{"id":9021,"date":"2012-08-10T18:19:22","date_gmt":"2012-08-10T18:19:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.crusadeforchildren.org\/?page_id=9021"},"modified":"2023-06-26T15:00:10","modified_gmt":"2023-06-26T19:00:10","slug":"whas-crusade-for-children-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.whascrusade.org\/whas-crusade-for-children-history\/","title":{"rendered":"WHAS Crusade for Children history"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The WHAS Crusade for Children celebrates 70 years of making life better for children with special needs in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Since 1954, the WHAS Crusade for Children has hosted an annual radio\/telethon that has bounced around the calendar having been held in November, September, May and most recently June.<\/p>\n<p>The Crusade has a rich history of both local and national performers for the telethon including Randy Atcher, Cab Calloway, &#8220;Cactus&#8221; Tom Brooks, JoAnn Hale, Judy Marshall, Jonah Jones, Peg Leg Bates, Jerry Vale, Steve Lawrence, Donald O&#8217;Connor, Doc Severinsen, Tommy Newsom, Aaron Neville, B. J. Thomas, Bobby Rydell, C. W. McCall, Captain Kangaroo, Ken Kercheval, Hager Twins, Johnny Rivers, John Davidson, Chuck Woolery, Alan Thicke, Diahann Carroll, Della Reese, Florence Henderson, Larnell Harris, McLean Stevenson, JoAnne Worley, Merv Griffin, Pam Tillis, Tammy Wynette, Lee Greenwood, The Monarchs, Lance Burton, Peabo Bryson, Kentucky Headhunters, The Captain and Tennille, Aaron Neville and Kenny Rogers.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a year by year history of the WHAS Crusade for Children.<\/p>\n<h2>1954<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nActors Pat O&#8217;Brien and Pedro Gonzalez<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nNovember 20, 1954<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 156,725.92<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nPat O&#8217;Brien inspired participation of local Catholics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n20 agencies total<br \/>\n16 Kentucky agencies<br \/>\n4 Indiana agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nA grant given to Central State Hospital established a pilot program for intensive treatment of emotionally disturbed children. That program later became the Children&#8217;s Unit at Central State Hospital.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1955<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nDon Cherry, Eydie Gorme, Professor Backwards (Jimmy Edmonson), Rosemary DeCamp, Hal Leroy, Leo Carrillo, Ish Kabibble<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nSeptember 24, 1955<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 183,624.74<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThe U.S. Marines became the first group outside of WHAS employees to begin raising money for the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n24 agencies total<br \/>\n19 Kentucky agencies<br \/>\n5 Indiana agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe Crusade received help from over 1000 volunteers nationwide. Donations were received from over 14 states, spreading from California to Massachusetts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1956<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nCab Calloway, Steve Lawrence, Captain Kangaroo, Zippy the Chimp<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nSeptember 22, 1956<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 187,060.44<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nPleasure Ridge Park Volunteer Fire Department became the first fire department to make an appearance and donation to the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b> Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nThe first Crusade King and Queen were announced in 1956. The queen was Mickey Minshall of New Albany, IN. and the king was Lee Dean of Harrosdburg, KY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n31 agencies total<br \/>\n28 Kentucky agencies<br \/>\n3 Indiana agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nA Crusade grant provided hearing tests for 95,000 children. 2,767 of the children tested were found to need medical attention. The equipment was later used by Louisville, Jefferson County, and Jefferson County Parochial Schools to identify and find treatment for students with hearing disabilities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1957<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nHomer and Jethro, Sergeant Preston (Richard Simmons), Jonah Jones<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nSeptember 21, 1957<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 178,210.45<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nFor the first time, a child&#8217;s head was used as the Crusade logo. WHAS TV Art Director, Dave Dumeyer created the logo using a drawing of his son David Dumeyer, Jr.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Don Peterson, Louisville, KY.<br \/>\nQueen: Pat Dodson, Louisville, KY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n35 agencies total<br \/>\n29 Kentucky agencies<br \/>\n6 Indiana agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nA grant was given to establish a rehabilitation center for Southern Indiana. The center later became Rauch Rehabilitation Center.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1958<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nJimmy Nelson, Marvin Miller, Bobby Hackett, Gretchen Wyler<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nSeptember 20, 1958<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 188,751.37<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nPleasure Ridge Park Volunteer Fire Department issues a challenge and inspires other fire departments to raise money for the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Harold Roberts, Louisville, KY.<br \/>\nQueen: Norma Farris, Lexington, KY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n34 agencies total<br \/>\n30 Kentucky agencies<br \/>\n4 Indiana agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nGrants from the 1958 Crusade went to establish the Southeastern Rehabilitation Center in Clark County, IN and a vision screening program for Louisville City Schools.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1959<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nLee Marvin, Peg Leg Bates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nSeptember 26, 1959<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 197,372.13<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nGod Bless America becomes the official closing song of the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: B.T. Kimbrough III, Louisville, KY.<br \/>\nQueen: Sharon May Conley, Louisville, KY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n35 agencies total<br \/>\n28 Kentucky agencies<br \/>\n7 Indiana agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nSince joining the Crusade, Louisville Area Catholics continued to be the highest contributor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1960<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nPopeye, Dick Roman, Molly Bee, John Bubbles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nSeptember 24, 1960<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 208,174.27<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\n25,000 people turn out at the Water Front to kick off Crusade Month with Louisville Mayor Bruce Hoblitzell. Ronald Reagan, Gene Autry, Jackie Robinson, and Ann Landers record promotional pieces for the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Gary Hume, Louisville, KY.<br \/>\nQueen: Sherrie Johnson, Sheperdsville, KY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n39 agencies total<br \/>\n31 Kentucky agencies<br \/>\n8 Indiana agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe first scholarships are awarded to special education teachers at the University of Kentucky.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1961<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nJohnny Nash, The Eddie Heywood Trio<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nSeptember 23, 1961<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 231,136.66<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThe quest to become the Crusade Queen did not happen for one Kentucky girl. This beautiful blonde would later become one of the world&#8217;s leading broadcasters. The 2nd place finisher in the 1961 Crusade Queen contest was ABC&#8217;s Diane Sawyer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Bill Haas, Louisville, KY.<br \/>\nQueen: Sherry Sizemore, Vernon, IN.