This Letter to the Editor was published in the July 20, 2018 edition of The Courier-Journal. It was written by Brennen Lawrence, chair of the WHAS Crusade for Children board and CEO of Cuddle Clones.
It is an honor and privilege to be a part of the WHAS Crusade for Children for over 30 years, initially getting involved through the fire service. For the past nine years, I have served on the board of directors, acting as the chair for the last three years. My appreciation for the generosity of the people in Kentuckiana has grown tremendously during this time.
For 65 years, the annual phenomenon known as the Crusade has been an important part of this community. Once again in June, we all came together for the kids, making it possible to award 229 grants this year, totaling $5,675,000. We are proud to continue the tradition of returning 100 percent of the contributions to hospitals, schools, and agencies throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
The Crusade Advisory Panel is a group of interdenominational ministers (rabbis, priests, pastors and reverends) who determine the grant allocations each year. This year was especially difficult, with $14.9 million in requests.
This year, charitable gifts from the people of Kentuckiana will be visible through many worthwhile projects and programs serving children with special needs. Your donations will be allocated to:
• 137 agencies and programs serving children with special needs
• 47 school districts throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana
• 14 individual schools that are not part of a district
• 16 hospitals throughout the region
• 9 capital projects
• 6 universities for scholarships designated for special education teachers
This would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of firefighters, who remain the heart of the Crusade. This effort also includes so many children, parents, churches, synagogues, businesses and schools who have personally collected. It is humbling to see the depth and breadth of the grants that are possible this year due to such great compassion. As a result, many children who have special needs will get the help they deserve.
Thank you.
Brennen Lawrence
Chair
Board of Directors
WHAS Crusade for Children
>> SEE HUNDREDS OF PHOTOS FROM CRUSADE WEEKEND ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE, CLICK HERE.
Many gather to sing “God Bless America” at the close of the 65th WHAS Crusade for Children on Sunday, June 3.
Honor your pledge and mail it to:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202
You can also donate securely online any time by clicking here.
See pictures and more on our Facebook page, click here.
See our latest postings on Twitter, click here.
Swope Family Foundation donation pushes total to $5,675,000
Pictured left to right are Crusade staff members Heather Benson, Dawn Lee, Sharon Miller, Deandra Jackson, 840WHAS Radio’s Terry Meiners, Marlys Swope, Crusade staff members John Blim, Janene Hickerson, Joan Cooper, volunteer Kathleen Blim and staff member Patti Eppinghoff.
The WHAS Crusade for Children is thrilled to announce a generous gift from Marlys Swope & the Swope Family Foundation that pushes this year’s total to $5,675,000. The offering honors the memory of Sam Swope, one of Louisville’s great philanthropists. Marlys presented the donation at the Crusade office Wednesday, June 6.
Prior to that donation, the people of Kentucky and Indiana came together and dug deep for the 65th annual WHAS Crusade for Children. Donations poured in and tallied $5,638,823.12 as America’s most successful local telethon came to a close on Sunday night.
Now last year’s total has been topped by $175,000.
Top 10 Organizations
Archdiocese of Louisville $308,000
LG&E KU PPL Companies $229,240
Norton Healthcare $133,305.78
McAlister’s Deli $110,036.14
Jefferson County Public Schools $108,202.53
Kosair Charities $100,000
Cross Country Distributing $81,198
Swope Family Foundation $36,177
Baptist Health Unified Campaign $34,159
Greater Clark Schools $29,953
Top 10 Kentucky Fire Departments
McMahan Fire Protection District $193,509.68
Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $189,307.09
Fern Creek Fire Department $120,944.51
Zoneton Fire Protection District $88,616.97
Highview Fire Protection District $86,612.31
Shelby County Fire & Rescue $83,980.70
Columbia – Adair County Fire Department $56,470.39
Okolona Fire Protection District $54,401
St. Matthews Fire Protection District $52,812.82
South Oldham Fire & Rescue $51,023.19
Top 10 Indiana Fire Departments
Lafayette Township Fire Department $111,838.00
Charlestown Fire Department $62,000
Monroe Township Fire Department $41,614.82
New Albany Fire Department & Harvest Homecoming $33,626.61
Georgetown Township Fire Department $30,464.00
Clarksville Fire Department $30,254.78
Jeffersonville Fire Dept $28,600.49
Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department $24,668.07
New Washington Volunteer Fire Department $23,902.00
Harrison Township VFD – Corydon VFD $23,428.46
New records by organizations contribute to another successful Crusade
The 30-hour Internet/radio/telethon was highlighted by a variety show, featuring the Misty Mountain String Band, hosted by WHAS11’s Rachel Platt and 840 WHAS radio’s Terry Meiners on Saturday, June 2. It concluded with Crusade volunteers crowding into WHAS-TV’s historic studio H (50 years old this year) singing the traditional “God Bless America” just before 7:00pm (EDT) Sunday, June 3, 2018.
