Gabriel Forrest was born with a rare genetic disorder that affects 1 in 20,000 babies. He has albinism. For Gabriel that means a lack of pigment in his skin and hair. It also affects his vision. Once the shock wore off, the family found help through agencies supported by the WHAS Crusade for Children, like Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS).
At VIPS, Gabriel gets special attention to properly prepare him for kindergarten with basic concepts of numbers, shapes and social interaction.
Since 1985, VIPS has received more than $2 million in Crusade funding. Those grants continue to guarantee that children like Gabriel have the resources they need to be successful.
It’s the biggest day of local giving! Give for Good Louisville is SEPTEMBER 12.
One donation to the WHAS Crusade for Children can impact more than 200 agencies, schools & hospitals that receive grants from the Crusade. Thank you for helping us make life better for thousands of children in Kentucky and Indiana. 100% for the kids!
Crusade license plate now available
Show your support 365 days a year by sporting a WHAS Crusade for Children Kentucky License plate on your car!
Every Crusade for Children license plate registration donates $10 to help children with special needs.
Here’s what you do:
1. Take your registration, renewal card and proof of insurance to the County Clerk’s office.
2. Ask for the WHAS Crusade for Children license plate when you renew.
It’s just that easy!
Learn more online now: CLICK HERE.
LOUISVILLE, August 7, 2019 – RAM Racing, the nation’s premier endurance sports event production company, is thrilled to announce its acquisition of the 35-year-old Louisville Triple Crown of Running Series. Since 1995, RAM/EnMotive has helped different service aspects of these events, such as timing, registration, and photography. Now we are poised to carry on the torch of these iconic races, after acquiring the running series from the previous owners.
The Louisville Triple Crown of Running Series, a series of well-established road races of varying distances announced its cancellation in June, marking 2019 as the final running of the race series. “The 2019 edition has already taken place. We couldn’t let such an important series to the Louisville running community disappear. We know it’s become a staple in Louisville,” states Steve Ginsburg, CEO of RAM. “At RAM, we are committed to helping running communities nationwide thrive. When possible, we will always jump in and do our best to serve individual running communities any way we can.”
The Triple Crown race series focused on helping more runners and walkers in the Kentuckiana area embrace a healthy lifestyle and achieve the goal of completing the three-race series. RAM Racing embraces this mission through events that cater to all athletes of different fitness levels, making running an approachable sport that is enjoyed by all.
The 2020 race series will include the traditional 5k and 10k, but as an exciting change, the final leg of the revitalized series will be the inaugural Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k Louisville. Frequently referred to as America’s Sweetest Race, the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k race series was established by RAM in 2008. The Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k is an annual favorite on runners’ calendars: every year over 200,000 participants run for chocolate, making it the fastest-growing race series in the nation. The series combines industry-leading production and safety standards with award-winning giveaways including finisher’s medal and mugs filled with hot chocolate, chocolate fondue, and tasty dippable treats! More than one million people have run in a Hot Chocolate 15k/5k race since its inception, currently with races in 22 cities nationally, three cities in Mexico, and counting!
RAM Racing will honor Triple Crown’s longtime traditions by continuing its charity partnership with WHAS Crusade for Children as the charity of choice for the 5k and 10k races. Make-A-Wish® will continue to be the charity for the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k.
The 5k event will be held on 3/7/2020, 10K on 3/21/2020 and the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k race is scheduled to take place in Louisville Waterfront Park on April 4, 2020. Participants will be able to bundle all three races in registration and will receive a finisher medal for completing the 5k, 10k, and 15k within the series. The series will also include kids races in its production.
About RAM Racing
An event company for more than 15 years, the RAM Racing brand has become synonymous with the highest quality certified and sanctioned running races that give participants of all ages and the chance to compete in a professional-quality event. RAM Racing is committed to creating and executing race parties that elicit an unforgettable and unimaginable emotional experience from start to finish.
About EnMotive
EnMotive offers turnkey expertise for every aspect of the running race industry. RAM Races owns and operates the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k in 25-cities and Mexico, the nation’s premier race series, as well as a portfolio of other races across the country. RAM Racing events cater to all athletes of different fitness levels so that running is a relevant sport that is enjoyed by all. EnMotive serves over 1000 events annually with services including registration, timing, photography, and content capabilities as well as operations, management, equipment, marketing, and consulting. It is designed to help independent race owners and directors elevate their events. RAM’s management and operational team time over one million runners annually. Learn more about RAM Racing at www.ramracing.org or www.hotchocolate15k.com and EnMotive at www.enmotive.com
REGISTER NOW at www.louisvilletriplecrown.com
Hearing loss caused by childhood meningitis led Jason Goldsmith to a WHAS Crusade for Children supported agencies where he met Cassie, the love of his life.
Approximately ten years later, Jason planned a surprise marriage proposal, and she said YES!
Jason and all the Goldsmith family continue to give back to the Crusade by collecting with the Highview Fire Department where his grandfather, Dave is the chief.
To learn more about the WHAS Crusade for Children, go to WHASCrusade.org. 100% for the kids!
Crusade license plate now available
Show your support 365 days a year by sporting a WHAS Crusade for Children Kentucky License plate on your car!
Every Crusade for Children license plate registration donates $10 to help children with special needs.
Here’s what you do:
1. Take your registration, renewal card and proof of insurance to the County Clerk’s office.
2. Ask for the WHAS Crusade for Children license plate when you renew.
It’s just that easy!
Learn more online now: CLICK HERE.
SAVE THE DATE for the biggest day of local giving! Give for Good Louisville is SEPTEMBER 12.