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n45 agencies total<br \/>\n37 Kentucky agencies<br \/>\n8 Indiana agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\n70 Volunteer Fire Departments have joined in the efforts to raise money for the Crusade. In 1961 over $4000 in grant money was given to research the causes of mental retardation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1962<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nBuffalo Bill, The Chipmunks, Cozy Cole<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nSeptember 22, 1962<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 256,649.90<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThe Inaugural WHAS Crusade For Children march took place with Nelson Keyes leading the way.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Gary L. Harden, Louisville, KY.<br \/>\nQueen: Phyllis Ann Hewitt Louisville, KY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n45 agencies total<br \/>\n36 Kentucky agencies<br \/>\n9 Indiana agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe original challenge made by Pleasure Ridge Park Volunteer Fire Department worked and encouraged other departments to get involved. Their challenge worked so well that in 1962 St. Matthew&#8217;s Fire Department raised more money than any other department. For the first time, PRP was beaten by $ 74.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1963<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nHenry &#8220;Red&#8221; Allen, The Irvin Twins, June Valli, Johnny Johnson<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nSeptember 21, 1963<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 289,095.69<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nOn the 10th anniversary, the Crusade received it&#8217;s first major award. University of Louisville President, Dr. Phillip Davidson presented the UofL Award of Merit to WHAS President, Vic Sholis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Larry Donoho, Louisville, KY.<br \/>\nQueen: Linda Graham, Louisville, KY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n45 agencies total<br \/>\n37 Kentucky agencies<br \/>\n8 Indiana agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nMrs. Susan McLeod of Woodford County, KY. was the first to leave a donation to the Crusade in a will. Mrs. McLeod left $ 5000 to the Crusade through the Versailles\/ Woodford County Fire Department.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1964<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nDon Goldie, Jack Haskell<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nSeptember 26, 1964<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 311,862.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nFor the first time ever it rained on Crusade Sunday. The rainy day didn&#8217;t stop the fire fighters from coming in to make their donations and grabbing a bite to eat. It was estimated that Crusade Volunteers eat 500 lbs of ham and beef, drink 7,000 cups of coffee, 175 cases of soft drinks and use 60 loaves of bread during Crusade weekend.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Wesley McAfee, Taylorsville, KY.<br \/>\nQueen: Barbara Ann Meeks, Louisville, KY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $259,147.47<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $56,326.83<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nA $90,000 grant given to establish a heart lab at Children&#8217;s Hospital was the largest single grant ever given by the Crusade at this point. The grant was used to purchase a heart machine to treat special needs children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1965<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nBobby Lewis, Doc Severinsen, Grady Nutt<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nSeptember 25, 1965<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 354,620.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nLouis J. Schueler of Henderson Electric donates an electrical tote board. Grady Nutt coins the WHAS phrase, We Have All Shared.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: David Marasco, Louisville, KY<br \/>\nQueen: Kaye Moore, Louisville, KY<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n43 agencies helped<br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $285,267.31<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $53,683.24<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe Crusade telethon begins to extend it&#8217;s hours. No longer the standard 16 hours, Crusade 12 ran 19.5 hours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1966<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nDoc Severinsen, Paula Wayne<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nSeptember 24, 1966<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 415,592.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nCrusade volunteers have a moment of silence for tote board designer, Louis Schueler who died at the age of 56. General Electric&#8217;s Appliance Park employees make their first donation to the Crusade in the amount of<br \/>\n$ 20,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Charles Wolverton, Louisville, KY.<br \/>\nQueen: Susan Stevens, Louisville, KY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n44 agencies helped<br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 333,444.26<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 72,285.32<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe participation of fire departments becomes very important to the amount of money raised. The 85 fire departments who donated to the 1966 Crusade collected almost 50% of the total amount raised.Redman Indiana Fire Department became the first Indiana Fire Department with the highest overall total.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1967<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nClark Terry and Marilyn Maye<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nSeptember 23, 1967<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 481,493.93<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nCrusade 14 hits the television airwaves as the longest running telecast of a single show at 20.5 hours. Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Chief Ernest E. Bohler who initiated fire department involvement loses his battle to cancer at the age of 55.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Mike Mitchman, Louisville, KY.<br \/>\nQueen: Candy Tilley, Louisville, KY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n45 agencies total<br \/>\nKentucky agencies $ 394, 080.80<br \/>\nIndiana agencies $ 92,249.08<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nA $ 26,900 grant given to the University of Louisville Medical School to start a WHAS Crusade For Children Hearing and Speech Center.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1968<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nJohnny Hartman, Jo Ann Hale, Linda Bennett, Judy Marshall, Sherry Sizemore<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nSeptember 21, 1968<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 538,312.64<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nCrusade 15 was the first to bring in over a half million dollars in donations. In 1968 no major act was scheduled to appear. The community was so dedicated to the Crusade they would give no matter what talent would peform.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Mark Brenner, Louisville, KY.<br \/>\nQueen: Robbie Lynn Holcomb, Louisville, KY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n50 agencies total<br \/>\n40 Kentucky agencies<br \/>\n10 Indiana agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nBy 1968, Crusade grants had provided over 1000 scholarships to teachers of special needs children. GE Employees became the leading donor group by raising $ 40,000, $ 562 more than the previous leader, Catholic Archdiocese.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1969<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nDiana Trask, Hal Frazier, Bobby Lewis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay 24, 1969<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 547,764.76<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nIn December, 1968 Crusade directors make the decision to move the Crusade to May because of conflict with the United Way Campaign. Fund raising time was cut to five months, but volunteers surpassed the previous year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Steve Johnson, Louisville, KY.<br \/>\nQueen: Colette Skinner, Louisville, KY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n56 agencies total<br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 457,719.72<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $86,393.93<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nA Crusade grant helped establish the first school for autistic children in Louisville.