“This was a special year. This community came together to make the 65th year very special in helping children with special needs,” said WHAS Crusade for Children President & CEO Dawn Lee following the telethon.
100 percent of $5,675,000 for the kids
In its first 65 years, the Crusade has raised more than $180 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.
New records for all three category leaders!
Nearly 60 percent of donations are collected by about 200 fire departments in Kentucky and Indiana. McMahan Fire Protection District made its final appearance on the Crusade as it will merge into Jeffersontown Fire Protection District later this year. McMahan totalled $193,509.68, a record for the district, and was best among all fire departments.
Like last year, the top Indiana fire department was Lafayette Township Fire Department with $111,838. Lafayette’s total was also a record for that department.
Also repeating from last year, the Archdiocese of Louisville as the top organization with a total of $308,000 in contributions. Also a record.
Broadcasting partners come together
The annual Crusade Internet/radio/telethon kicked off at 1:00pm (EDT) on Saturday, June 2 and aired in its entirety on the booming clear channel signal of WHAS Radio (AM 840 – heard in 38 states at night!), WHAS-TV (Channel 11.1) and worldwide on WHAS11.com.
In addition, WBNA-TV 21.1 in Louisville aired live broadcasts 12:30pm to 6:30pm Sunday, June 3 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
The WHAS Crusade for Children’s flagship radio station for 65 years, 840 WHAS carried the broadcast continuously.
Radio Network
WHAS, Louisville (flagship station)
WHAS11.com provided LIVE video streaming of the entire broadcast visible anywhere in the world. WHAS11.com also simulcast the Crusade weekend program on YouTube and Facebook Live. On WHASCrusade.org, updates were posted all weekend long and donors across the globe made secure online donations.
Internet Network
WHAS11.com
WHASCrusade.org
Honor your pledge and mail it to:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202
You can also donate securely online any time by clicking here.
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 65 years, the Crusade has raised more than $180 million. Thanks to generous contributions of goods and services, the Crusade returns 100% 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.
Who gave how much? It’s listed here
Here is an alphabetical list of fire departments, groups and organizations that appeared on the 65th WHAS Crusade for Children.
Amvets Post 61 $3,000.00
Anchorage – Middletown Fire Protection $28,840.52
Anchorage Public Schools Car Pool Line collection $526.27
Anneta Volunteer Fire Department $4,049.00
Archdiocese of Louisville $308,000.00
Baby Calendar Winner: Grayson Shumate $5,113.00
Bagdad Fire Department $12,099.61
Ballardsville Fire and Rescue $13,779.74
Baptist Health Unified Campaign $34,159
Bardstown Fire Department $14,727.92
Bedford Volunteer Fire & Rescue $8,878.17
Bill Newkirk $2,115.15
Bob Pilkington’s Family $1,290.00
Bonnieville Fire Department $11,866.70
Bonnieville Fire Department Quilt Raffle Winner – Kathy Piper
Boone Township Volunteer Fire Department $5,936.98
Borden/Wood Township FD $5,211.85
Boston Volunteer Fire & Rescue $4,728.42
Bradfordsville Volunteer Fire Department $4,606.73
Breeding Fire Dept. $2,400
Buddy Award Recipient – 2018 Leadership Louisville Ignite Team
Buechel Fire Protection District $33,524.24
Camp Taylor Fire Department (see Lake Dreamland Fire Department listing)
Campbellsburg Fire & Rescue $15,235.30
Campbellsville/Taylor County Fire Department $28,474.78
Carollton Fire Department $10,549.35
Central Hardin Fire Department $1,573.00
Charlestown Fire Department $62,000
Chillers & Zesto Ice Cream Crusade Cookie Vortex promotion $2,547
Clarkson Fire Department $4,626.68
Clarksville Fire Department $30,254.78
Cloverport Fire Department $1,698.14
Columbia – Adair County Fire Department $56,470.39
Cross Country Distributing $81,198.00
East 60 Volunteer Fire Department $12,768.35