One donation to the WHAS Crusade for Children can impact more than 200 agencies, schools & hospitals that receive grants from the Crusade. Thank you for helping us make life better for thousands of children in Kentucky and Indiana. 100% for the kids!
The WHAS Crusade for Children announces its grants for 2019 – 2020. 218 grants have been awarded totaling $5,690,000. That matches the tote board at the conclusion of the 66th annual WHAS Crusade for Children which took place on June 1 – 2, 2019.
Grant funds become available as the Crusade for Children begins a new fiscal year on September 1, 2019.
Click here to learn more about the WHAS Crusade for Children grant process.
Click here to see a recap of the 2019 66th annual WHAS Crusade for Children.
SEE HUNDREDS OF PHOTOS FROM CRUSADE WEEKEND ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE, CLICK HERE.
2019-2020 GRANTS LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
Adair County Board of Education $32,000.00
Allegro Dance Project Inc. $5,000.00
American National Red Cross $20,000.00
American Printing House For The Blind Inc $10,000.00
Anchorage Independent School District $25,000.00
Appalachian Regional Healthcare Inc $11,000.00
Archdiocese of Louisville $40,000.00
ARHHC, Inc. $6,000.00
Asbury University $23,000.00
Baptist Health Foundation Greater Louisville Inc. $93,000.00
Baptist Health Foundation Paducah Inc. $40,000.00
Bardstown Independent Schools $25,000.00
Barren Heights Christian Retreat Center Inc. $7,000.00
Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center Inc. $10,000.00
Bath County Schools – Crossroads Elementary School $11,000.00
Bell County School System $11,850.00
Bellarmine University $50,000.00
Bellarmine University – Scholarships $18,000.00
Best Buddies International Inc. $6,500.00
Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Kentuckiana Inc. $5,000.00
Bingham Child Guidance Clinic Inc. $50,000.00
Bluegrass Center For Autism Inc. $30,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs Inc. $9,500.00
Breckinridge County Board of Education $30,000.00
Bullitt County Public Schools $54,000.00
Burgin Board of Education $19,000.00
Camp Tessa Inc. $7,000.00
Camp Tessa Of Meade County Inc. $5,000.00
Campbellsville Independent Schools $18,000.00
Carroll County Schools $5,000.00
CASA at Woodlawn Inc. $6,000.00
CASA of Calloway and Marshall Counties Inc. $5,000.00
CASA of Lexington $18,000.00
CASA of South Central Kentucky, Inc. $5,000.00
CASA of the Heartland Inc. $11,250.00
CASA Program For Bullitt County Inc. $16,000.00
CASA of the River Region $10,000.00
Centerstone Of Kentucky Inc. $140,000.00
Central Kentucky Education Cooperative $30,000.00
Child Development Centers Of The Bluegrass Inc. $2,000.00
Clark County Youth Shelter And Family Services Inc. $13,000.00
Cleveland Home Inc. – Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass $13,000.00
Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club Inc. $3,000.00
Cloverport Independent School District $40,000.00
Commonwealth Theatre Center Inc. $6,000.00
Communities In Schools Of Clark County Inc. $10,000.00
Community Action Of Southern Indiana Inc. $10,738.00
Community Arts Center Inc. $3,220.00
Critically Loved $4,000.00
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation $5,000.00
Dorman Preschool Center $25,000.00
Down Syndrome Association Of Central Kentucky Inc. $3,000.00
Down Syndrome Of Louisville Inc. $20,000.00
Dream Riders Of Kentucky Inc. $5,000.00
Dreams With Wings, Inc. $8,500.00
Dyslexia Association Of The Pennyrile Inc. $3,528.00
Easter Seals West Kentucky Inc. $4,000.00
Eastern Kentucky University – Autism $10,000.00
Eastern Kentucky University – Communication Disorders $8,980.00
Eastern Kentucky University – Scholarship $18,000.00
Elizabethtown Independent School System $8,000.00
Eminence Independent School $26,400.00
Englishton Park Academic Remediation and Training Center $7,000.00
Exceptional Equitation Inc. $2,000.00
Exploited Children’s Help Organization Of Greater Louisville $15,000.00
Family & Children’s Place – Child Advocacy Center $30,000.00
Family Ark Inc. – Capital Request $15,000.00
Family Enrichment Center Inc. $9,000.00
Family Scholar House Inc. $15,000.00
Father Maloney’s Boys Haven Inc./Boys & Girls Haven $90,000.00
Fayette County Public School District $10,000.00
Fayette County Public School District – The Stables $3,500.00
Feat of Louisville Inc. $15,000.00
Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation Inc. $35,000.00
Floyd Memorial Foundation Inc. $70,000.00
Franklin County Schools $20,000.00
Friends Of Canaan Inc. $19,000.00
Friends of Open Door Youth Services $12,500.00
Friends School Inc. $34,000.00
Fund For The Arts Inc. $6,500.00
Gateway Community Services Action $8,500.00
Gilda’s Club Louisville Inc. $50,000.00
Graves County Board of Education $18,800.00
Grayson County Schools $18,000.00
Greater Clark County Schools $20,000.00
Greater Louisville Rowing Foundation Inc. $4,897.58
Green County Board of Education $23,600.00
Green Hill Therapy Inc. $20,000.00
Green River Regional Education Cooperative Inc. $10,000.00
Hancock County Public Schools $4,000.00
Hardin County Schools Special Education Department $67,500.00
Hardin Memorial Hospital Foundation Inc. $95,000.00
Harrison County Exceptional Learners Cooperative $19,000.00
Harrison County Hospital $26,000.00
Hart County Board of Education $15,886.00
Henry County Public Schools $25,000.00
Heuser Hearing & Language Academy Inc. $28,000.00
Hindman Settlement School Inc. $13,400.00
Home Of The Innocents $80,000.00
Hosparus Health $40,000.00
Hosparus Health – Capital $30,000.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – ECE Assistive Technology Center $60,500.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – ECE Audiology and Deaf/Hard of Hearing $30,000.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – ECE Autism Program $8,700.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – ECE Communication Disorders $7,940.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – ECE Early Childhood Special Services $5,400.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – ECE Moderate to Severe Disabilities $45,000.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – ECE OT/PT Program $46,000.00