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1970<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nChuck Woolery, Merv Griffin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay 23, 1970<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 578,252.20<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nFather Felix Pitt, the last original member of the Crusade panel retires. Rev Irvin Moxley replaces Father Pitt, becoming the first African American on the ministers panel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Herbert Thornton, Louisville, KY.<br \/>\nQueen: Joann Cook, Louisville, KY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n58 agencies total<br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 482,886.88<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 98,143.28<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nCrusade grants were given to St. Joseph&#8217;s and General Hospitals to establish the first fetal heart units in Kentucky..<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1971<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nClyde McCoy, Urbie Green, Frank Linkenberg<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay 22, 1971<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 633,027.37<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nCrusade donations continue to increase each year. 97 fire departments collected for the 1971 Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Herbie Bruce<br \/>\nQueen: Donna M. Elroy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies $ 508, 024.26<br \/>\nIndiana agencies $ 112,947.19<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nGeneral Electric&#8217;s Appliance Park employees contribute $ 45,000 to the Crusade. It was the first time an outside group collected more than the Louisville Archdiocese.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1972<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nNo national entertainers participated in Crusade 19<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay 20, 1972<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 640,266.39<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nCrusade telethon runs it&#8217;s longest time length at 22 hours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 541,826.35<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 117,440.03<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nAnother Crusade grant was given to support the Children&#8217;s Hospital Heart Lab. As of this Crusade, the University of Louisville School of Medicine has received $ 973,748.00 in Crusade grant money.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1973<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nMarla Adams, McLean Stevenson, Jo Anne Worley<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay 19, 1973<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 756,398.40<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nInmates in the Oldham County Jail collect for the Crusade and a jailer brings in their contribution of<br \/>\n$ 4.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Bill Aubrey<br \/>\nQueen: Sheila Vierling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 567,898.80<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 182,173.65<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nFire Departments continue to be the back bone of the Crusade collecting a total of $ 350,000.00.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1974<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nTommy Leonetti, Mary Stuart, Arnie Lawrence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay 18, 1974<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nMemorial Auditorium, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 814,304.20<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\n1974 was the year a tornado hit Brandenburg, KY destroying everything in its path. Fire departments and residents of Brandenburg continued to support the Crusade with a donation of $ 2,356.49<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Earl Gaar<br \/>\nQueen: Teresa Grace<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 678,010.88<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 176,272.76<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nFire Departments that raise money for the Crusade bring their donations in to Memorial Auditorium and present them on live television. Because of the increasing number of fire departments supporting the Crusade, staff members begin assigning time slots in 1974. Some departments refused their assigned time because they wanted to stay at the road blocks longer to raise more money for the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1975<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nTommy Newsom, Arnie Lawrence, Art Pepper<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay 17, 1975<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Studio, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 903,943.16<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\n1975 was the last year for the Crusade King and Queen contests. For the first and only time in Crusade history, the Crusade was broadcast statewide on KET.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade King and Queen<\/b><br \/>\nKing: Roger Blankenship<br \/>\nQueen: Nellie Joseph<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 700,028.25<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 228,015.76<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe Crusade moved to the WHAS Television building because of a stagehand strike at Memorial Auditorium. The Stagehand Union would not allow the production of the Crusade. The move was the first time the Crusade would be in an air conditioned building but the seating was cut from 1,000 to 160 people.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1976<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nBobby Rydell, C.W. McCall, Janet DuBois, Dominic Spera<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay, 1976<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Studio, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 919,432.44<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Television builds a new set adding to the Crusade excitement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 713,227.60<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 259,228.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nPhyllis Knight is appointed to the newly created position of Executive Director and Producer for the WHAS Crusade For Children. It is the first time a year round paid position was dedicated to raising funds for the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1977<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nJim Stafford, Helen Hume, Jeanne C. Riley<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay, 1977<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Studio, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 1,090,318.48<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThis was the first Crusade to raise over $ 1 million.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 906,532.89<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 208,425.52<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nLake Dreamland Fire Department brought boots and buckets full of change and currency to push the Crusade over the $1 million mark.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1978<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nDiahann Carroll<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay, 1978<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Television, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 1,243,500.74<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThe WHAS Crusade For Children celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1978. Reynolds Aluminum donated thousands of aluminum posters engraved with the Crusade logo to distribute to the thousands of Crusade supporters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 1,000,622.55<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 229,679.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe following people were honored for their 25 years of service to the Crusade:<br \/>\nJim Walton<br \/>\nCarmel Cullen<br \/>\nJoe Laffoon<br \/>\nHenrietta Laffoon<br \/>\nTed Throckmorton<br \/>\nJack Koch<br \/>\nBob Pilkington<br \/>\nDick Sweeney<br \/>\nDave Dumeyer<br \/>\nOmer Tucker<br \/>\nSam Gifford<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1979<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nDella Reese, Tim Reid, Captain Kangaroo, Bobby Rydell<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay, 1979<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Studio, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 1,284,118.70<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nFor the past 26 years, Jim Walton served the Crusade as emcee. Jim retired after Crusade 26 in 1979.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 1,055,568.03<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 204,672.49<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nFire Departments got creative in raising money for the 26th Crusade. Local departments sold kisses to women for $1 to help raise their total donation of $660,000.