East Grayson Fire Department $9,723.75
Eastwood Fire Protection District $18,167.80
Ekron Volunteer Fire Department $8,310.00
Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department $24,668.07
Elizabethtown Fire Department $23,443.08
Eminence Fire & Rescue $13,430.43
Fairdale Fire Department $27,005.32
Fern Creek Fire Protection District $120,944.51
Flaherty Volunteer Fire Department $18,718.45
Georgetown Township VFD $30,464.00
Girl Scout Troop 1601 & 928 $100.00
Glendale Fire Department $6,782.35
Greater Clark County Schools $29,953.00
Greater Louisville Rowing Club – Adaptive Rowing $1,250
Green County Fire & Rescue $15,175.44
Greenville Township Fire Department $16,082.39
Hanover Fire Department $1,641.55
Hardinsburg City Volunteer Fire Department $23,408.86
Harned Fire and Rescue $29,513.13
Harrison Township VFD – Corydon VFD $23,428.46
Harrods Creek Fire Department $8,780.85
Hazelwood Center (Paul Hall) $788
Heth Township Volunteer Fire Department $7,604.64
Highview Fire Department $86,612.31
Irvington Volunteer Fire Department $4,638.09
Jackie & Sarah $1,000.00
Jefferson County Public Schools $108,202.53
Jeffersontown Fire Protection District $20,409.37
Jeffersonville Fire Dept $28,600.49
Jennings Township VFD $11,629.08
Kelly Knoop and family $7,078.02
Kentuckiana Corvette Club & Moose Lodge 5 $12,572.22
Kentucky 86 Fire & Rescue $13,861.71
Kevin Adams (with Buechel Fire Protection District) $11,263.82
Knifley Area Volunteer Fire Department $826.30
Kosair Charities $100,000
Lafayette Township Fire Department $111,838.00
LaGrange Fire & Rescue $32,031.12
Lake Dreamland, Camp Taylor & Okolona Fire Departments (combined) $135,969.51
Lake Jericho Fire & Rescue $1,575.95
Lanesville VFD $17,583.49
Leavenworth Crusaders $4,332.00
Lebanon Fire District $36,003.00
Lebanon Junction Fire Department $2,669.00
Leitchfield Fire Department $14,217.49
Lemonade Stand (Addie Miller) $372.97
Lemonade Stand (Addyson Clarkson) $348.00
Lemonade Stand (Bardstown Primary School – Beth and Emme Payne) $800
Lemonade Stand (Christopher Early) $809.87
Lemonade Stand (Dylan Payne & Adam Harris) $323.44
Lemonade Stand (Eliza, Marley, & Jett Smith) $361.30
Lemonade Stand (Emma & Noah Taylor) $125.05
Lemonade Stand (Home of the Innocence) $531
Lemonade Stand (Mark and Family) $654.79
Lemonade Stand (Najaie & Selea) $447
Lemonade Stand (Nia’s Lemonade Café) $440
Lemonade Stand (Sam, Max, & Zach) $575.01
Lemonade Stand (Viviana & Evangeline) $176.75
Lexington Volunteer Fire Department $2,906.98
LG&E KU PPL Companies $229,240
Loretto Volunteer Fire Department $8,806.06
Lorne Ballard $19,402.00
Louisville Fire & Rescue $21,956.60
Louisville Low Riders $1,397.00
Louisville Street Rods $5,361.00
Louisville Triple Crown of Running $38,990
Lyndon Fire Protection District $35,295.25
McAlister’s Deli $110,036.14
McDaniels Fire and Rescue $6,418.81
McMahan Fire Protection District $193,509.68
Meade County Fire & Rescue $8,980.00
Milltown Volunteer Fire Department $11,097.22
Miracle Dancers $8,600.00
Monroe Township Volunteer Fire Department $41,614.82
Mt. Eden VFD $13,182.00
Mt. Washington Fire Department $23,425.00
Muldraugh Fire Department $6,275.38
Nelson County Fire & Rescue $12,791.81
New Albany Fire Department & Harvest Homecoming $33,626.61
New Castle Volunteer Fire & Rescue $11,830.82
New Chapel Volunteer Fire Department $6,103.37
New Haven/ Rolling Fork Fire Department $10,241.15
New Hope Volunteer Fire Department $1,866.29
New Middletown Fire Department $8,723.20
New Washington Volunteer Fire Department $23,902.00
Nichols Volunteer Fire Department $12,440.08
Northeast Nelson Fire Department $15,935.97
Norton Healthcare $133,305.78
Okolona Fire Department (see Lake Dreamland Fire Department listing)
Okolona Fire Department $2500 Milwaukee Power Tool Raffle winner – Joe Hamilton
Pacers & Racers Barnyard Dash $8,000.00
Palmyra Fire Department $9,855.39
Payneville Fire Department $17,200.27
Pewee Valley Fire Protection District $21,317.00
Pierce Polk Volunteer Fire Department $7,287.28
Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $189,307.09
Pleasureville Volunteer Fire Department $10,525.18
Probilt Automotive $500
Radcliff Fire Department $21,783.04
Radial $2,039.46
Ramsey Volunteer Fire & EMS $13,321.73
Raywick Volunteer Fire Department $4,202.89
Republic Bank $10,000
Rineyville Fire Department $16,360.00
Saint James Church $961.00
Salem Fire Department $7,800
Sellersburg Fire Department $17,500.00
Shelby County Fire & Rescue $83,980.70
Shelbyville Fire Department $21,400.00
Shepherdsville Fire Department $22,622.48
Shively Fire Department $18,935.55
Simpsonville Volunteer Fire Department $15,788.35
Sonora Fire & Rescue $10,300.03
South Oldham Fire & Rescue $51,023.19
Southeast Bullitt Volunteer Fire & Rescue $15,626.62
Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital & Frazier Rehab Institute $2,412.86
Sparkles & Spurs $1,794.25
Springfield – Washington County Fire Department $6,000.00
St. Athanasius Beta Club $1,160.68
St. Mark’s United Church of Christ $832.20
St. Matthews Fire Protection District $52,812.82
Stephensburg Volunteer Fire Department $4,467.15
Summersville Fire Dept. $6,200.93
Superior Van & Mobility $6,500.00
Swope Family Foundation $36,177
Taylorsville – Spencer County VFD $26,600.00
Ted Throckmorton Memorial Golf Tournament $17,865.00
Texas Roadhouse $1,000.00
The Temple $3,928.88
University of Louisville $6,500
Upton Volunteer Fire & Rescue $1,123.00
Utica Township Fire Department $10,468.10
Valley Creek Fire Department $15,000.00
Vine Grove Fire Department $13,773.10
VIPS (Visually Impaired Preschool Services) $1,150
Waddy Volunteer Fire Department $14,911.24
Wax Fire & Rescue $2,121.41
Webster Area Volunteer Fire Department $3,371.84
West 84 Volunteer Fire Department $5,000.00
Westpoint Fire Dept./Ambulance $3,030.64
Westport Fire Department $3,470.05
WHAS Crusade for Children Endowment $300,000
White Mills Volunteer Fire Department $3,718.00
Willisburg Fire Department $3,646.27
Woodford County FD $6,272.00
Worthington Fire Department $10,857.00
Zach Meiman – Holy Cross Student Senior Project $1,940.70
Zoneton Fire Protection District $88,616.97
The list grows and grows
Here is a growing list of fire departments, groups and organizations as they appeared on the 65th WHAS Crusade for Children.
Keep coming back, this will be updated throughout the weekend!
LG&E KU PPL Companies $229,240
Norton Healthcare $133,305.78
Hazelwood Center (Paul Hall) $788
Jefferson County Public Schools $108,202.53
Okolona Fire Dept $2500 Milwaukee Power Tool Raffle winner – Donna S. Baird
WHAS Crusade for Children Endowment $300,000
Anchorage Public Schools Car Pool Line collection $526.27
Probilt Automotive $500
Radial $2,039.46
Sparkles & Spurs $1,794.25
Lemonade Stand (Emma & Noah Taylor) $125.05
Lemonade Stand (Bardstown Primary School – Beth and Emme Payne) $800
Lemonade Stand (Addie Miller) $372.97
Greater Louisville Rowing Club – Adaptive Rowing $1,250
Republic Bank $10,000
Lemonade Stand (Christopher Early) $809.87
VIPS (Visually Impaired Preschool Services) $1,150
Lemonade Stand (Mark and Family) $654.79
Baptist Health Unified Campaign $34,159
Lemonade Stand (Najaie & Selea) $447
Chillers & Zesto Ice Cream Crusade Cookie Vortez promotion $2,547
Lemonade Stand (Nia’s Lemonade Café) $440
Lemonade Stand (Dylan Payne & Adam Harris) $323.44
Lemonade Stand (Viviana & Evangeline) $176.75
Lemonade Stand (Home of the Innocence) $531
Lemonade Stand (Sam, Max, & Zach) $575.01
Lemonade Stand (Eliza, Marley, & Jett Smith) $361.30
Lemonade Stand (Addyson Clarkson) $348.00
Cross Country Distributing $81,198.00
Kelly Knoop and family $7,078.02
Miracle Dancers $8,600.00
Milltown VFD $11,097.22
McAlister’s Deli $110,036.14
Kosair Charities $100,000
Baby Calendar Winner: Grayson Shumate $5,113.00
Ted Throckmorton Memorial Golf Tournament $17,865.00
Superior Van & Mobility $6,500.00
St. Marks United Church of Christ $832.20
Amvets Post 61 $3,000.00
The Buddy Award Recipient – 2018 Leadership Louisville Ignite Team
Bill Newkirk $2,115.15
St. Matthews Fire Dept. $52,812.82