Jefferson County Public Schools – ECE Visually Impaired Program $5,433.61
Jeffersonville Township Public Library $6,000.00
Jessamine County Schools $4,000.00
Jewish Community Of Louisville Inc. $110,000.00
Junior Achievement Of Kentuckiana Inc. $4,125.00
Kentuckiana Children’s Center $22,000.00
Kentucky Center For Special Children’s Services $68,500.00
Kentucky Center For The Arts Foundation Inc. $31,000.00
Kentucky Easter Seal Society Inc./Easter Seals Cardinal Hill $1,100.00
Kentucky Educational Development Corporation $15,000.00
Kentucky Hemophilia Foundation Inc. $6,761.00
Kentucky School For The Deaf Charitable Foundation Inc. $15,000.00
Kids Cancer Alliance Inc./Indian Summer Camp $15,000.00
Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency $7,162.40
LaRue County Public Schools $9,000.00
Learning For Life Lincoln Chapter $18,000.00
Lexington Hearing And Speech Center Inc $10,000.00
LifeSpring Inc/LifeSpring Health Systems $3,000.00
Lighthouse Promise Inc. $3,500.00
Lincoln County Schools $5,614.00
Logan County Schools $3,000.00
Madison Area Educational Special Services Unit $5,000.00
Madison Consolidated Schools $20,000.00
Marion County Board of Education $5,950.00
Maryhurst, Inc. $34,000.00
Masonic Home Of Kentucky Pediatric Daycare Inc. – Sproutlings Preschool $7,000.00
McCracken County Public Schools $13,000.00
Meade County Public Schools $58,000.00
Meredith-Dunn Learning Center Inc. $15,000.00
Miracle League Of Louisville Inc. $65,000.00
Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, Inc. $13,000.00
Nativity Academy At St. Boniface Inc. $20,000.00
Nelcasa Inc. $7,500.00
Nelson County Schools $13,000.00
Northern Kentucky Children’s Law Center Inc. $12,000.00
Northern Kentucky Cooperative For Educational Services $2,400.00
Norton Children’s Hospital – Capital Request $600,000.00
Oldham County Board of Education $50,000.00
Orange County Rehabilitative & Developmental Services Inc./First Chance Center $22,000.00
Orchid House Inc./Marty’s Orchid House $10,000.00
Our Lady of Providence High School $17,207.00
Owen County School District $5,000.00
Owensboro Dance Theater Inc. $13,000.00
Owensboro Health Foundation Inc $31,000.00
Paoli Community School Corporation – Throop Elementary School $12,000.00
Paws With Purpose, Inc. $22,000.00
Personal Counseling Service, Inc. $28,000.00
Pitt Academy $10,000.00
Project Camp Inc. – The Center for Courageous Kids $46,000.00
Providence House Family Preservation Program $12,500.00
Rauch, Inc. $20,000.00
Rockcastle County Hospital Inc. $53,000.00
Saint Joseph Berea Hospital Foundation, Inc. $14,000.00
Saint Joseph London Foundation Inc. $100,000.00
Saint Joseph Mount Sterling Foundation Inc. $36,000.00
Shelby County Public Schools $75,000.00
Shriners Hospitals For Children $30,000.00
South Central Area Special Education Cooperative $23,000.00
Spalding University, Inc. $7,394.00
Special Olympics Kentucky, Inc. $16,000.00
Specialized Alternatives For Families And Youth Of Kentucky Inc. $4,000.00
Spencer County Public Schools $35,000.00
Spina Bifida Association Of Kentucky Inc. $21,000.00
St. Francis High School Inc. $4,600.00
St. Joseph Hospital Foundation Inc. $36,000.00
St Joseph’s Catholic Orphan Society $23,000.00
Stage One The Louisville Childrens Theatre Inc. $6,000.00
Summit Academy of Greater Louisville Inc. $7,000.00
Sunrise Children’s Services, Inc. $16,000.00
T. J. Samson Community Hospital $30,000.00
Taylor County Board of Education $40,000.00
Telford YMCA $7,110.00
The de Paul School Inc. $6,591.41
The Morton Center Inc. $25,000.00
The Point Arc Of Northern Kentucky Inc. $12,000.00
The REATH Center Inc. $5,000.00
Trustees of Indiana University $9,000.00
University Of Louisville – Division of Child Neurology $62,000.00
University Of Louisville – NeuroRecovery $15,000.00
University Of Louisville – Pediatric Cardiology $227,032.00
University Of Louisville – Pediatric Endocrinology Infusion Center $37,750.00
University Of Louisville – Scholarships $18,000.00
University Of Louisville – Weisskopf Learning Disorders Clinic $53,000.00
University Of Louisville – Weisskopf Center – STAR $95,000.00
University Of Louisville – Weisskopf/Pediatric Nutrition Program $60,000.00
University of Louisville – School of Music, Music Therapy Clinic $30,400.00
Upside Therapeutic Riding Inc. $17,000.00
Visually Impaired Preschoolers Services of Greater Louisville Inc. – Indiana $45,000.00
Visually Impaired Preschoolers Services of Greater Louisville Inc. – Lexington $45,000.00
Visually Impaired Preschoolers Services of Greater Louisville Inc. – Louisville $87,000.00
Volunteers Of America Mid-States, Inc. $35,000.00
VSA Kentucky Inc. $9,000.00
Washington County Schools $11,935.00
Wendell Fosters Campus For Developmental Disabilities Inc. $13,000.00
West Clark Community Schools $16,000.00
West Point Independent Board of Education $19,000.00
West Washington School Corporation $42,000.00
Western Kentucky University – Early Childhood Center $35,000.00
Western Kentucky University – Kelly Autism Program $21,000.00
Western Kentucky University – Scholarships $25,000.00
Whitley County Board of Education $2,945.00
Wilderness Trace Child Development Center Corporation $10,000.00
Woodford County Public Schools $6,000.00
Working The Puzzle For Autism, Inc. $5,000.00
Young Adult Development In Action/Youthbuild Louisville $4,000.00
YMCA – Bullitt County $8,000.00
YMCA – New Albany Southern Indiana – Summer Camps $5,000.00
YMCA – Childcare Enrichment Programs and Summer Camps – Louisville $12,000.00
YMCA – Safe Place Louisville $17,000.00
Youth Ethics And Skills Center Inc. $8,400.00
TOTAL: $5,690,000.00
About The WHAS Crusade for Children
Our Mission: The WHAS Crusade for Children makes life better for children with special needs by inspiring generosity with our community partners.