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1980<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nFour Aces, Ken Kercheval, Helen Humes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay 17, 1980<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Studio, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 1,439,927.90<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Radio personality Wayne Perkey replaces the retired Jim Walton as Crusade Emcee. The WHAS Crusade For Children is incorporated as a non-profit organization. Fern Creek Volunteer Fire Department initiates Blood Sunday. As supporters brought in pledges for the Crusade, they also donated a pint of blood to the American Red Cross.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 1,225,866.09<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received 257,547.03<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nFor the first time, the Crusade reaches over 24 hours of continuous coverage. With a donation of $72,250 the Louisville Archdiocese had raised over $1 million for the WHAS Crusade For Children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1981<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nRobert Walden, Marilyn Michaels, Gordon MacRae<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay 17, 1981<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Studio, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 1,584,307.96<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\n120 Fire Departments help the WHAS Crusade For Children raise over $ 1.5 for the first time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 1,322,675.23<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 216,637.19<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nBroadcasting pioneer and Crusade Executive Director Phyllis Knight retired in 1981. WHAS Television reporter Bud Harbsmeier is named in her place.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1982<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nBobby Rydell, Four Freshman, Frank Bonner, Cullowhee, Archie Campbell<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay 22, 1982<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Studio, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 1,665,079.66<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nPleasure Ridge Park Fire Department donates a surprising $ 166,000. PRP resident, Norine Durbin left a donation of $97,000 through PRP Fire Department to the Crusade. PRP Fire Chief R.K. Back kept the will a secret until he announced it on the show.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 1,440,047.36<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 5,345.71<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nA grant given to Children&#8217;s Hospital for $ 155,000 was used to purchase an electron microscope. The Hospital was the first in the area to have this state of the art medical equipment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1983<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nJohnny Rivers, Hager Twins, Sonny Shroyer, Mary Lynn Blanks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay 18, 1983<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Studio, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 1,849,752.18<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nIn 1983 the Crusade celebrated the 30th anniversary with the first Crusade Ball. During the celebration, WHAS Television owner Barry Bingham, Jr. performed with the Hager Twins.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 1,616,527.04<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 226,111.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe following people received awards for 30 years of service to the Crusade:<br \/>\nJoe &amp; Henrietta Laffoon<br \/>\nCarmel Cullen<br \/>\nJim Koch<br \/>\nSam Gifford<br \/>\nBob Pilkington<br \/>\nDick Sweeney<br \/>\nDave Dumeyer<br \/>\nTed Throckmorton<br \/>\nJack Topmiller<br \/>\nDave Jones<br \/>\nClarence Hash<br \/>\nOmer Tucker<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1984<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nJerry Vale, Terri Gibbs, Hager Twins, Srgo Brothers, Johnny Lytle, Glenn Osser, Krista Tesreau<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay 19, 1984<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Studio, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 1,988,131.85<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nMontgomery Volunteer Fire Department joins the Crusade, extending the Crusade services to Eastern Kentucky.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 1,836,668.01<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 251,260.23<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nFor the first 31 years of the Crusade members of the U.S. Marine Reserve Unit provided security during Crusade weekend. Because of a conflict in summer boot camp, the Marines were not able to participate in Crusade 31. The Jefferson County Sheriff&#8217;s department joined the Crusade in place of the Marines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1985<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nJohn Davidson, Terri Gibbs, Eddie Miles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nMay 18, 1985<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Studio, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 2,340,821.60<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nCrusade 32 hits the $2 million mark. It took 24 years for the Crusade to reach the million dollar mark and eight to go from $1 million to $2 million. Ford Motor Company and Jefferson County School employees join the Crusade to help raise the $ 2 million.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 2,085,431.27<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 230,742.22<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe largest single donation made to the Crusade was given by Peggy J. Smith. Ms. Smith left a $ 207,000.00 gift to the Crusade after her death. The only television station helicopter in the market, WHAS TV&#8217;s Sky11 was used to help collect money around the states. A photographer would fly to the different cities and record the fire department donations. He would then bring them back to the station for broadcast. This allowed the fire departments to stay in their areas in case of an emergency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1986<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nJohn Schneider, Billy Joe Royal<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 7, 1986<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Studio, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 2,440,507.50<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThe Bingham Family of Louisville, KY sells their media properties in 1985. Included in the properties were WHAS Television, WHAS Radio, and the Louisville Courier Journal. In the 33 years of the Crusade under the Binghams, almost $27 million was raised to help Kentuckiana&#8217;s special needs children. Barry Bingham, Sr thanked the supporters and volunteers of the Crusade and asked for the community to continue to support the Crusade under the new owners.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 2,317,550.39<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 290,427.74<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nIn October, 1985 former Crusade emcee Jim Walton dies at the age of 68. An award to honor fire departments for their commitment to the Crusade was named in his honor. The first recipient of the Jim Walton Memorial Trophy was given to Columbia\/Adair County Volunteer Fire Department in 1986.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1987<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nFlorence Henderson, Rizzuto Sisters, Kassie Welsey<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 6, 1987<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Studio, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 2,300,082.53<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThe Crusade broadcast continued to expand throughout the state. Crusade 34 took advantage of the equipment used for every day news casts. Sky11 flew to 4 counties. The station&#8217;s satellite uplink truck broadcast live from Elizabethtown, KY. Another production truck was borrowed from Ft. Knox to broadcast live Saturday night. Bullitt County and surrounding area fire departments were able to make their donations live from Bullitt County.