Rescue $9,329.00
Bedford Fire & Rescue $11,000.00
East 60 Volunteer Fire Dept. $8,237.57
Shelby County Fire & Rescue $86,285.82
McDaniels Fire/Rescue Dept $5,280.00
East Grayson County V.F.D. $6,727.00
Clarkson Fire and Rescue $14,564.10
Harned Fire and Rescue $35,413.13
Pleasure Ridge Park FD $151,520.41
Harrison Twp./Corydon VFD $26,812.00
Louisville Fire Dept $14,270.95
Lexington Vol. Fire and Rescue $2,417.37
Ramsey Vol. Fire and EMS $14,854.52
Archdiocese of Louisville $235,000.00
Loretto Volunteer Fire Dept. $6018.15 (?)
Raywick Vol Fire Dept. $8,424.49
New Hope VFD $4,310.68
Okolona Fire Protection District $60,592.41
Shepherdsville Fire and Rescue $16,213.62
Zoneton Fire Protection District $107,846.42
Fern Creek Fire Department $185,276.79
Swope Family Foundation $34,363.00
This year’s event is scheduled for June 5th and 6th and as always you can watch it on WHAS11 and WHAS11.com.
Three things to know about WHAS Crusade For Children:
- 100% of each donation to the WHAS Crusade for Children helps children with special needs.
- Through the Crusade, millions of children’s lives have changed in Kentucky and Indiana since 1954.
- Right now, Crusade is funding 1 in 3 children thanks to donations.
In its first 67 years, the WHAS Crusade for Children has raised more than $195 million. Thanks to generous contributions of goods and services, the WHAS Crusade is able to return 100% of all donations to organizations that make life better for children with special needs in all 120 Kentucky counties and 50 southern Indiana counties. Fire departments raise more than 50 percent of the money each year by staging road blocks and other events.
More about this year’s design
Fire departments have gone above and beyond for the WHAS Crusade for Children to help children with special needs in Kentucky and Southern Indiana in the midst of a pandemic. This year we honor firefighters for their service and sacrifice with a special design by Lonnie Walker of Primo Graphics.
The design includes two crossed axes with a firefighter helmet and badge that encompasses the Crusade’s logo. It will be featured on this year’s t-shirts and collectors pins, which will be available for purchase in the coming weeks.
The 68th WHAS Crusade for Children is June 5-6, 2021. Be sure to follow our WHAS Crusade for Children Facebook page, and stay tuned for more details. 100% for the kids! #WHASCrusade
Special thanks to our community partners: WHAS11 News, 840WHAS, WBNA-TV 21, WBKO Television, Terry Meiners, Kristin Goodwillie and MPC Promotions.
Here’s a look back at the 2020 Crusade
Due the worldwide pandemic, the 67th annual Crusade was held August 8th and 9th in 2020. It still raised $4.8 million thanks to your generosity.
Together we continue to make life better for children with special needs. Every penny counts. You can can change a child’s life.
Thank you for making this season bright for many families in Kentucky and Indiana!
Posted by WHAS Crusade for Children on Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Longtime Jeffersontown Fire Chief Bob Gaddie passed away this week. Here’s his obituary from the Courier-Journal:
Robert “Bob” Hope Gaddie, 85, of Jeffersontown, entered Eternal Life on Monday, January 4, 2021.
Bob was born on November 11, 1935 to the late John and Gladys Carrithers Gaddie and was a retired Fire Chief of the Jeffersontown Fire Protection District.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary Alice, his parents, and sister, Geraldine Tamme.
Bob was a member of the Taylorsville Masonic Lodge #210 and Kosair Shrine Temple. He enjoyed his cabin at the lake, fishing, being with his family, working with his hands, and helping people in general. He loved socializing and never met a stranger.
He was proud to be a firefighter joining in 1958 as a volunteer and serving as Chief from 1964 to 1996. He was a leader and mentor to many, served his community, and was dedicated to the fire service.
One of the first lime-yellow fire trucks in Jefferson County, if not the whole state, was purchased while Bob was Chief. He picked up that truck in April of 1973 and drove it about 800 miles from Elmira, NY saying that it did fine on its maiden voyage. He believed the light color was highly visible and was a safety factor. The color affectionately became known as “Gaddie Green”.
During his career he was heavily involved with the WHAS Crusade for Children, a longtime Kentucky Fire School Instructor, and served as an original member and vice-chair on the Governor’s Fire Commission under four Governors. His legislative efforts through his many years of service enhanced the benefits for firefighters and every department in the Commonwealth. He was also one of the few to serve as a two-time President of the Kentucky Firefighters Association in 1978-79 and 1988-89. Bob became a member of the KFA Hall of Fame in 2004.