Our Vision: Together we provide resources to impact all children with special needs.
- 100% of each donation to the WHAS Crusade for Children helps children with special needs.
- Through the Crusade we’ve changed the lives of millions of children in Kentucky and Indiana since 1954.
- Right now we’re funding 1 in 3 children who need the Crusade.
Change a child’s life, support the WHAS Crusade for Children.
To make a donation securely online, click here.
The WHAS Crusade for Children Endowment
In September, 2002, the WHAS Crusade for Children Board of Directors voted to create the new Crusade Endowment.
It guarantees that 100 percent 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.
- 100% of each donation to the WHAS Crusade for Children helps children with special needs
- The Crusade Endowment Campaign fully funds our future.
- Beyond your annual contribution, we need your Crusade Endowment donation now.
Change a child’s life forever, support the WHAS Crusade Endowment.
To make an Endowment donation securely online, click here.
How the Crusade works
The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. established in 1954 by WHAS-TV, raises money for agencies, schools and hospitals to better the lives of special needs children.
$190 million raised for special needs children
In its first 66 years, the Crusade has raised more than $190 million. Thanks to generous contributions of goods and services, the Crusade is able to return 100 percent of all donations to organizations that serve special needs children in all 120 Kentucky counties and more than 50 southern Indiana counties. Fire departments raise more than 50 percent of the money each year by staging road blocks and other events
An independent board decides
An independent board of interdenominational ministers known as the Crusade Advisory Panel decides how donations are distributed each year.
Agencies apply for grants
Representatives from agencies, schools and hospitals apply for grants and appear before the panel during grant hearings held each spring. Once the hearings are complete, the advisory panel determines which agencies receive Crusade donations.
Since agency grant requests far exceed donations to the Crusade each year, the panel has difficult decisions to make.
For a complete listing of grant application rules, click here.
The Crusade telethon airs in June
The annual Crusade Internet/radio/telethon is held each year on the first full weekend in June and is aired on WHAS Radio (AM 840), WHAS-TV (Channel 11.1) and worldwide on WHAS11.com. Portions of the broadcast are also seen and heard on a Kentucky statewide network.
Millions of children have been helped
Millions of children have been helped by the Crusade since 1954.
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. The Crusade is the most successful and oldest local telethon in America.
To make a secure online donation, click here or call (502) 582-7706.
View hundreds of photos from Crusade weekend on our Facebook page, just CLICK HERE.
Thanks for being a part of this annual miracle to make life better for children with special needs.
To honor a pledge
Tax-deductible contributions can be sent anytime:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Watch highlights from WHAS11 News
Top Kentucky Fire Departments
Fern Creek Fire Department $194,176.54
Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $194,154.54
Jeffersontown Fire Protection District $115,278.12
Highview Fire Protection District $90,273.76
St. Matthews Fire Protection District/Lyndon Fire Protection District $80,066.00
Zoneton Fire Protection District $76,159.48
Shelby County Fire & Rescue $75,044.68
South Oldham Fire & Rescue $52,822.20
Camp Taylor Fire Protection District $47,354.85
Columbia – Adair County Fire Department $36,644.02
Top Indiana Fire Departments
Lafayette Township Fire Department $118,161.00
Charlestown Fire Department $62,320.22
Monroe Township Fire Department $51,500.00
New Albany Fire Department & Harvest Homecoming $46,183.31
Clarksville Fire Department $34,693.00
Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department $31,200.46
Georgetown Township Fire District $30,138.39
Sellersburg Volunteer Fire Department $28,056.86
Jeffersonville Fire Department $26,826.88
Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department $25,417.12
Top Organizations and Companies
Archdiocese of Louisville $273,613.00
LG&E KU PPL Companies $232,290.00
McAlister’s Deli $138,332.52
Norton Healthcare $128,538.40
Jefferson County Public Schools $115,620.67
Kosair Charities $60,000
Cross Country Distributing $58,275.00
Louisville Triple Crown of Running $38,270.00
Sam Swope Family Foundation $36,285.48
Ted Throckmorton Memorial Golf Tournament $27,466.00
Press coverage
Click to read coverage from Palmer Trucks
Click to read coverage in The Grayson County News-Gazette
Click to read coverage in The News-Enterprise
Click to read coverage in The Oldham Era
Click to read coverage in The Record
Click to read coverage in The Courier-Journal
Kentuckiana = Communities with big hearts!
