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.
Following the WHAS Crusade for Children’s fiscal year end audit, here are the final tallies for the top fire departments from the 67th annual Crusade that was held August 8 & 9, 2020.
Top Kentucky Fire Departments
Fern Creek Fire Protection District $121,559.41
Jeffersontown Fire Protection District $107,654.09
Highview Fire Protection District $ 96,014.02
St. Matthews Fire & Rescue $ 93,278.75
Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $ 77,417.63
Shelby County Fire & Rescue $ 75,438.44
Ekron Volunteer Fire Department $ 64,180.97
South Oldham Fire & Rescue $ 54,896.38
Zoneton Fire Protection District $ 52,923.53
Lebanon Fire Department $ 39,125.00
Top Indiana Fire Departments
Charlestown Fire Department $ 57,667.00
Lafayette Township Fire Department $ 49,636.69
Monroe Township Volunteer Fire District $ 44,675.26
Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department $ 29,350.58
Jeffersonville Fire Department $ 20,633.40
Ramsey Volunteer Fire Department $ 19,905.38
New Albany Fire Department $ 19,821.81
Greenville Township Fire & Rescue $ 17,377.09
Milltown Volunteer Fire Departmen $ 17,330.96
Lanesville Volunteer Fire Department $ 13,240.39
Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department $10,680.48
Top Organizations and Companies
LG&E & KU Foundation $241,621.00
Archdiocese of Louisville $214,856.00
Norton Healthcare $129,302.04
Alphabetized list of Donors
Here’s an alphabetized list of fire departments, groups, organizations and companies that contributed to the 67th annual WHAS Crusade for Children.
Anchorage Middletown Fire & EMS $24,513.10
Archdiocese of Louisville $214,856.00
Bagdad Fire Department $9,638.95
Ballardsville Fire & Rescue $3,295.78
Baptist Health Employee Caring Campaign $10,000.00
Bardstown Fire Department $10,466.00
Bedford Volunteer Fire & Rescue $7,547.72
Billy Newkirk Jr. $1,869.29
Boone Township Volunteer Fire Department $3,053.86
Breeding Fire Department $1,179.00
Buddy Award in honor of Former Crusade Executive Director Bud Harbsmeier – James “Hoppy” Rochner
Buechel Fire Protection District $12,301.00
Camp Taylor Fire Protection District $25,337.00
Campbellsville – Taylor County Fire Department $28,606.00
Central Hardin Fire & Rescue $4,480.00
Charlestown Fire Department $57,000.00
Clarkson Fire Department $8,604.00
Columbia – Adair Fire Department $36,846.51
Cross Country Distributing $28,000.00
East 60 Volunteer Fire Department $9,155.58
Ekron Volunteer Fire Dept. $63,238.30
Elizabethtown Fire Department $14,139.00
Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department $29,391.00
Eminence Fire & Rescue $10,347.88
Fairdale Fire Department $8,986.95
Fern Creek Fire Protection District $119,746.03
Flaherty Volunteer Fire Department $17,746.55
Gary Doyle in honor of Peter: Virginia & Homer Hauck, Mike & Cathy (Peter’s parents; $200) $300.00
Georgetown Township Fire District $9,309.28
Glendale Volunteer Fire Department $3,087.43
Gravel Switch Volunteer Fire Department $2,211.00
Greensburg – Green County Fire Department $16,039.95
Greenville Township Fire & Rescue $14,677.41
Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Dept. $736.88
Harned Fire & Rescue $22,013.13
Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department $10,680.48
Heth Township Volunteer Fire Department $7,503.43
Highview Fire Protection District $95,867.65
In honor of Chris Landers $3,870.00
Jefferson County Public Schools $81,784.45
Jeffersontown Fire Protection District $82,359.60
Joe Federle $250.00
Joe Huber’s Family Farm & Restaurant $5,000.00
Kelly Knoop $8,270
Kentucky 86 Fire & Rescue $11,739.00
Kevin Adams $4,475.80
Kosair Charities $50,000
Lafayette Township Fire Department $48,322.00
LaGrange Fire and Rescue $14,607.11
Lanesville Volunteer Fire Department $13,215.13
Lebanon Fire District $39,115.00
Lebanon Junction Fire Department $5,552.04
LG&E & KU Foundation $241,621.00
Loretto Volunteer Fire Department $1,020.71
Louisville Fire & Rescue $13,000.00
Louisville Triple Crown of Running $9,054.25
McMahan Fire Protection District Retirees $12,500.00
Meade County Fire and Rescue $7,667.24
Meiman Family $977.77
Milltown Volunteer Fire Department $16,285
Miracle Dancers $5,047.26
Monroe Township Volunteer Fire District $45,064.71
Mt. Eden Volunteer Fire Department $8,000.00