Left to cherish his memory is his son, Robbie Gaddie (Stephanie); daughter, Amanda Ragland (Tony); grandchildren, Benjamin and Matthew Ragland; brothers, Ronnie Gaddie (Sarah), John Mark Gaddie (Joyce) and sister, Mary Lou Florence (Billy).
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2021, 2 to 8 pm, at Ratterman and Sons Funeral Home, 10600 Taylorsville Road, Jeffersontown, KY. The Funeral Service will be 11 am Friday, January 8. 2021 at the Funeral Home followed by burial at Resthaven Cemetery.
The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to the WHAS Crusade for Children in Bob’s name.
From the Nelson County Gazette, December 30, 2020:
Obituary: Ronnie Dewayne Bobblett, 72, Bloomfield
Ronnie Dewayne Bobblett, 72, of Bloomfield, died Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, at his home. He was born in Washington County on Aug. 31, 1948, to the late Wilmer Leon and Ethel Hill Bobblett. He was a member of the Willisburg Church Of God Of Prophecy; a retired employee of the General Electric Company; the former Mayor of Bloomfield; retired fire chief of the Northeast Nelson Fire Department; and served as the regional coordinator for the WHAS Crusade For Children.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Young Bobblett (March 30, 2005).
Survivors include his one son, Kevin Bobblett (Missy) of Willisburg; one sister, Veda Spalding (Herman) of Bardstown; one brother, Charles Bobblett (Peggy) of Chaplin; one grandson, Hunter Bobblett; two nieces, Adrienne Berry (Sammy) and their children, Emma and Graham; Amanda Bright (Derrick) and their children, Reagan and Bode; two nephews, Chris Bobblett (Jeanette) and their children, Logan, Cole and Solomon; Josh Bobblett (Vanessa) and their children, Caleb and Jacobi.
The funeral is 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 at the Willisburg Church Of God Of Prophecy with the Rev. Keith Creech, the church pastor, officiating. Burial is in the Evergreen Cemetery at Willisburg.
Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, 2020, at the church.
Serving as pallbearers will be Chris Bobblett, Josh Bobblett, Adrienne Berry, Amanda Bright, Dee Meeks, Matt Baenziger, Terry Scrogham and Tim Scroghan.
Carey & Son Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of arrangements.
There are many ways to make a year-end donation
By phone
Call 502-582-7706, leave your name and number, someone will get back to you.
Donate by Mail
Even though our office is closed for now during the pandemic, we are able to access our mail.
Send your donation to:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202.
Please be sure to make note if the donation is in honor or memory of someone or if you’d like to give credit to a certain fire department.
Donate Securely Online
Give online safely and securely. There is a section where someone can honor/memorialize a loved one or credit a fire department.
Text to Donate
Supporters can now text CRUSADE to 50155 to complete a donation. There is the ability to honor a fire department on the donation link.
Venmo
Venmo a donation to @CrusadeForChildren. You can credit your fire department in the comments section.
Cash App
Just like Venmo, use Cash App and make a secure donation to $CrusadeChildren. You can credit your fire dept. in the notes section.
Paypal
If you use PayPal, you can use it to donate to the WHAS Crusade for Children!
Alexa
If you have an Amazon smart device, just say, “Alexa, donate to the Crusade for Children…” and Alexa will walk you through your secure donation, charging it to your card on file with Amazon.
Donate via Facebook
Go to the Crusade’s Facebook page to donate securely online. Facebook does not keep any fees for a charitable donation!
Donations are tax deductible
The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Gifts are tax deductible as permitted by law. EIN #23-7075524.
Watch the Crusade’s year-end special
The WHAS Crusade for Children’s annual year-end special, “Building the Future”, is on YouTube right now (see embedded video above). It’s hosted by 840 WHAS radio’s Terry Meiners and Kristin Goodwillie of WHAS11 News.
It’s a special about the Crusade Endowment. You’ll hear from the son of a broadcast legend, a young Kentucky transplant now living in California, and from investment experts who all agree: it is a great time of year to help ensure that the WHAS Crusade for Children thrives in the midst of a pandemic. You’ll learn about the many ways to give and how you can make a difference in the life of a child.
The endowment is critical every year, but even more so during this pandemic.
The 30-minute program will air on WHAS11:
Sunday, January 3 at 5:30am
From the Courier-Journal, December 11th:
Louisville – Leonard E. Heydt, 75 of Louisville passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2020.