Communities in Kentucky and southern Indiana came together once again for the 66th Annual WHAS Crusade for Children to make life better for children with special needs. The final tote board tallied $5,690,000 as America’s most successful local telethon came to a close. That tops the 2018 total by $15,000.
The 30-hour Internet/radio/telethon was highlighted by a variety show hosted by WHAS11’s Lisa Hutson and 840 WHAS Radio’s Terry Meiners on Saturday, June 1. It concluded with a surprise donation from the Sam Swope Family Foundation to round the total up and Crusade volunteers crowding into WHAS-TV’s historic studio H singing the traditional “God Bless America” just before 7:00pm (EDT) Sunday, June 2, 2019.
“Every year I continue to be amazed at the way this community comes together to help children with special needs. The WHAS Crusade for Children continues to be a great demonstration of caring and coming together for the greater purpose of helping children with special needs. A huge thank you to all who gave, the firefighters who worked tirelessly to collect, and the dedicated volunteers that help every year. Every penny really makes a difference, and we are so grateful for the continued generosity of this community,” said WHAS Crusade for Children President & CEO Dawn Lee.
More than $185 million for the kids
In its first 66 years, the Crusade has raised more than $185 million for children with special needs. One hundred percent of all donations raised Crusade weekend are returned in the form of grants to agencies, schools and hospitals that make life better for children with special needs in Kentucky and southern Indiana.
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, it all comes together each year on the first weekend in June.
More for the Kids Matching Hours
In honor of the 66th WHAS Crusade for Children, several sponsors matched the first $6,600 worth of donations that were called in or made online during their sponsored hours. They were Clark Memorial Health, Joe Huber’s Family Farm & Restaurant, LG&E KU Foundation, Republic Bank Foundation, Superior Van & Mobility, and University of Louisville. In addition, First Harrison Bank and an anonymous donor matched the first $1,500 worth of donations called in or made online during their sponsored hours.
The Leaders
Nearly 60 percent of donations are collected by about 200 fire departments in Kentucky and southern Indiana. Fern Creek Fire Department led the way with $194,176.54 as their Chief Mike Schmidt retires this year.
Fire departments got involved with the Crusade in 1956 when Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Chief Ernie Bohler brought $400 on the Memorial Auditorium stage in Louisville and challenged all fire departments to get involved.
Like last year, the top Indiana fire department was Lafayette Township Fire Department with their highest total yet of $118,161.
Also repeating from last year, the Archdiocese of Louisville led the community organizations with $273,613 in contributions.
So many to thank
The annual Crusade Internet/radio/telethon kicked off at 1:00pm (EDT) on Saturday, June 1 and aired in its entirety on 840 WHAS Radio, WHAS11 and worldwide on WHAS11.com. WHAS11.com provided LIVE video streaming of the entire broadcast visible anywhere in the world. WHAS11 also simulcast the entire Crusade weekend program on YouTube and Facebook Live. Updates were posted all weekend long on WHASCrusade.org, and donors across the country made secure online donations.
In addition, WBNA-TV 21.1 in Louisville aired live broadcasts 12:30pm to 6:30pm Sunday, June 2, from the Kentucky cities of Elizabethtown, Shelbyville and Bardstown. WBKO-TV in Bowling Green aired 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
To honor a pledge
Tax-deductible contributions can be sent anytime:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Donations can also be made securely online on www.WHASCrusade.org.
To view a complete list of all groups that made donations to the 66th annual Crusade, go to www.WHASCrusade.org.
About the WHAS Crusade for Children
The WHAS Crusade for Children, established by WHAS-TV in 1954, raises money for schools, agencies and hospitals that make life better for children with special needs. In its first 66 years, the Crusade has raised more than $185 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 southern Indiana counties. Fire departments raise nearly 60 percent of the money each year by staging road blocks and 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.
Alphabetized list of donors
Here’s the list of fire departments, organizations, companies and individuals in alphabetized order that appeared on the 66th annual WHAS Crusade for Children.
