Why wait? There are many ways to donate now!
Donate 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.
2021 Crusade logo salutes firefighters
Here’s a look at the 2021 logo designed by Lonnie Walker of Primo Graphics.
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.
From Pleasure Ridge Park Fire District’s Facebook page on October 24th:
The Pleasure Ridge Park Fire District has suffered a tremendous loss this morning with the passing of Deputy Chief Brian Morgan at the age of 46. Col Morgan served the community for 28 years and was the current Car 2. Col Morgan has been a key contributor in many of the vast improvements made to our department over the past several years and will be sorely missed.
We ask that you send your thoughts and prayers to his family and friends who are grieving this heavy loss.
Obituary for Brian Ray Morgan
Brian Ray Morgan, 46, passed away Saturday October 24, 2020.
He was a loving husband, father, son, and Deputy Chief of the Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Department. Brian served the PRP Community for 28 years.
He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Brienna Morgan and mother, Mary Ann (Krazeise) Morgan.
He is survived by the love of his life, Brittany (Cassady) Morgan; children, Bryce, Brayden, Brody, and Brennan; father, John Morgan; and sister, Teresa Morgan.
His funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday October 29, 2020 at Southeast Christian Church, Southwest Campus, 8301 Saint Andrews Church Rd. with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Wednesday at Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Hwy.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to WHAS Crusade for Children.