Mt. Washington Fire Department $13,488.22
Nelson County Fire & Rescue $9,423.74
New Albany Fire Department $17,131.06
New Haven/Rolling Fork Fire Department $9,835.28
New Hope Volunteer Fire Department $1,559.01
New Middletown Volunteer Fire Department $6,632.33
Newcastle Fire & Rescue $3,530.85
Nia’s Virtual Lemonade Stand $1,500.00
Northeast Nelson Fire Department $5,981.58
Norton Healthcare $129,302.04
Okolona Fire Protection District Milwaukee Tool Shop Raffle winner – Pat Buss
Palmyra Volunteer Fire Department $7,547.00
Payneville Fire Department $11,461.29
Pewee Valley Fire Protection District $11,069.00
Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $65,536.28
Pleasureville Fire & Rescue $7,881.24
Posey Township Volunteer Fire Company $2,304.90
Radcliff Fire Department $7,250.00
Ramsey Volunteer Fire Department $18,680.38
Rauch Inc. $1,200.00
Raywick Volunteer Fire Department $2,227.10
Republic Bank $10,000.00
Republic Bank Power Hour $6,700.00
Rineyville Fire Department $12,580.00
Shelby County Fire & Rescue $75,360.47
Shepherdsville Fire Department $10,000.46
Simpsonville Volunteer Fire Department $10,239.65
Sonora Fire and Rescue $5,041.00
South Oldham Fire Department $50,865.89
Sparkles & Spurs $1,288.63
Split the Pot Winner – Penny Lyons
Springfield-Washington County Fire Department $7,882.38
St. Matthews Fire & Rescue $81,092.00
Stephensburg Volunteer Fire Department e $4,775.43
Summersville Fire Department $4,517.17
Superior Van and Mobility $6,700.00
Swope Family Foundation $36,479.00
TEGNA Foundation $10,000
The Temple $4,000.00
Tri City Van & Storage $4,000.00
Tri-Township Fire Protection District $6,195.20
Upton Volunteer Fire & Rescue $2,228.42
Valley Creek Volunteer Fire Department $12,930.00
Versailles Fire Department $1,254.28
Vine Grove Fire $9,701.00
Waddy Volunteer Fire Department $9,647.59
Webster Area Volunteer Fire Department $3,411.74
West 84 Volunteer Fire Department $2,487.02
Wilkins Family $5,723.00
Willisburg Fire Department $1,440.00
Woodford County Fire Department $1,212.61
Zoneton Fire Protection District $50,519.26
2020 WHAS Crusade for Children Grants announced
This editorial was published in The News-Enterprise in Elizabethtown on September 3, 2020.
Crusade shares every penny
The 67th annual WHAS Crusade for Children was postponed more than two months but the charity did not ask its recipients to wait for their money.
Three weeks after completing the annual telethon, the independent panel of interdenominational ministers which reviews requests from across Kentucky and Southern Indiana announced its 238 grants.
As always, every penny collected is invested in caring. Thanks to contributions of goods and services, the Crusade is able to return 100 percent of all donations to organizations that serve special needs children. The telethon raised $4.8 million and that’s what the 238 grants totalled.
The Hardin Memorial Health Foundation received a $90,000 grant which will be used to purchase pediatric equipment for the hospital’s emergency department and for new equipment in its Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which opened in 2015 and has been a frequent recipient of support from the Crusade,
The list of grants with direct local impact is significant: Hardin County Schools special education department, $40,000; HCS designated for West Point, $18,000; Boy Scouts of America, Lincoln Heritage Council, $16,500; Sunrise Children’s Services, $16,000; Special Olympics Kentucky, $15,000; CASA of the Heartland, $11,000; Elizabethtown Independent Schools, $10,000; Rachel’s Fun for Everyone splash pad project, $10,000; LaRue County Schools, $7,000; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, $5,000; and Mission Hope for Kids, $4,000.
Since it was established in 1954, the Crusade has raised more than $195 million.
The Crusade has touched local residents and people across Kentuckiana in many ways. The Crusade truly is a blessing to all it touches.
This editorial reflects a consensus of The News-Enterprise editorial board.
2020 WHAS Crusade for Children grants
The WHAS Crusade for Children announces its grants for 2020 – 2021. 238 grants have been awarded totaling $4,800,000. That matches the tote board at the conclusion of the 67th annual WHAS Crusade for Children which was rescheduled to August 8-9, 2020 due to the worldwide pandemic.