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n148 agencies total<br \/>\nKentucky agencies received $ 2,239,882.02<br \/>\nIndiana agencies received $ 257,027.46<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nIn 1986 the Archdiocese of Louisville, Pleasure Ridge Park Volunteer Fire Department, and General Electric&#8217;s Appliance Park employee&#8217;s were honored for their contributions to the Crusade. Each group had given over one million dollars each to the WHAS Crusade For Children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1988<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nLittle Anthony, Larnell Harris<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 4, 1988<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Studio, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 2,504,878.94<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nMore counties than ever before participated in the 35th Crusade. WHAS TV and WHAS Radio heavily promoted the Crusade and extended their resources to reach every person possible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n150 agencies total<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nFormer founder and owner of WHAS Radio, WHAS Television, and the Courier Journal Barry Bingham, Sr. died at the age of 82 on August 22, 1988.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1989<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nGary Morris, Larnell Harris<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 3, 1989<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nSaturday:Kentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville<br \/>\nSunday: WHAS Studio, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 3,037,400.86<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nFor the first time Crusade Saturday Night was performed from the Kentucky Center for the Arts. The evening consisted of a night of country and gospel music performances. Crusade Sunday returned to WHAS Studios for fire department donations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n161 agencies total<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nPeople across Kentuckiana remembered the WHAS Crusade For Children in their wills. Over $ 400,000.00 was bequeathed to the Crusade in 1989.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1990<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nB.J. Thomas, Cumberlands, Ron McCroby<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 2, 1990<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 2,807,948.09<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThe 37th Crusade was plaqued by a series of severe thunderstorms that caused major damage in the Louisville metro area and surrounding counties. The Saturday night concert was cut short because of the threat of a tornado landing in the area. Many fire departments were forced to cut their fundraising efforts short because of the damage caused by the weather.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n173 agencies total<br \/>\n33 Kentucky counties received grants<br \/>\n9 Indiana counties received grants<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nWith the 2.8 million dollars raised in 1990, the Crusade has given over 37.5 million dollars to agencies helping special needs children. Grants given in 1990 include:<br \/>\n$ 433,860 to UofL School of Medicine and<br \/>\nSchool of Education<br \/>\n$ 408,589 to to Kosair Children&#8217;s Hospital<br \/>\n$ 300,472 Jefferson County Public Schools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1991<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nBobby Goldsboro, Pam Tills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 1, 1991<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 2,911,000.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nMore corporations join the WHAS Crusade For Children in 1991. For the first time employees from the Kroger Company, Louisville Gas &amp; Electric, and the Ford Motor Company make contributions to the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n177 agencies total<br \/>\nA grant given to the UofL School of Medicine was used to start a genetics lab. A bone marrow transplant department at Kosair Children&#8217;s Hospital was also started with the aid of a grant from the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nOver 150 fire departments collect money for the WHAS Crusade For Children. Fire fighter coordinators are a group of firemen who arrange the location and time for fire departments to make their donations. The coordinators for 1991 were:<br \/>\nBill Greenwell, Chief Coordinator<br \/>\nBuddy Head, Oldham County, KY<br \/>\nBuddy Bomar, Hardin County, KY<br \/>\nEd Yount, Central Kentucky<br \/>\nDon Allen, Floyd County, IN<br \/>\nPaul Brooks, Shelby County, KY<br \/>\nBill Renninger, Jefferson County, KY<br \/>\nTom Wolfschlag, Jefferson County, KY<br \/>\nTom Boisvert, Jefferson County, KY<br \/>\nGart Doyle, Jefferson County, KY<br \/>\nEd Meiman, Jefferson County, KY<br \/>\nDell Martsellar, Jefferson County, KY<br \/>\nDon Stewart, Allen County, KY<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1992<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nAlan Thicke<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 6, 1992<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 3,264,400.08<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nEastern Kentucky counties increased their involvement in the Crusade. Pike County, Kentucky&#8217;s most eastern county contributes to the Crusade. Eastern Kentucky counties contributed $100,000 in 1992 compared to $20,000 in 1991.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n184 agencies total<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe WHAS Crusade For Children was able to fund agencies in 116 of Kentucky&#8217;s 120 counties. 60 counties in Indiana received help from agencies funded by the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1993<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nCaptain and Tennille, David Ledingham<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 5, 1993<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 4,500,000.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThe 40th celebration of the Crusade started off with a donation of $735,696.92 in November of 1992. Johnny Pack,a Meade County farmer left the donation to the Crusade in his will. Mr. Pack was a bachelor who kept to himself. Why he left such a large donation to the Crusade was unknown, but much appreciated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n191 agencies total<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe following people were honored for 40 years of service to the Crusade:<br \/>\nMilton Metz<br \/>\nDave Dumeyer<br \/>\nJoe and Henrietta Laffoon<br \/>\nCarmel Cullen<br \/>\nPaul Semones<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1994<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nBrenda Lee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 4, 1994<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 3,948,732.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nCrusade 41 was the longest Crusade in history. The show did not go off air until 5:15am Monday, June 6, 1994. Fire Departments raised over 60% of the total contributions. Recipients of the Walton Trophy were: Versailles\/Woodford County Fire Departments, Highview Fire Department, and McMahan Fire Department.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n154 agencies total<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe UofL School of Medicine received the largest grant in 1994. A grant over $1 million was given to UofL&#8217;s Pediatric Division and Children&#8217;s Hospital. An emergency grant was later given to a hospital in LaGrange, KY for pediatric ward equipment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1995<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nTammy Wynette<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 3, 1995<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 4,076,078.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nNational City Bank joined the Crusade for the first time in 1995. &#8220;The Money Room&#8221; was created and ran by over 200 National City volunteers who helped process every check and currency and banked by Monday morning. Crusade supporters contributed 4,219,694 pennies that added to the 45,000 lbs or 22.5 tons of change given to the Crusade in 1995.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n160 agencies total<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kroger Company donated the largest amount of $265,085 to Crusade 42. Kroger stores throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana raise money for the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1996<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nDoug Stone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 1, 1996<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 4,948,324.