South Oldham Fire & Rescue $51,023.19
Anchorage / Middletown Fire Protection $28,840.52
Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital & Frazier Rehab Institute $2,412.86
Kentuckiana Corvette Club & Moose Lodge 5 $12,572.22
Pacers & Racers Barnyard Dash $8,000.00
Greater Clark Schools $29,953.00
Girl Scout Troop 1601 & 928 $100.00
Louisville Low Riders $1,397.00
New Washington VFD $23,902.00
St. Athanasius Beta Club $1,160.68
Louisville Street Rods $5,361.00
Jackie & Sarah $1,000.00
Ekron Volunteer Fire Department $8,310.00
Campbellsburg Fire Dept $15,235.30
Greenville Township Vol Fire Dept $16,082.39
Palmyra Fire Department $9,855.39
Myman – Holy Cross Student Senior Project $1,940.70
Nichols Fire Protection District $12,440.08
Pierce Polk Township VFD $7,287.28
Lorne Ballard $19,402.00
Clarksville Fire Department $30,254.78
Southeast Bullitt Volunteer Fire & Rescue $15,626.62
Texas Roadhouse $1,000.00
Heth Township VFD $7,604.64
Utica Township VFD $10,468.10
Shively Fire Department $18,935.55
Lyndon Fire & Rescue $35,295.25
Georgetown Township VFD $30,464.00
Highview Fire Department $86,612.31
The Temple $3,928.88
Louisville Fire Dept $21,956.60
Jeffersontown Fire Protection District $20,409.37
Pewee Valley Fire Protection District $21,317.00
Jeffersonville Fire Dept $28,600.49
Muldraugh Fire Department $6,275.38
Meade County Fire District $8,980.00
New Albany Fire Department & Harvest Homecoming $33,626.61
Monroe Township VFD $41,614.82
Kevin Adams (with Buechel Fire Protection District) $11,263.82
Buechel Fire Protection District $33,524.24
Worthington Fire Department $10,857.00
Ballardsville Fire and Rescue $13,779.74
Payneville Fire Department $17,200.27
Lake Dreamland, Camp Taylor Fire, and Okolona VFD $135,969.51
Leavenworth Crusaders $4,332.00
New Chapel VFD $6,103.37
LaGrange Fire & Rescue $32,031.12
Knifley Fire Dept. $826.30
Summersville Fire Dept. $6,200.93
Green County Fire & Rescue $15,175.44
Breeding Fire Dept. $2,400
Elizabethtown Fire Department $23,443.08
West 84 VFD $5,000.00
Stephensburg VFD $4,467.15
White Mills VFD $3,718.00
KY 86 Fire & Rescue $13,861.71
Central Hardin Fire Department $1,573.00
Rineyville Fire Department $16,360.00
Radcliff Fire and Rescue $21,783.04
Sonora Fire & Rescue $10,300.03
Glendale Fire Department $6,782.35
Vine Grove Fire Department $13,773.10
Upton Volunteer Fire & Rescue $1,123.00
Valley Creek Fire Dept $15,000.00
East Grayson County VFD $9,723.75
Clarkson Fire Department $4,626.68
Cloverport Fire Department $1,698.14
McDaniels Fire and Rescue Dept $6,418.81
Anneta Volunteer Fire Department $4,049.00
Harned Fire and Rescue $29,513.13
Irvington Volunteer Fire Department $4,638.09
Webster Area VFD $3,371.84
Hardinsburg City Fire Dept $23,408.86
Wax VFD $2,121.41
Leitchfield Fire Department $14,217.49
Bonnieville Volunteer Fire Dept Quilt Raffle Winner – Kathy Piper
Bonnieville Volunteer Fire Dept $11,866.70
Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department $24,668.07
Zoneton Fire Protection District $88,616.97
New Middletown VFD $8,723.20
Saint James Church $961.00
Columbia – Adair County Fire Department $56,470.39
Eastwood Fire Protection District $18,167.80
Westpoint Fire Dept./Ambulance $3,030.64
Shepherdsville Fire Department $22,622.48
Charlestown VFD $62,000
Ramsey Volunteer Fire & EMS $13,321.73
Sellerburg Fire Department $17,500.00
Mt. Washington Fire Department $23,425.00
Westport VFD $3,470.05
Harrods Creek FD $8,780.85
Boone Township VFD $5,936.98
Flaherty VFD $18,718.45
Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $189,307.09
Lanesville VFD $17,583.49
Archdiocese of Louisville $308,000.00
Bob Pilkington’s Family $1,290.00
Woodford County FD $6,272.00
Lake Jericho Fire & Rescure $1,575.95
Pleasureville VFD $19,525.18
New Castle Volunteer Fire & Rescue $11,830.82
Bedford Volunteer Fire & Rescue $8,878.17
Eminence Fire & Rescue $13,430.43
East 60 VFD $12,768.35
Taylorsville/Spencer County VFD $26,600.00
Waddy VFD $14,911.24
Bagdad FD $12,099.61
Shelbyville FD $21,400.00
Simpsonville VFD $15,788.35
Mt. Eden VFD $13,182.00