Grant funds become available as the Crusade for Children begins a new fiscal year on September 1, 2020.
100% of the $4.8 million collected this year helps make life better for children with special needs throughout Kentuckiana.
Click here to learn more about the WHAS Crusade for Children grant process.
Click here to see a recap of the 2020 67th annual WHAS Crusade for Children.
SEE HUNDREDS OF PHOTOS FROM CRUSADE WEEKEND ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE, CLICK HERE.
2020-2021 GRANTS LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
1 Adair County BOE $40,000.00
2 Allegro Dance Project $5,000.00
3 American National Red Cross $15,000.00
4 American Printing House For The Blind $9,000.00
5 Anchorage Independent School District $25,000.00
6 Appalachian Regional Healthcare $15,000.00
7 Archdiocese of Louisville $40,000.00
8 ARHHC $5,000.00
9 Art Center of the Bluegrass $1,650.00
10 Arts for All Kentucky $8,000.00
11 ArtsThrive $23,000.00
12 Asbury University-Scholarships $22,000.00
13 Baptist Health Foundation Greater Louisville $100,000.00
14 Baptist Health Foundation Madisonville $10,000.00
15 Baptist Health Foundation Paducah $25,000.00
16 Bardstown Independent Schools $11,500.00
17 Barren Heights Christian Retreat Center $6,273.00
18 Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center $9,000.00
19 Bath County Schools-Crossroads Elementary $10,000.00
20 Bell County School System $19,000.00
21 Bellarmine University- Scholarships $16,000.00
22 Bellarmine University-Program $87,000.00
23 Berea Independent School District $8,000.00
24 Best Buddies International $6,600.00
25 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana $5,000.00
26 Bluegrass Care Navigators $8,000.00
27 Bluegrass Center For Autism $30,000.00
28 Boone County Public Schools $15,000.00
29 Boy Scouts of America-Lincoln Heritage Council $16,500.00
30 Boys & Girls Club of Harrison County $3,000.00
31 Boys & Girls Clubs $9,500.00
32 Breckinridge County BOE $25,000.00
33 Bullitt County Public Schools $30,000.00
34 Burgin BOE $25,000.00
35 Camp Tessa $4,500.00
36 Camp Tessa of Meade County $5,000.00
37 Campbellsville Independent Schools $14,000.00
38 Carriage House Educational Services $61,000.00
39 Carroll County Schools $4,000.00
40 CASA By The Lakes $5,000.00
41 CASA of Lexington $14,000.00
42 CASA of the Bluegrass $6,000.00
43 CASA of the Heartland $11,000.00
44 CASA of the River Region $9,000.00
45 CASA Program For Bullitt County $16,000.00
46 Centerstone of Ky – Seven Counties $160,000.00
47 Central Kentucky Education Cooperative $35,000.00
48 Central Kentucky Riding For Hope $2,400.00
49 Cerebral Palsy KIDS Center for Ped. Therapies $20,000.00
50 Child Development Centers of The Bluegrass $2,000.00
51 Clark County Youth Shelter and Family Services $15,000.00
52 Cleveland Home -Life Adventure Center $4,000.00
53 Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club $3,000.00
54 Cloverport Independent School District $37,000.00
55 Commonwealth Theatre Center $6,000.00
56 Communities In Schools of Clark County $9,000.00
57 Community Action of Southern Indiana $10,700.00
58 Critically Loved $4,000.00
59 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation $5,000.00
60 Deaf Youth Sports Festival $13,000.00
61 Dorman Preschool Center $20,000.00
62 Down Syndrome Association of Central Ky $3,500.00
63 Down Syndrome of Louisville $16,000.00
64 Dream Riders of Kentucky $10,000.00
65 Dreams With Wings $7,500.00
66 Dyslexia Association of The Pennyrile $3,000.00
67 Easter Seals Cardinal Hill $700.00
68 Easter Seals West Kentucky $2,000.00
69 Eastern Kentucky University-Autism Therapy $5,600.00
70 Eastern Kentucky University-Scholarships $19,000.00
71 Eastern Kentucky University-Technology $15,500.00
72 Elizabethtown Independent School System $10,000.00
73 Eminence Indpendent School $23,000.00
74 Englishton Park Academic Remediation $4,400.00
75 Exploited Childrens Help Organization $11,000.00
76 Family & Children’s Place $27,000.00
77 Family Ark $16,000.00
78 Family Enrichment Center $8,000.00
79 Family Scholar House $15,000.00
80 Father Maloneys Boys & Girls Haven $79,000.00
81 Feat of Louisville $14,000.00