He was a Western Kentucky University graduate. Leonard dedicated forty years of his life as a firefighter. He started his career as a volunteer firefighter and was later an Assistant Chief. He was appointed Fire Chief for the Harrods Creek Fire Department in 1974, and served in that position for twenty-seven years. Leonard also served as president of the Jefferson County Fire Chiefs Association for multiple terms.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Marie Heydt.
Leonard is survived by his wife of fifty-three years, Marilee J. Heydt, his sisters, Pamela Heydt and Marianne Heydt Bosco (Charles), nieces, nephews and numerous friends.
Visitation will be at Arch L. Heady & Son at Westport Village, 7410 Westport Rd. and the Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Leonard Catholic Church with entombment to follow at Resthaven Mausoleum.
Due to coronavirus restrictions the visitation, funeral mass and cemetery service will be private. Those who would like to honor Chief Heydt may join his funeral procession to the church, leaving the funeral home at 9:30 am on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 and after the church service to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the WHAS Crusade for Children at www.whascrusade.org
To sign the online guestbook or leave condolences for the family, please visit us at www.archlheadywestport.com
Zoneton Fire Chief Rob Orkies dies
From the Courier-Journal, December 14th:
Shepherdsville – Chief Robert Lee Orkies, age 55, of Shepherdsville returned to his Heavenly Father on December 11, 2020 from a brief line of duty illness. Chief Orkies was born on April 8, 1965 in Louisville, KY to the late Bill and Patricia (Russell) Orkies.
Rob was a dedicated public servant who loved being with his family and always encouraged his firefighters that “family comes first.” He enjoyed fishing, camping, telling old stories, and serving his community. He lived life to the fullest and his compassion was larger than life.
Chief Orkies was a community-oriented Fire Chief. The WHAS Crusade for Children, the Zoneton Fire District Halloween Program and the Zoneton Santa fire truck were his passion and proudest accomplishments. He endured many cold nights on top of the Santa truck and wore countless goofy Halloween costumes just to bring pride and joy to the citizens of Zoneton.
Chief Orkies began his fire service career at the Okolona Fire Department in 1984, rising to the rank of Captain. He returned to his home community of Zoneton, joining the fire district there in 1994 as a volunteer. He was hired by the former Edgewood Fire Protection District as its Fire Chief. He was later hired as full time Zoneton Fire Chief in 2003.
Rob never met a stranger and was a friend to all in Bullitt County. He was highly respected for his fire service leadership. Most importantly, he will always be remembered as a kind, gentle, caring, and generous person that could light up any room with his warm smile and kind heart.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 35 years, Billie Jo (Goins) Orkies; son, Patrick Orkies (Sabrina); daughter, Trish Jackson (Chaz); granddaughters, Preslie Orkies and Rylee Jackson; sisters, Karen Rodgers (Jimmy), Alice Corley (Rick), Sherri Colwell (Ed) and Patti Tolle (David); stepmom, Beatrice Orkies; stepsisters, Mary Ann Brown (Tony) and Jennifer Lynch; in-laws, Bill and Linda Goins; brother-in-law, David Goins (Amanda); and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral service with full fire service honors will be conducted at 11 am on Friday, December 18, 2020 at Okolona Christian Church (10801 Faithful Way) with interment in Brookland Cemetery. Family and friends may pay their respects on Wednesday from 11-8 and Thursday from 12-8 at Schoppenhorst, Underwood and Brooks Funeral Home (Preston Highway at Brooks Road). Expressions of sympathy may be made to the WHAS Crusade for Children in honor of Zoneton Fire District. www.subfuneralhome.com
Zoneton fire chief dies after fight with cancer, COVID-19
From WHAS11.com, December 11th:
A week into his cancer treatments, Chief Rob Orkies tested positive for COVID-19 and was later placed on a ventilator.
Zoneton Fire Chief Rob Orkies has passed away following his battle with both cancer and COVID-19.
Rich Carlson with Zoneton Fire said Orkies passed died Friday. A procession will escort Orkies from Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital to Schoppenhorst Funeral Home.
“He was respected by all who knew him,” Carlson said. “All of us are deeply saddened by his death. Our condolences and prayers go out to his family and friends.”
Capt. Steven Corbin said Orkies was like a father to many guys in the department. Firefighters created a fundraiser for the Orkies family with t-shirts that read, “In this family, no one fights alone.”