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nTornado damage in Bullitt County keeps some fire departments busy during Crusade weekend. Other fire fighters extend their collections to help out those working through the destruction caused by the tornadoes. Fire departments raised over 60% of the total contributions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n166 agencies total<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nChief Fire Coordinator Bill Greenwell retires and passes the position to Colonel Joe Bowman of Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Department. Bill&#8217;s hardwork was greatly appreciated by all.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1997<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nSteve Wariner<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 7, 1997<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 5,027,800.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nWeather continues to effect the Crusade. The Flood of 1997 washed out many fire departments in the southern parts of Kentucky. Other fire fighters moved in to help recover from the loss of southern departments. The Archdiocese of Louisville is awarded for being the first group to raise a total of $3 million for the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n159 agencies total<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nWHAS Television is purchased by the Belo Corporation based in Dallas, Texas. Belo immediately contributes to the Crusade and places a corporate officer on the Crusade Board of Directors. WHAS Radio leaves the building located at 6th &amp; Chestnut but promises continued support to the Crusade from their new location in the Newburg area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1998<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nRicky Skaggs and the Bluegrass Band, Mila Mason<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 6, 1998<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 5,508,243.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nHighview Fire Department Crusade Representative Bill Nord announced their donation total with great excitement. For the first time ever, Highview defeated PRP&#8217;s contributions with a grand total of $252,800.05. A friendly competition between the two departments had existed for years. Finally, Highview came out on top.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n181 agencies total<br \/>\nA one million dollar grant given to Kosair Children&#8217;s Hospital was used to update the Crusade Heart Lab. This was the first million dollar grant given to any single agency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nIn June of 1998 long time Crusade supporter and WHAS Television personality, Fred Wiche lost his battle with cancer. The community responded with a huge outpouring of memorial gifts to the Crusade totaling several thousand dollars.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>1999<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nRiders in the Sky, Larnell Harris<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 5, 1999<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 5,952,958.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nFor the first time a Crusade group collected over $ 400,000. That group, Highview Fire Department, collected more than any other group in the history of the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n188 agencies total<br \/>\nA grant given to University of Louisville Hospital was used to help in the $6 million renovation at the hospital. The new ward was named the WHAS Crusade For Children Pediatric Unit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nLong time Crusade Emcee Wayne Perkey retired in 1999. Crusade 46 was his last television appearance. A portion of Crusade Saturday Night was dedicated to Perkey&#8217;s 22 years of service to the Crusade. WHAS Radio personality Terry Meiners was selected as Perkey&#8217;s replacement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2000<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nBryan White, Tommy Newsom<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 3, 2000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nBrown Theatre, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 6,067,040.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThanks to the help of Crusade volunteer, Bob Schlenk, the Crusade entered a float in the Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Parade. The float received the Festival Director&#8217;s Award.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n191 agencies total<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nCrusade Executive Director Bud Harbsmeier retired in December of 2000. Bud served the Crusade as Executive Director from 1982 to 2000 helping to raise over 61.1 million dollars. One of Bud&#8217;s lasting legacies is the participation of the WHAS Crusade For Children in the Kentucky Employee Charitable Campaign. This gives state employees the option to select the Crusade as their charity of choice for payroll deduction. Dan Miller was named as Bud&#8217;s predecessor. Dan was Program Director at WHAS TV for 11 years and had served as a Crusade Board Member and producer of the Crusade show since 1986.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2001<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nLee Greenwood<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 2, 2001<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 6,249,958.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nJohn McCain, a dedicated Crusade volunteer from Highview Fire Department received the first Buddy Award. The award, named after former Crusade Executive Director Buddy Harbsmeier, was presented to a volunteer who exemplified the true spirit of the Crusade. The award was presented to John&#8217;s widow, Jerre.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n201 agencies total<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe Crusade Panel of Ministers agreed to give the Home of the Innocents $1,000,000.00 over three years to finalize their capital campaign to build a new facility. Kosair Children&#8217;s Hospital received nearly one million dollars to grants in 2001 as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2002<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nThe Monarchs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 1, 2002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 6,262,173.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nPeople across the globe could watch the 2002 Crusade for Children telecast via the internet. People could log on the net and make donations as they watched the Crusade on the world wide web.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n174 agencies received grants from the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe largest grant recipient was Kosair Children&#8217;s Hospital receiving over one million dollars. Kosair is one of the nation&#8217;s leading Neo-natal Intensive Care Units thanks to grants from the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2003<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nKenny Rogers, The Neville Brothers and Master Magician Lance Burton<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 7, 2003<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky Center for the Arts, Whitney Hall, Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$6,307,583<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThe Crusade achieved a magical milestone at 7:44pm (EDT) on Sunday, June 8, 2003 when Deimitri Miles, the 10-year-old son of Jeffersonville Fire Department Major Clark Miles, took a $1 bill from his father and handed it to someone standing in line next to him.<\/p>\n<p>The dollar passed through the hands of volunteers, firefighters and police officers into WHAS-TV Studio H to finally reach 7-year-old Naudica Anderson whose eye, and motor skills are related to cerebral palsy. She gently tossed the bill into a &#8220;fish bowl&#8221; setting off fireworks and great fanfare. What lay ahead &#8211; along with fund-raising history &#8211; was a nicely alliterative &#8220;$100 Million Moment.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n179 Grants were awarded to 163 different agencies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe three largest grant recipients for 2003 were nine grants to Kosair Children&#8217;s Hospital totalling $1,081,065.00; ten grants to the University of Louisville for $741,549.68; and $444,250 to the Home of the Innocents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2004<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nPeabo Bryson<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 5, 2004<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center (formerly named the Kentucky Center for the Arts), Louisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 6,051,236<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nA network of five television and eight radio stations across Kentucky carried portions of the 51st Annual Crusade.