Addyson Clarkson – Lemonade Stand $435.00
Anchorage Middletown Fire & EMS, The Forum, Worthington FD & Eastwood Fire Protection Dist. $71,118.74
Anchorage Schools – Car Pool Line collection $1,105.38
Anneta Volunteer Fire Department $2,619.93
Arami Acres Spring Fundraiser $1,601.00
Archdiocese of Louisville $273,613.00
Bagdad Fire Department $17,052.64
Ballardsville Fire & Rescue $13,627.74
Baptist Health Employee Caring Campaign $15,828.00
Bardstown City Schools $9,600.00
Bardstown Fire Department $16,679.58
Bedford Vol. Fire & Rescue $9,699.01
bench raffle winner: Debbie Aberlento
Bill Newkirk $1,634.83
Bonnieville Fire Department $10,345.66
Boone Township Volunteer Fire Department $5,464.56
Boston Vol. Fire & Rescue $8,513.05
Bradfordsville Volunteer Fire Department $2,283.81
Breeding Fire Department $2,150.00
Buechel Fire Protection District $29,051.39
Camp Taylor Fire Protection District $47,354.85
Campbellsburg Fire & Rescue $12,193.53
Campbellsville/Taylor County Fire Department $33,545.22
Central Hardin Fire Department $7,464.85
Charlestown Fire Department $62,322.22
Chillers Microcreamery $2,500.00
Clarkson Fire Department $8,303.57
Clarksville Fire Department $34,693.00
coin rack raffle winner: Brad W
Columbia – Adair County Fire Department $36,444.02
Cross Country Distributing $58,275.00
Diane Moore Dance Academy $8,200.00
East 60 Volunteer Fire Department $13,082.63
East Grayson Fire Department $7,665.95
Ekron Volunteer Fire Dept. $8,774.56
Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department $31,200.46
Elizabethtown Fire Department $30,271.68
Eminence Fire & Rescue $13,913.89
Essay contest winner: Ian Baerly
Fern Creek Fire Proteciton District $194,176.54
Flaherty Volunteer Fire Department $17,776.38
Georgetown Township Fire District $30,138.39
Girl Scout Troop 1601 & 928 $173.00
Glendale Volunteer Fire Department $2,812.08
Gravel Switch Volunteer Fire Department $1,762.98
Greater Clark County Schools $23,386.02
Greensburng-Green County Fire & Rescue $15,410.00
Greenway Shredding & Recycling $16,423.50
Hardinsburg City Volunteer Fire Department $27,133.00
Harned Fire & Rescue $30,013.13
Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department $25,567.12
Harrods Creek Fire Department $9,440.95
Heth Township Volunteer Fire Department $7,405.00
Highview Fire Protection District $90,273.76
Irvington Volunteer Fire Department $4,577.77
Jefferson County Public Schools $115,620.67
Jeffersontown Fire Protection District (Includes former McMahan FD) $115,278.12
Jeffersonville Fire Department $26,826.88
Jennings Township Volunteer Fire Department $13,776.61
Jewish Federation of Louisville Lemonade Stand $251.26
Joe Huber’s Family Farm & Restaurant $16,833.00
Kaylin Sawyer $654.50
Kelly Knoop $6,325.00
Kentuckiana Corvette Club & Moose Lodge 5 15,126.20
Kentucky 86 Fire & Rescue $14,472.00
Kentucky Amvets $2,901.48
Knifley Area Volunteer Fire Department $1,119.96
Kosair Charities $60,000.00
Kyana Car Club $12,500.00
Lafayette Township Fire Department $118,161.00
LaGrange Fire & Rescue $33,018.64
Lake Dreamland Fire Dept. $37,408.68
Lake Jericho Fire and Rescue $5,583.02
Lanesville Volunteer Fire Department $14,720.90
Larue/Hodgenville Fire Department $2,129.55
Leavenworth Crusaders $5,554.00
Lebanon Fire District $36,515.00
Lebanon Junction Fire Department $8,217.02
Leitchfield Fire Department $15,983.19
Lemonade – Lily’s Lemonade Stand $219.45
Lemonade – Nia Jackson $753.29
Lemonade Stand – Adam Harris $245.00
Lemonade Stand – Christopher & Angela Early $1,011.05
Lemonade Stand – Luke Watts $821.71
Lemonade Stand – Thomas $120.00
LG&E KU PPL Companies $232,290.00
Loretto Volunteer Fire Department $3,787.36
Lorne Ballard $20,516.11
Louisville Fire & Rescue $11,494.64
Louisville Low Riders $870.00
Louisville Metro Youth Detetion Services $301.00
Louisville Rowing Club – Adaptive Rowing $1,000.00
Louisville Street Rods $3,151.16
Louisville Triple Crown of Running $38,270.00
Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department $2,045.50
Max’s Facebook Fundraiser $335.00
McAlister’s Deli $138,322.52
McDaniels Fire and Rescue $4,576.78
Meade County Fire & Rescue $4,290.07
Metz Family in Memory of Milton $5,000.00
Micha Chandler $25.00
Milltown Volunteer Fire Dept. $20,183.00
Monroe Township Volunteer Fire District $51,500.00
Mt. Eden Volunteer Fire Department $12,765.88
Mt. Washington Fire Department $35,727.07
Muldraugh Volunteer Fire Department $2,009.57
Nelson County Fire & Rescue $14,202.23
New Albany Fire Department & Harvest Homecoming $46,183.81
New Castle Vol. Fire & Rescue $13,234.43
New Chapel Fire Company $9,399.47
New Haven/Rolling Fork Fire Department $8,916.83
New Hope Volunteer Fire Department $2,345.60
New Middletown Volunteer Fire Department $9,274.30
New Washington Volunteer Fire Dept. $24,000.87
Nichols Volunteer Fire Department $8,358.75
Northeast Nelson Fire Department $16,557.65
Norton Healthcare $128,538.40
Nuss Family $1,350.00
Okolona Fire Protection District $31,766.80
Pacers & Racers Barnyard Dash $4,500.00
Palmer Truck (Kenworth of Louisville) $13,520.00