Fire departments from across the country have reached out to Zoneton Fire in support of Orkies, with their neighbors in Jefferson County, Shepherdsville, Okolona and Mount Washington using the chief’s call number, 8101.
Most recently, Zoneton honored Orkies during one of his favorite community events — Santa’s visit to local neighborhoods. This year’s fire truck was decked out in his favorite colors, red and white, along with a hint of green to bring attention to the fight against COVID-19.
Carlson said the fire department’s flags will fly at half-mast. WHAS11 will provide more information when plans to honor Orkies are released.
From the Courier-Journal, December 11th:
“Respected by all”: Kentucky fire chief dies after battling cancer and coronavirus
Ayana Archie
Louisville Courier Journal
A fire chief in Bullitt County, Kentucky died Friday after being diagnosed with coronavirus and previously fighting cancer.
“It is with deepest sympathy and regret that we announce the death of Chief Robert Orkies,” the Zoneton Fire Protection District said in a Facebook post.
Orkies worked in fire service for more than three decades, the post said, and joined the Zoneton department in 1994.
“He was respected by all who knew him,” the department said. “All of us are deeply saddened by his death. Our condolences and prayers go out to his family and friends. This is a difficult time for the entire Fire Department, and we will need to come together to get through it.”
Flags at the facility will be flown at half mast in honor of Orkies.
The WHAS Crusade for Children’s annual year-end special, “Building the Future”, is on YouTube right now (see embedded video above) and will air during December on WHAS11. It’s hosted by 840 WHAS radio’s Terry Meiners and Kristin Goodwillie of WHAS11 News.
It’s a special about the Crusade Endowment. You’ll hear from the son of a broadcast legend, a young Kentucky transplant now living in California, and from investment experts who all agree: it is a great time of year to help ensure that the WHAS Crusade for Children thrives in the midst of a pandemic. You’ll learn about the many ways to give and how you can make a difference in the life of a child.
The endowment is critical every year, but even more so during this pandemic.
The 30-minute program will air on WHAS11:
Sun. Dec. 27 at 1:00pm
There are many ways to make a year-end donation
By phone
Call 502-582-7706, leave your name and number, someone will get back to you.
Donate by Mail
Even though our office is closed for now during the pandemic, we are able to access our mail.
Send your donation to:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202.
Please be sure to make note if the donation is in honor or memory of someone or if you’d like to give credit to a certain fire department.
Donate Securely Online
Give online safely and securely. There is a section where someone can honor/memorialize a loved one or credit a fire department.
Text to Donate
Supporters can now text CRUSADE to 50155 to complete a donation. There is the ability to honor a fire department on the donation link.
Venmo
Venmo a donation to @CrusadeForChildren. You can credit your fire department in the comments section.
Cash App
Just like Venmo, use Cash App and make a secure donation to $CrusadeChildren. You can credit your fire dept. in the notes section.
Paypal
If you use PayPal, you can use it to donate to the WHAS Crusade for Children!
Alexa
If you have an Amazon smart device, just say, “Alexa, donate to the Crusade for Children…” and Alexa will walk you through your secure donation, charging it to your card on file with Amazon.
Donate via Facebook
Go to the Crusade’s Facebook page to donate securely online. Facebook does not keep any fees for a charitable donation!
Donations are tax deductible
The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Gifts are tax deductible as permitted by law. EIN #23-7075524.
You can donate to the Crusade year-round
Donate by Mail
Even though our office is closed for now during the pandemic, we are able to access our mail.
Send your donation to:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202.
Please be sure to make note if the donation is in honor or memory of someone or if you’d like to give credit to a certain fire department.
Donate Securely Online
Give online safely and securely. There is a section where someone can honor/memorialize a loved one or credit a fire department.
Text to Donate
Supporters can now text CRUSADE to 50155 to complete a donation. There is the ability to honor a fire department on the donation link.
Venmo
Venmo a donation to @CrusadeForChildren. You can credit your fire department in the comments section.
Cash App
Just like Venmo, use Cash App and make a secure donation to $CrusadeChildren. You can credit your fire dept. in the notes section.
Paypal
If you use PayPal, you can use it to donate to the WHAS Crusade for Children!
Alexa
If you have an Amazon smart device, just say, “Alexa, donate to the Crusade for Children…” and Alexa will walk you through your secure donation, charging it to your card on file with Amazon.
Donate via Facebook
Go to the Crusade’s Facebook page to donate securely online. Facebook does not keep any fees for a charitable donation!
Donations are tax deductible
The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Gifts are tax deductible as permitted by law. EIN #23-7075524.