<\/p>\n<p>Many, who were a part of it, say Peabo Bryson put on one of the best shows in memory. He met some special needs children before the show and sang out their names during his performance, even invited them to come on stage.<\/p>\n<p>The most touching moment occurred when he walked through the crowd and hugged special needs children during his rendition of Al Jarreau&#8217;s hit, &#8220;After All.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n146 agencies received 177 grants from the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThe largest grant recipient was Kosair Children&#8217;s Hospital receiving more than $950,000 followed with a nearly $600,000 grant to the University of Louisville and $345,000 to the Frazier Rehab Institute of Jewish Hospital.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2005<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nMaster Magician Lance Burton<br \/>\nMagician Mac King<br \/>\nComedian Marty Pollio<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 4, 2005<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center<br \/>\nBomhard Theater<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 5,378,566<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nFor the first time in recent memory, there was a standing room only crowd on hand for the free kick-off variety show at the Kentucky Center&#8217;s Bomhard Theater.<\/p>\n<p>Many think it was because of talented trio who returned to their hometown to headline the show: Lance Burton, Mac King and Marty Pollio. Others speculate it was because of the free glowing star necklace that was given to everyone in attendance.<\/p>\n<p>The Miracle Dancers; Diane Moore Dancers; Patrick Hughes; Roger Dane and the Crusade Orchestra; Adrianne Archie; Storefront Congregation; Tim Krekel; Troy Bell; Anissia Anderson and Melissa Combs rounded out the evening.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n190 grants awarded to 148 different agencies in Kentucky and Indiana.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nOn May 25, 2005, Rebecca Jackson was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the WHAS Crusade for Children. She suceeds Dan Miller as only the fifth leader of the Crusade in its 52 year history. The previous executive directors were Jim Walton, Phyllis Knight and Bud Harbsmeier. Ms. Jackson is the first non-WHAS employee to lead the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2006<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nPeabo Bryson<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 3, 2006<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center<br \/>\nBomhard Theater<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 5,047,554<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nA near capacity crowd greeted vocalist Peabo Bryson who had also headlined the 51st annual Crusade in 2004. He&#8217;s one of the Crusade&#8217;s most engaging performers in recent memory. Stepping off the stage and walking into the crowd, he talked and sang to the children, calling them by name and including them in the show. Nearly 40 kids joined him on stage during his stirring rendition of &#8220;A Whole New World'&#8221; the theme from Disney&#8217;s animated classic &#8220;Alladin,&#8221; which gained him worldwide acclaim.<\/p>\n<p>The Miracle Dancers; Diane Moore Dancers; Patrick Hughes; Roger Dane and the Crusade Orchestra; Troy Bell; Anissia Anderson and Melissa Combs rounded out the evening.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n181 grants awarded to 154 different agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nTelevision pioneer, longtime Crusade for Children host and former executive director is honored with the &#8220;Knight Award&#8221; during the 53rd annual WHAS Crusade for Children.<\/p>\n<p>She was greeted with an ovation from the capacity crowd in the Kentucky Center&#8217;s Bomhard Theater on Saturday night June 3, 2006. The award was unveiled during the Crusade variety show heard and seen across Kentucky and southern Indiana on the Crusade Network.<\/p>\n<p>The Knight Award will honor fire departments for gifts given to the WHAS Crusade for Children by bequest. By designation of the estate, or the last known address of the contributor, the bequest will be credited to the appropriate fire department that collects contributions to the Crusade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2007<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nKentucky Headhunters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 2, 2007<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center<br \/>\nBomhard Theater<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 5,169,387<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nSaying they wished they&#8217;d done this years ago&#8230;the Kentucky Headhunters headlined the 54th annual WHAS Crusade for Children. Bringing their unique flavor of country rock, they cranked up the volume belting out their hits &#8220;Dumas Walker&#8221; and &#8220;Oh Lonesome Me&#8221; among others.<\/p>\n<p>The Miracle Dancers; Diane Moore Dancers; Olivia Smiley; Patrick Hughes; Todd Hildreth and the Crusade Quintet; Fiddler Jeff Guernsey; singers Anissia Anderson and Melissa Combs rounded out the evening.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n181 grants awarded to 154 different agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nOne of the original Crusaders, veteran WHAS-TV producer-director Bob Pilkington was honored with the WHAS Crusade for Children Buddy Award.<\/p>\n<p>Bob was given the award during the 54th annual WHAS Crusade for Children on Sunday, June 3, 2007 in the 3:00pm hour.<\/p>\n<p>Bob Pilkington is what one would call a TV pioneer. Working at WHAS-TV in the 1950&#8217;s and 60&#8217;s, he produced daily live TV shows. Writing content like comedy sketches from scratch each and every day. He directed legendary WHAS-TV shows &#8220;T-Bar-V&#8221; and &#8220;Hayloft Hoedown.&#8221; This was in the day when all TV was LIVE without the benefit of editing to correct a miscue.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Pilk,&#8221; as his pals call him, is one of only four people who have participated in all 54 annual WHAS Crusade for Children telethons. And he worked on the two Cerebral Palsy telethons, the granddaddy of the Crusade, that aired on WHAS-TV in 1952 and 1953. The Crusade was born in 1954. The other three original Crusaders are Milton Metz, Ted Throckmorton and Dave Dumeyer, Sr. (see more below).<\/p>\n<p>Even during this year&#8217;s Crusade, Pilk did his usual shift as he&#8217;s done for years. Strapping on a headest and telling camera operators what shots to get, he directed the live broadcast in Studio G Control for a 3-hour shift.<\/p>\n<p>When presented the &#8220;Buddy&#8221; by Crusade CEO Rebecca Jackson and award namesake Bud Harbsmeier, he was speechless. With his signature dry wit, he said, &#8220;I&#8217;m just getting back at all the people who did that to me!&#8221; Meaning those people who wouldn&#8217;t say much when interviewed in Bob&#8217;s day.<\/p>\n<p>But later, he said, &#8220;I&#8217;m very grateful for the honor and the recognition.&#8221; Congratulations Pilk!<\/p>\n<h2>2008<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nBryan White<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 7, 2008<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center<br \/>\nBomhard Theater<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 5,249,094<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThe 31-hour Internet\/radio\/telethon kicked off with a stirring variety show headlined by country singer Bryan White and hosted by WHAS11\u2019s Melissa Swan and 84WHAS radio\u2019s Terry Meiners Saturday June 7. It all ended with Crusade volunteers crowding into WHAS-TV studio H singing the traditional &#8220;God Bless America&#8221; after 10:00pm (EDT) Sunday June 8, 2008.&#8221;That&#8217;s the heart of this community,&#8221; said WHAS Crusade for Children CEO Rebecca Jackson. \u201cWe are so grateful!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps Mike Schmidt, chief of the Fern Creek Fire Department, summed it up best when he said, \u201cThese kids depend on us!\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n184 grants awarded to 156 different agencies in Kentucky and Indiana.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nSeveral agencies were awarded more than one grant:<br \/>\nUniversity of Louisville \u2013 11<br \/>\nJefferson County Public Schools \u2013 6<br \/>\nKosair Children\u2019s Hospital \u2013 5<br \/>\nCardinal Hill &#8211; 4<br \/>\nWestern Kentucky University \u2013 3<br \/>\nBellarmine University &#8211; 2<br \/>\nCaveland Educational Support Center &#8211; 2<br \/>\nDown Syndrome of Louisville &#8211; 2<br \/>\nKentucky Center for Special Children&#8217;s Services &#8211; 2<br \/>\nVisually Impaired Preschool Services &#8211; 2<br \/>\nWendell Foster&#8217;s Campus &#8211; 2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2009<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nConfederate Railroad<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 6, 2009<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center<br \/>\nBomhard Theater<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 5,289,841<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nAll the talk about a down economy didn&#8217;t stop people across Kentuckiana from digging deeper for the 2009 Crusade! <b>Grand total: $5,289,841!