Palmyra Volunteer Fire Department $9,739.69
Payneville Fire Department $11,118.03
PeWee Valley Fire Protection District $27,010.00
Pierce Polk Fire Department $7,105.27
Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $194,154.54
Pleasureville Volunteer Fire Department $10,270.90
Posey Township Volunteer Fire Dept. $2,683.90
Radcliff Fire Department $11,540.20
Radial $4,310.25
raffle winner: Trig
Ramsey Volunteer Fire Department $11,867.24
Rauch, Inc. $1,315.00
Raywick Volunteer Fire Department $5,130.45
Republic Bank $10,000
Rineyville Fire Department $14,766.98
Sam Swope Family Foundation $36,285.48
School Lemonade Stand $90.34
Sellersburg Volunteer Fire Department $28,056.86
Shelby County Fire and Rescue $75,044.68
Shelbyville Fire Department $20,780.96
Shepherdsville Fire Department $25,801.46
Shively Fire & Rescue $12,175.52
Simpsonville Volunteer Fire Deparment $12,883.61
Sonora Fire and Rescue $14,627.25
South Oldham Fire & Rescue $52,822.20
Southeast Bullitt Fire Dept. $16,112.23
Sparkles & Spurs $1,245.06
Springfield-Washington County Fire Department $6,260.05
St. Athanasius Beta Club $1,433.23
St. Mark’s United Church of Christ $664.63
St. Matthews Fire Protection District / Lyndon Fire Protection District $80,066.00
Stephensburg Volunteer Fire Department $5,176.17
Summersville Fire Department $6,348.25
Superior Van & Mobility $6,600.00
Taylorsville-Spencer Co. Volunteer Fire Department $32,050.00
Ted Throckmorton Memorial Golf Tournament $27,466.00
That Cute Little Shop $1,000
The Temple $5,000.00
Union Year of Giving $3,000.00
Upton Volunteer Fire & Rescue $2,670.33
Utica Township Fire Department $4,712.70
Valley Creek Volunteer Fire Department $9,311.08
Vine Grove Fire Department $16,560.93
Waddy Volunteer Fire Department $10,000.07
Wax Fire & Rescue $4,001.21
Webster Area Volunteer Fire Department $4,000.00
West 84 Volunteer Fire Department $3,887.14
West Point Fire Department & Ambulance $2,665.00
Westport Volunteer Fire Department $4,622.99
WHAS Crusade for Children Community Engagement Council $7,900.00
WHAS Crusade for Children Endowment $300,000.00
White Mills Volunteer Fire Department $2,380.50
Willisburg Fire Department $3,267.55
winner of $100 – XLG Corp
winner of $300 – Cody Wickerham
Winner of Premium Basket and Basketball: SS Shrader
Winner of Quilt: Ann Barry
winner of tool box – Jim Vockle
Woodford County Fire Department $7,003.33
Zoneton Fire Protection District $76,159.48
Running tally of donors
Here’s the list of fire departments, organizations, companies and individuals in the order that they appeared on the 66th annual WHAS Crusade for Children.
LG&E KU PPL Companies $232,290.00
Norton Healthcare $128,538.40
Louisville Triple Crown of Running $38,270.00
Jefferson County Public Schools $115,620.67
Okolona Fire Department Milwaukee Tool Shop Raffle – Winner Carolyn Spencer
WHAS Crusade for Children Endowment $300,000.00
Max’s Facebook Fundraiser $335.00
Anchorage Schools – Car Pool Line collection $1,105.38
Louisville Rowing Club – Adaptive Rowing $1,000.00
Radial $4,310.25
Sparkles & Spurs $1,245.06
Lemonade Stand – Thomas $120.00
Greenway Shredding & Recycling $16,423.50
That Cute Little Shop $1,000
Republic Bank $10,000
Lemonade Stand – Christopher & Angela Early $1,011.05
Kaylin Sawyer $654.50
Lemonade Stand – Luke Watts $821.71
Palmer Truck (Kenworth of Louisville) $13,520.00
winner of tool box – Jim Vockle
winner of $300 – Cody Wickerham
winner of $100 – XLG Corp
Arami Acres Spring Fundraiser $1,601.00
Baptist Health Employee Caring Campaign $15,828.00
Louisville Metro Youth Detetion Services $301.00
Chillers Microcreamery $2,500.00
WHAS Crusade for Children Community Engagement Council $7,900.00
Lemonade Stand – Adam Harris $245.00
Lemonade – Lily’s Lemonade Stand $219.45
Lemonade – Nia Jackson $753.29
Rauch, Inc. $1,315.00
Addyson Clarkson – Lemonade Stand $435.00
Kelly Knoop $6,325.00
Diane Moore Dance Academy $8,200.00
Milltown Volunteer Fire Dept. $20,183.00
McAlister’s Deli $138,322.52
Kosair Charities $60,000.00
Metz Family in Memory of Milton $5,000.00
Joe Huber’s Family Farm & Restaurant $16,833.00
Ted Throckmorton Memorial Golf Tournament $27,466.00
Kentucky Amvets $2,901.48
St. Mark’s United Church of Christ $664.63
Bill Newkirk $1,634.83
St. Matthews Fire Protection District / Lyndon Fire Protection District $80,066.00
Union Year of Giving $3,000.00
Nuss Family $1,350.00
Jewish Federation of Louisville Lemonade Stand $251.26
South Oldham Fire & Rescue $52,822.20
St. Athanasius Beta Club $1,433.23
Pacers & Racers Barnyard Dash $4,500.00
Girl Scout Troop 1601 & 928 $173.00
Clarksville Fire Department $34,693.00
Kentuckiana Corvette Club & Moose Lodge 5 15,126.20
Anchorage Middletown Fire & EMS, The Forum, Worthington FD & Eastwood Fire Protection Dist. $71,118.74
Kyana Car Club $12,500.00
Louisville Fire & Rescue $11,494.64
New Washington Volunteer Fire Dept. $24,000.87
Louisville Street Rods $3,151.16
Superior Van & Mobility $6,600.00
Lake Dreamland Fire Dept. $37,408.68
raffle winner: Trig
Louisville Low Riders $870.00
PeWee Valley Fire Protection District $27,010.00
Micha Chandler $25.00