Shelby County Fire & Rescue $83,980.70
The 65th Annual WHAS Crusade for Children will kick off with a Variety Show headlined by The Misty Mountain String Band. They will be joined by many other great performers including this year’s AMERICAN IDOL contestants Cody Martin and Emmy Bodner, plus 1200 and The Free Soul Effect. Many other Crusade favorites will be performing like Patrick Henry Hughes, Melissa Combs, Todd Hildreth and the Crusade Quintet, magician David Garrard, the Diane Moore Dancers, the Miracle Dancers and more!
Show time is 7:00PM (EDT) at the The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts Bomhard Theater in Louisville, KY.
Admission is FREE! Seating is first come, first served.
WHAS11’s Rachel Platt and 840WHAS Radio’s Terry Meiners will emcee the Crusade Variety Show.
The WHAS Crusade for Children telethon begins at 1:00pm on Saturday, June 2 with fire departments, civic groups, organizations and companies reporting donations. The Crusade telethon concludes at 7:00pm on Sunday, June 3. As always, it’ll air in its entirety on WHAS11 TV, 840WHAS radio and WHAS11.com.
In its first 65 years, the WHAS Crusade has raised over $175 million for children with special needs. 100% of all donations are returned in the form of grants to agencies, hospitals and schools that make life better for children with special needs.
The WHAS Crusade for Children is America’s most successful local telethon!
Misty Mountain String Band kicks it off
Thrilled and excited to be a part of the 65th Crusade, the Misty Mountain String Band will kick it all off with a free concert at the Kentucky Center’s Bomhard Theater at 7:00pm (EDT) on Saturday, June 2.
Drawing influence from old-time music, Americana, bluegrass, and songs of labor and protest, Misty Mountain
String Band doesn’t stray far from their upbringings in Kentucky and Virginia. Formed as a pickup group for an old-time camp revival, MMSB has evolved into a professional band that’s as at home playing with the Louisville Philharmonia Orchestra as at bluegrass festivals with Americana favorites. The group connects with fans of folk music around the world, sharing unique string band music written for today but informed by tradition.
MMSB has universal appeal, combining high energy with charismatic storytelling and a warm, conversational
attitude.
Fiddle / Neal Green
Bass / Derek Harris
Banjo and Mandolin / Paul Martin
Guitar / Frankie Leo
Watch the Misty Mountain String Band
Photos and entry forms for the 11th annual Crusade Children’s Calendar must be received by 4:00pm EDT April 13, 2018.
It’s the 11th annual Crusade Children’s Calendar! The WHAS Crusade for Children is creating a 15-month calendar that will begin in October, 2018.
The contest is open to children who are not older than 5-years-old by June 1, 2018.
How it works
As child photos are submitted, they will be seen here on WHASCrusade.org. People then vote for their favorite child by sending in donations to the Crusade. The child with the most donations (votes) will appear on the calendar cover. The child with the second most donations will appear on his or her favorite month. Third place will choose his or her month and so on til all months are filled. Please read the official rules below.
The Crusade will have professional photos taken of the top 16 children and those are the photos that will appear in the calendar. All children will be included in the calendar. Those who don’t make the top 16 will get day and date spots chosen in finishing order. Vote getter number 17 will get first choice of day and date, then number 18, etc.
Get started here
All entrants must fill out the Calendar Entry Form.
Follow these simple steps:
1. Read the complete rules below
2. Click on the graphics below to download the forms
3. Fill out the ENTRY form
4. Email or mail the completed ENTRY form, $25 entry fee and baby picture
Send in your child’s photo and entry forms!
Those interested, must send in one (1) child photo or CD containing one (1) child photo. The photo will not be returned.
