WHAS Crusade for Children 1954 Society
The WHAS Crusade for Children 1954 Society is a special society named to recognize the year the WHAS Crusade for Children was founded.
It recognizes those who have designated a gift by will or bequest to the WHAS Crusade for Children.
Remember the Crusade in your estate plans
Many have already remembered the Crusade in their plans but we may not be aware. If you have honored the Crusade in this way, please let us know. Each year we host a “1954 Society Dinner” to recognize and thank our 1954 Society members.
For more information:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: 502.582.7706
Fax: 502.582.7712
E-mail WHAS Crusade for Children President & CEO Dawn Lee by clicking here.
Download a 1954 Society form that you can mail to the Crusade office by clicking here.
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Watch these stories about donors who’ve included the WHAS Crusade for Children in their estate plans.
What is a bequest?
A charitable bequest is one of the easiest ways you can leave a lasting impact on our organization. A bequest may be made in your will or trust, directing a gift to the WHAS Crusade for Children.
A bequest is a gift by will of personal or real property — a legacy. A will is a legal document by which a person makes a disposition of his or her property to take effect after his or her death, and can be changed during his or her lifetime. In your will you can name the WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. to receive a charitable bequest.
How will the WHAS Crusade for Children use my bequest?
You can make an unrestricted gift, or you can restrict the use of your gift to a purpose that you designate.
An unrestricted charitable bequest provides funds that the Crusade uses for its general purposes. This type of bequest can be of greatest use because it allows the charity to determine the areas of greatest need. If you choose to make a restricted bequest, it is best to work with the Crusade in advance, so that there is assurance that we will be able to comply with the restriction.
How do you make a bequest?
A bequest can be made in several ways:
• Gift of a specific dollar amount or asset
• Gift of a percentage of your estate
• Gift from the balance or residue of your estate
Example bequest language:
1. Bequest of cash
“I bequeath the sum of $10,000 to the WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc., the use of which may be determined by the WHAS Crusade for Children Board of Directors.”
2. Bequest of a percent of the estate
“I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to the WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc.”
3. Contingent Bequest
“If my brother John Doe survives me, I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to John Doe. If John Doe does not survive me, then I devise and bequeath 20% of my residuary estate, whether real or personal property and wherever located to the WHAS Crusade for Children.”
Benefits of your bequest:
• Receive estate tax charitable deduction
• Lessen the burden of taxes on your family
• Leave a lasting legacy
Thank you for your gift to the Crusade
The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. does not render legal, tax or other professional advice. You should always seek advice from an attorney and other professional advisors when considering making a charitable gift.
Please contact Dawn Lee at (502) 582-7706 or e-mail Dawn by clicking here.
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.