Ekron Volunteer Fire Dept. $8,774.56
Shively Fire & Rescue $12,175.52
Meade County Fire & Rescue $4,290.07
Posey Township Volunteer Fire Dept. $2,683.90
Campbellsburg Fire & Rescue $12,193.53
Lorne Ballard $20,516.11
Jeffersonville Fire Department $26,826.88
Ballardsville Fire & Rescue $13,627.74
Highview Fire Protection District $90,273.76
bench raffle winner: Debbie Aberlento
coin rack raffle winner: Brad W
Jeffersontown Fire Protection District (Includes former McMahan FD) $115,278.12
Essay contest winner: Ian Baerly
Monroe Township Volunteer Fire District $51,500.00
The Temple $5,000.00
Palmyra Volunteer Fire Department $9,739.69
Okolona Fire Protection District $31,766.80
Harrods Creek Fire Department $9,440.95
Ramsey Volunteer Fire Department $11,867.24
Utica Township Fire Department $4,712.70
New Chapel Fire Company $9,399.47
Leavenworth Crusaders $5,554.00
Nichols Volunteer Fire Department $8,358.75
Southeast Bullitt Fire Dept. $16,112.23
Pierce Polk Fire Department $7,105.27
Heth Township Volunteer Fire Department $7,405.00
New Albany Fire Department & Harvest Homecoming $46,183.81
Winner of Premium Basket and Basketball: SS Shrader
Winner of Quilt: Ann Barry
Buechel Fire Protection District $29,051.39
School Lemonade Stand $90.34
Cross Country Distributing $58,275.00
LaGrange Fire & Rescue $33,018.64
Bonnieville Fire Department $10,345.66
Sellersburg Volunteer Fire Department $28,056.86
West Point Fire Department & Ambulance $2,665.00
Flaherty Volunteer Fire Department $17,776.38
Georgetown Township Fire District $30,138.39
Boone Township Volunteer Fire Department $5,464.56
Zoneton Fire Protection District $76,159.48
Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department $31,200.46
Camp Taylor Fire Protection District $47,354.85
Payneville Fire Department $11,118.03
Shepherdsville Fire Department $25,801.46
New Middletown Volunteer Fire Department $9,274.30
Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department $25,567.12
Charlestown Fire Department $62,322.22
Mt. Washington Fire Department $35,727.07
Westport Volunteer Fire Department $4,622.99
Lafayette Township Fire Department $118,161.00
Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $194,154.54
Lanesville Volunteer Fire Department $14,720.90
Jennings Township Volunteer Fire Department $13,776.61
Archdiocese of Louisville $273,613.00
Greater Clark County Schools $23,386.02
Radcliff Fire Department $11,540.20
Elizabethtown Fire Department $30,271.68
Central Hardin Fire Department $7,464.85
West 84 Volunteer Fire Department $3,887.14
Glendale Volunteer Fire Department $2,812.08
White Mills Volunteer Fire Department $2,380.50
Stephensburg Volunteer Fire Department $5,176.17
Rineyville Fire Department $14,766.98
Sonora Fire and Rescue $14,627.25
Upton Volunteer Fire & Rescue $2,670.33
Kentucky 86 Fire & Rescue $14,472.00
Vine Grove Fire Department $16,560.93
Lebanon Junction Fire Department $8,217.02
Valley Creek Volunteer Fire Department $9,311.08
Irvington Volunteer Fire Department $4,577.77
Anneta Volunteer Fire Department $2,619.93
Muldraugh Volunteer Fire Department $2,009.57
Clarkson Fire Department $8,303.57
McDaniels Fire and Rescue $4,576.78
East Grayson Fire Department $7,665.95
Harned Fire & Rescue $30,013.13
Hardinsburg City Volunteer Fire Department $27,133.00
Wax Fire & Rescue $4,001.21
Webster Area Volunteer Fire Department $4,000.00
Leitchfield Fire Department $15,983.19
Woodford County Fire Department $7,003.33
Taylorsville-Spencer Co. Volunteer Fire Department $32,050.00
Lake Jericho Fire and Rescue $5,583.02
Pleasureville Volunteer Fire Department $10,270.90
New Castle Vol. Fire & Rescue $13,234.43
Eminence Fire & Rescue $13,913.89
Bedford Vol. Fire & Rescue $9,699.01
Waddy Volunteer Fire Department $10,000.07
Bagdad Fire Department $17,052.64
East 60 Volunteer Fire Department $13,082.63
Shelbyville Fire Department $20,780.96
Simpsonville Volunteer Fire Deparment $12,883.61
Mt. Eden Volunteer Fire Department $12,765.88
Shelby County Fire and Rescue $75,044.68
Bardstown Fire Department $16,679.58
Bardstown City Schools $9,600.00
Raywick Volunteer Fire Department $5,130.45
Loretto Volunteer Fire Department $3,787.36
Gravel Switch Volunteer Fire Department $1,762.98
Bradfordsville Volunteer Fire Department $2,283.81
Lebanon Fire District $36,515.00
Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department $2,045.50
Campbellsville/Taylor County Fire Department $33,545.22
Springfield-Washington County Fire Department $6,260.05
Willisburg Fire Department $3,267.55
Larue/Hodgenville Fire Department $2,129.55
Northeast Nelson Fire Department $16,557.65
New Hope Volunteer Fire Department $2,345.60
Boston Vol. Fire & Rescue $8,513.05
New Haven/Rolling Fork Fire Department $8,916.83
Nelson County Fire & Rescue $14,202.23
Summersville Fire Department $6,348.25
Knifley Area Volunteer Fire Department $1,119.96
Greensburng-Green County Fire & Rescue $15,410.00
Columbia – Adair County Fire Department $36,444.02
Breeding Fire Department $2,150.00
Fern Creek Fire Proteciton District $194,176.54
Sam Swope Family Foundation $36,285.48