82 Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation $35,000.00
83 Floyd Memorial Foundation $38,031.15
84 Franklin County Schools $15,000.00
85 Friends of Canaan $12,000.00
86 Friends of Open Door Youth Services $5,700.00
87 Friends School $27,800.00
88 Fund For The Arts $6,000.00
89 Gateway Children’s Services $2,300.00
90 Gateway Community Action $4,500.00
91 Gildas Club Louisville $12,500.00
92 Graves County BOE $16,000.00
93 Grayson County Schools $12,700.00
94 Greater Clark County Schools $15,000.00
95 Green County BOE $15,000.00
96 Green Hill Therapy $15,700.00
97 Green River Area Down Syndrome Association $10,000.00
98 Green River Regional Education Cooperative $7,500.00
99 Hancock County Public Schools $8,500.00
100 Harbor House of Louisville $7,500.00
101 Hardin County – West Point Schools $18,000.00
102 Hardin County Schools Special Ed. Department $40,000.00
103 Hardin Memorial Hospital Foundation $90,000.00
104 Harlan County Public Schools $5,100.00
105 Harrison County Exceptional Learners Coop. $17,000.00
106 Hart County BOE $15,000.00
107 Henry County Public Schools $39,000.00
108 Heuser Hearing & Language Academy $26,500.00
109 Hindman Settlement School $10,000.00
110 Home of The Innocents $80,000.00
111 Hosparus -Program $30,000.00
112 Hosparus Health -Capital Project $20,000.00
113 Jefferson County Public Schools ECE Assistive Technology Program $45,000.00
114 Jefferson County Public Schools ECE Audiology and Deaf and Hard of Hearing $7,800.00
115 Jefferson County Public Schools ECE Autism Program $6,000.00
116 Jefferson County Public Schools ECE Communication Disorders $6,000.00
117 Jefferson County Public Schools ECE Early Childhood Special Services Program $5,500.00
118 Jefferson County Public Schools ECE Moderate to Severe Disabilities $60,000.00
119 Jefferson County Public Schools ECE Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy $40,000.00
120 Jefferson County Public Schools ECE Visually Impaired Program $13,170.00
121 Jeffersonville Township Public Library $3,300.00
122 Jennings County School Corporation $7,400.00
123 Jessamine County Schools $3,000.00
124 Jewish Community of Louisville $48,000.00
125 Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana $2,650.00
126 Kendyl And Friends Foundation $7,200.00
127 Kentuckiana Children’s Center $20,000.00
128 Kentucky Educational Development Corporation $8,000.00
129 Kentucky Hemophilia Foundation $5,975.65
130 Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation $20,850.00
131 Kentucky School For The Deaf $10,000.00
132 Kids Cancer Alliance $12,500.00
133 Kore Academy $6,000.00
134 Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency $5,000.00
135 LaRue County Public Schools $7,000.00
136 Lexington Hearing And Speech Center $7,000.00
137 LifeSpring Health Systems $2,500.00
138 Lighthouse Academy at Newburg $3,500.00
139 Lincoln County Schools $5,000.00
140 Madison Area Educational Special Services Unit $8,000.00
141 Madison Consolidated Schools $34,000.00
142 Make-A-Wish Foundation $9,000.00
143 Marion County Public Schools $10,500.00
144 Marty’s Orchid House $8,000.00
145 Maryhurst $30,000.00
146 Mayfield Independent Schools $11,000.00
147 Meade County Public Schools $20,000.00
148 Menifee County Schools $2,643.00
149 Meredith-Dunn Learning Center $20,000.00
150 Middlesboro Independent Schools $5,600.00
151 Mini-Versity Child Development Center $10,400.00
152 Miracle Dancer Scholarship Foundation $7,500.00
153 Miracle League of Louisville $36,000.00
154 Mission Hope For Kids $4,000.00
155 Mountain Comprehensive Care Center $10,000.00
156 Nativity Academy At St Boniface $26,750.00
157 NELCASA $8,250.00
158 Nelson County Schools $25,000.00
159 New Beginnings Therapeutic Riding $10,000.00
160 Newport Independent Schools $9,475.00
161 Northern Ky Childrens Law Center $11,000.00
162 Northern Ky Cooperative For Educational Services $3,000.00
163 Norton Children’s-Weisskopf STAR -Comprehensive Services $48,100.00
164 Norton Children’s – Infectious Diseases $18,500.00
165 Norton Children’s – Learning and Attention Disorders $36,100.00
166 Norton Children’s Hospital – Capital Request $320,000.00