Via Email
Email your photo, Calendar Entry Form plus the $25 entry fee to:
Deandra Jackson
To e-mail Deandra, click here
Via Postal Service
Mail your photo, Calendar Entry Form and $25 entry fee to:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Deadline
Photos and entry forms must be received by 4:00pm EDT April 13, 2018.
Questions?
Call (502) 582-7706
Read these complete rules
1. The WHAS Crusade for Children will create a 15-month calendar starting October, 2018.
2. The contest is open to children who are not older than 5 years by June 1, 2018.
3. One child photo or CD with photo and child’s name must be submitted and will not be returned.
4. Parent(s) must check the box on the ENTRY FORM RELEASE AGREEMENT allowing use of child’s image.
5. Photos & entry forms must be received by 4:00pm EDT April 13, 2018.
6. All child photos will be posted on www.WHASCrusade.org
7. The Crusade will photograph the top 16 children for calendar publication.
8. Winners will be determined by the largest monetary donation (voting by contribution).
9. All donations must be received by 4:00pm EDT May 25, 2018.
10. The winner will be featured on the calendar cover.
11. The second place winner gets first choice of a specific month.
12. The third place winner gets second choice of a specific month.
13. The fourth through 16th winners will get choice of the remaining months.
14. The winners finishing 17th and beyond will get choice of specific days in the year.
15. The top 16 finalists will receive one free 8″x10″ photo.
About the WHAS Crusade for Children
The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. established in 1954 by WHAS-TV, raises money for schools, agencies and hospitals to better the lives of special needs children. In its first 64 years, the Crusade has raised more than $175 million.
Thanks to generous contributions of goods and services, the Crusade for Children is able to return 100% 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.
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. The Crusade is the most successful and oldest local telethon in America.
Welcome to the 11th annual Crusade Children’s Calendar! The WHAS Crusade for Children is creating a 15-month calendar that will begin in October, 2018.
The contest is open to children who are not older than 5-years-old by June 1, 2018.
How it works
As child photos are submitted, they will be seen here on WHASCrusade.org. People then vote for their favorite child by sending in donations to the Crusade. The child with the most donations (votes) will appear on the calendar cover. The child with the second most donations will appear on his or her favorite month. Third place will choose his or her month and so on til all months are filled. Please read the official rules below.
The Crusade will have professional photos taken of the top 16 children and those are the photos that will appear in the calendar. All children will be included in the calendar. Those who don’t make the top 16 will get day and date spots chosen in finishing order. Vote getter number 17 will get first choice of day and date, then number 18, etc.
Get started here
All entrants must fill out the Calendar Entry Form.
Follow these simple steps:
1. Read the complete rules below
2. Click on the graphics below to download the forms
3. Fill out the ENTRY form
4. Email or mail the completed ENTRY form, $25 entry fee and baby picture
Send in your child’s photo and entry forms!
Those interested, must send in one (1) child photo or CD containing one (1) child photo. The photo will not be returned.
Via Email
Email your photo, Calendar Entry Form plus the $25 entry fee to:
Deandra Jackson
To e-mail Deandra, click here
Via Postal Service
Mail your photo, Calendar Entry Form and $25 entry fee to:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Deadline
Photos and entry forms must be received by 4:00pm EDT April 13, 2018.
Questions?
Call (502) 582-7706
Read these complete rules
1. The WHAS Crusade for Children will create a 15-month calendar starting October, 2018.
2. The contest is open to children who are not older than 5 years by June 1, 2018.
3. One child photo or CD with photo and child’s name must be submitted and will not be returned.
4. Parent(s) must check the box on the ENTRY FORM RELEASE AGREEMENT allowing use of child’s image.
5. Photos & entry forms must be received by 4:00pm EDT April 13, 2018.
6. All child photos will be posted on www.WHASCrusade.org
7. The Crusade will photograph the top 16 children for calendar publication.
8. Winners will be determined by the largest monetary donation (voting by contribution).
9. All donations must be received by 4:00pm EDT May 25, 2018.
10. The winner will be featured on the calendar cover.
11. The second place winner gets first choice of a specific month.
12. The third place winner gets second choice of a specific month.
13. The fourth through 16th winners will get choice of the remaining months.
14. The winners finishing 17th and beyond will get choice of specific days in the year.
15. The top 16 finalists will receive one free 8″x10″ photo.
About the WHAS Crusade for Children
The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. established in 1954 by WHAS-TV, raises money for schools, agencies and hospitals to better the lives of special needs children. In its first 64 years, the Crusade has raised more than $175 million.