167 Norton Children’s Medical Group – Pediatric Endocrinology $21,300.00
168 Norton Children’s -Pediatric Nutrition Program $38,500.00
169 Norton Children’s -Pulmonology $4,995.00
170 Oldham County BOE $40,000.00
171 Operation Open Arms $10,000.00
172 Orange County – First Chance Center $22,000.00
173 Our Lady of Providence High School $7,300.00
174 Owen County School District $6,304.00
175 Owensboro Dance Theater $12,000.00
176 Owensboro Health Foundation $32,000.00
177 Paoli Community School-Throop Elementary $20,000.00
178 Paws With Purpose $20,000.00
179 Personal Counseling Service $19,000.00
180 Pitt Academy $10,325.00
181 Providence Self Sufficiency Ministries $13,000.00
182 Puzzle Pieces $18,000.00
183 Rachels Fun For Everyone Project $10,000.00
184 Rauch $13,500.00
185 Rockcastle County Hospital $38,000.00
186 SAFY of Kentucky $3,600.00
187 Saint Joseph Berea Hospital Foundation $13,000.00
188 Saint Joseph London Foundation $80,000.00
189 Saint Joseph Mount Sterling Foundation $25,000.00
190 Shelby County Public Schools $75,000.00
191 Shriners Hospitals For Children $10,000.00
192 Society of St Vincent de Paul $15,000.00
193 South Central Area Special Education Cooperative $16,000.00
194 Spalding University $3,470.00
195 Special Olympics Kentucky $15,000.00
196 Spencer County Public Schools $30,000.00
197 Spina Bifida Association of Kentucky – Kosair $17,600.00
198 Sproutlings Pediatric Day Care & Preschool $5,728.00
199 St Josephs Catholic Orphan Society $25,000.00
200 St Josephs Catholic Orphan Society-Capital $60,000.00
201 Stage One The Louisville Childrens Theatre $5,000.00
202 Summit Academy of Greater Louisville $9,654.20
203 Sunrise Childrens Services $16,000.00
204 T J Samson Community Hospital $35,000.00
205 Taylor County BOE $32,000.00
206 TC Cherry Elementary School $20,000.00
207 Telford YMCA $8,690.00
208 The Center for Courageous Kids $35,000.00
209 The de Paul School $10,000.00
210 The Morton Center $25,000.00
211 The Point Arc of Northern Kentucky $12,000.00
212 The REATH Center $7,500.00
213 The Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East $20,000.00
214 University of Louisville – Dept of Psychology $16,000.00
215 University of Louisville – Music Therapy Clinic $9,000.00
216 University of Louisville – Peace Hospital $21,000.00
217 University of Louisville – Planetarium $4,500.00
218 University of Louisville -Ctr. for Women & Infants $84,000.00
219 University of Louisville- Scholarships $17,000.00
220 Vincennes Community School Corporation $21,000.00
221 Visually Impaired Preschool Services – Indiana $42,000.00
222 Visually Impaired Preschool Services – Lexington $42,000.00
223 Visually Impaired Preschool Services – Louisville $80,000.00
224 Volunteers of America Mid-States $36,000.00
225 Washington County Schools $9,000.00
226 Wayne County Hospital $5,000.00
227 Wendell Fosters Campus For Dev. Disabilities $24,000.00
228 West Clark Community Schools $24,873.00
229 Western Kentucky University-Kelly Autism $21,000.00
230 Western Kentucky University-Renshaw Ctr. $26,000.00
231 Western Kentucky University-Scholarships $22,000.00
232 Whitley County BOE $2,343.00
233 Wilderness Trace Child Development Center $10,000.00
234 Woodford County Public Schools $6,000.00
235 Working The Puzzle For Autism $5,000.00
236 YMCA Safe Place Services; YMCA School Aged Child Care; and YMCA for Floyd, Clark, Bullitt County $35,000.00
237 Youth Ethics And Skills Center $7,500.00
238 Youthbuild Louisville $5,000.00
TOTAL $4,800,000.00
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.
$195 million raised for children with special needs
In its first 67 years, the Crusade has raised more than $195 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. In 2020, due to the worldwide pandemic, the 67th annual WHAS Crusade for Children was rescheduled to August 8 – 9, 2020.
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.
CONTACTLESS GIVING OPTIONS
Click here to Give A Gift Online
Text CRUSADE to 50155 to make a gift via cell phone
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Mail a donation to:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Call: 502-582-7706