Thanks to generous contributions of goods and services, the Crusade for Children is able to return 100% 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.
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. The Crusade is the most successful and oldest local telethon in America.
Dear Crusade friend,
I have a great story to share with you as we express gratitude during this season of giving. To the surprise of the Gaither family, Zuri came early, weighing only 2 lbs. 1 oz. Thanks to expert medical care at Baptist Health and some critical pieces of equipment funded by the WHAS Crusade for Children, Zuri’s early birth turned from concern to joy. This would not be possible without the generosity of this community!
For decades, you have made it possible for the Crusade to help millions of children. In 2017, your generosity allowed the Crusade to award grants to nearly 200 agencies, schools and hospitals that help children with special needs across Kentucky and Southern Indiana. As you prepare for the holidays, please remember Zuri and other children with special needs and make a year-end contribution to the Crusade. There are many ways you can give. Our website, WHASCrusade.org, provides information on all these opportunities:
• Send your check or charge information in the enclosed envelope to the Crusade Office
• Become a Crusade Angel through monthly automatic deductions
• Purchase a Walk of Fame brick in honor of that hard-to-buy-for individual on your list
• Purchase a Walk of Fame brick to honor the memory of someone you lost this year
• Donate appreciated stock, life insurance policies or other non-cash property
• Consider including the Crusade in your will or through a bequest
The children served by the Crusade are truly an inspiration and heroes to all of us. It is heartwarming to see beautiful Zuri featured in our annual children’s calendar, doing so well today. Thank you for being a champion for these children. As you enter the holidays, may your life be full of gratitude.
Gratefully,
Dawn Lee
Chief Executive Officer
Welcome to the 11th annual Crusade Children’s Calendar! The WHAS Crusade for Children is creating a 15-month calendar that will begin in October, 2018.
The contest is open to children who are not older than 5-years-old by June 1, 2018.
How it works
As child photos are submitted, they will be seen here on WHASCrusade.org. People then vote for their favorite child by sending in donations to the Crusade. The child with the most donations (votes) will appear on the calendar cover. The child with the second most donations will appear on his or her favorite month. Third place will choose his or her month and so on til all months are filled. Please read the official rules below.
The Crusade will have professional photos taken of the top 16 children and those are the photos that will appear in the calendar. All children will be included in the calendar. Those who don’t make the top 16 will get day and date spots chosen in finishing order. Vote getter number 17 will get first choice of day and date, then number 18, etc.
Get started here
All entrants must fill out the Calendar Entry Form.
Follow these simple steps:
1. Read the complete rules below
2. Click on the graphics below to download the forms
3. Fill out the ENTRY form
4. Email or mail the completed ENTRY form, $25 entry fee and baby picture
Send in your child’s photo and entry forms!
Those interested, must send in one (1) child photo or CD containing one (1) child photo. The photo will not be returned.
Via Email
Email your photo, Calendar Entry Form plus the $25 entry fee to:
Deandra Jackson
To e-mail Deandra, click here
Via Postal Service
Mail your photo, Calendar Entry Form and $25 entry fee to:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Deadline
Photos and entry forms must be received by 4:00pm EDT April 13, 2018.
Questions?
Call (502) 582-7706
Read these complete rules
1. The WHAS Crusade for Children will create a 15-month calendar starting October, 2018.
2. The contest is open to children who are not older than 5 years by June 1, 2018.
3. One child photo or CD with photo and child’s name must be submitted and will not be returned.
4. Parent(s) must check the box on the ENTRY FORM RELEASE AGREEMENT allowing use of child’s image.
5. Photos & entry forms must be received by 4:00pm EDT April 13, 2018.
6. All child photos will be posted on www.WHASCrusade.org
7. The Crusade will photograph the top 16 children for calendar publication.
8. Winners will be determined by the largest monetary donation (voting by contribution).
9. All donations must be received by 4:00pm EDT May 25, 2018.
10. The winner will be featured on the calendar cover.
11. The second place winner gets first choice of a specific month.
12. The third place winner gets second choice of a specific month.
13. The fourth through 16th winners will get choice of the remaining months.
14. The winners finishing 17th and beyond will get choice of specific days in the year.
15. The top 16 finalists will receive one free 8″x10″ photo.
About the WHAS Crusade for Children
The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. established in 1954 by WHAS-TV, raises money for schools, agencies and hospitals to better the lives of special needs children. In its first 64 years, the Crusade has raised more than $175 million.
Thanks to generous contributions of goods and services, the Crusade for Children is able to return 100% 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.
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. The Crusade is the most successful and oldest local telethon in America.