<\/b><br \/>\nNearly 200 fire departments, hundreds of organizations and thousands of people made it happen.<\/p>\n<p>The 31-hour Internet\/radio\/telethon kicked off with firefighters reporting donations, a touching evening led by The Miracle Dancers, Confederate Railroad and a cast of thousands on Saturday and ended with Crusade volunteers crowding into WHAS-TV studio H singing the traditonal &#8220;God Bless America&#8221; after 10:00pm Sunday.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n184 grants awarded to 158 different agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nWhen it was all said and sung, the people of Kentuckiana donated $5,289,841 to the 56th annual WHAS Crusade for Children to help children with special needs &#8211; topping 2008 by more than $40,000!<b>PRP and Archdiocese lead the way<\/b><br \/>\nMore than 50 percent of donations are collected by about 200 fire departments in Kentucky and Indiana. Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Department led the charge with $269,462. PRP was the fire department that started it all in1956 when Chief Ernie Bohler clenched $400 in his fist in a crowded Memorial Auditorium and challenged all fire departments to get involved.<\/p>\n<p>The Archdiocese of Louisville led all non-fire department donors with $215,500.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2010<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nThe Marlins<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 5, 2010<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center<br \/>\nBomhard Theater<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 5,301,182<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b>After 30+ hours of the radio\/Internet\/television celebration, about 100 volunteers and supporters of the WHAS Crusade for Children gave this, the 57th annual, a rousing send off with an emotional singing of God Bless America. The Saturday night kick-off was headlined by Kentuckiana&#8217;s own brother-foursome, The Marlins. Touching performances by The Miracle Dancers, Patrick Henry Hughes, Samajesty Starr, The Diane Moore Dancers and Melissa Combs led a cast of thousands through a weekend of highly charged moments.Nearly 60 percent of donations are collected by about 200 fire departments in Kentucky and Indiana. Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Department led the charge with $297,927.55. PRP was the fire department that started it all in1956 when Chief Ernie Bohler clenched $400 in his fist in a crowded Memorial Auditorium and challenged all fire departments to get involved.The Archdiocese of Louisville led all non-fire department donors with $216,000.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n191 grants awarded to 155 different agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nWhen it was all said and sung, the people of Kentuckiana donated $5,301,182 to the 57th annual WHAS Crusade for Children to help children with special needs &#8211; topping 2009 by more than $11,000!When asked why she thought, in a waivering economy, the Crusade would end with its highest total since 2005, Crusade President &amp; CEO Dawn Lee said, &#8220;&#8230;because the Crusade is magical and the people of Kentuckiana are amazing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Broadcast outlets put aside any competitive differences for the betterment of children. The weekend included endless live coverage on flagship broadcast outlets WHAS-TV and 84WHAS Radio; as well as six hours on WBKI-TV, Louisville; four hours on WBKO-TV, Bowling Green; two hours on WQWQ-TV, Paducah; and 2 hours on each of the seven Commonwealth Broadcasting radio stations.<\/p>\n<p><b>Three departments honor a fallen hero<\/b><br \/>\nThree fire departments: Buechel, Okolona and Camp Taylor presented a combined contribution in memory of fallen Buechel firefighter Terry Cannon who died earlier this year. In a tear-filled moment, Buechel Fire Protection District Chief Jonathan Yuodis said, &#8220;Terry was a great man.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2011<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nThe Louisville Leopards Percussionists<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 4, 2011<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center<br \/>\nBomhard Theater<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 5,301,881<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThe Miracle Dancers; Diane Moore Dancers; Patrick Hughes; Roger Dane and the Crusade Orchestra; Troy Bell; Anissia Anderson and Melissa Combs rounded out the evening.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n181 grants awarded to 154 different agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nFor the eighth straight year, WBKI-TV, the CW Louisville will air portions of the 58th annual Crusade for Children. As part of the Crusade Network, WBKI will broadcast live from Elizabethtown, Kentucky (Sunday Noon to 1:30pm EDT), Shelbyville, Kentucky (Sunday 1:30pm to 4:00pm EDT) and Bardstown, Kentucky (Sunday 4:00pm to 6:00pm EDT). Bobby Jack Murphy and WBKI\u2019s Dave Kastan will host the segments from Elizabethtown and Bardstown while WHAS11First Alert Storm Team Meteorologist Ben Pine will host the Shelbyville broadcast. They will welcome area fire departments and civic groups with their fundraising efforts to make life better for special needs children.In addition to WBKI-TV, for the ninth consecutive year, WBKO-TV in Bowling Green will air live broadcasts from Columbia, Kentucky and Rough River State Resort Park on both Saturday and Sunday hosted by WBKO\u2019s Chris Allen. WQWQ-TV in Paducah brings the Crusade Variety Show to viewers in Western Kentucky 7:00pm to 10:00pm (CDT) Saturday.<\/p>\n<p><b>Top five fire departments<\/b><br \/>\nPleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $301,097.61<br \/>\nFern Creek Fire Department $251,668.50<br \/>\nMcMahan Fire Protection District $128,358.05<br \/>\nZoneton Fire Department $95,350<br \/>\nHighview Fire Department $94,531.21<\/p>\n<p><b>Top Southern Indiana fire departments<\/b><br \/>\nLafayette Township VFD $65,674<br \/>\nJeffersonville Fire Department $55,920<br \/>\nCharlestown VFD $51,779<\/p>\n<p><b>Top five non-fire contributor<\/b><br \/>\nArchdiocese of Louisville $222,215<br \/>\nRepublic Bank $180,000<br \/>\nLG&amp;E\/Kentucky Utilities $177,555<br \/>\nLouisville Triple Crown of Running $160,243<br \/>\nJefferson County Public Schools $153,262.38<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2012<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nMany local acts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 2, 2012<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center<br \/>\nBomhard Theater<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ 5,189,348.69<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThe 59th annual WHAS Crusade for Children came to a close Sunday, June 3 at 7:00pm EDT with the singing of \u201cGod Bless America\u201d in WHAS11 Studio H. At the conclusion of the marathon 30+ hour internet\/radio\/telethon, the final tote board read $5,189,348.69. With that amount, the Crusade\u2019s 59 year total is now more than $148 million in donations to support children with special needs across Kentucky and Indiana.<\/p>\n<p>The Miracle Dancers<br \/>\nDiane Moore Dancers<br \/>\nTim French, pianist<br \/>\nJ. D. Shelburne, country singer<br \/>\nStorefront Congregation, bluegrass performers<br \/>\nMelissa Combs, vocalist<br \/>\nJeff and Ivan Guernsey with The Bibelhauser Brothers<br \/>\nTodd Hildreth and the Crusade Quintet<br \/>\nPatrick Hughes, Crusade favorite<br \/>\nDavid Garrard, magician<br \/>\nSam Majesty Starr, vocalist<br \/>\nMark Atcher Band<br \/>\nMojoBey<br \/>\nMichelle Sydnor<br \/>\nHolly Stewart<br \/>\nJoann Dickson<br \/>\nSeason at Sea<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n181 grants awarded to 154 different agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2013<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nFor the third time in Crusade history, Peabo Bryson headlined the 60th WHAS Crusade for Children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 1, 2013<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center<br \/>\nBomhard Theater<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$ $6,001,342.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nAt the close of the 60th annual WHAS Crusade for Children the goal of $6 million set by the Crusade staff a few months ago was realized. Live on WHAS11, 84WHAS and whas11.com, the toteboard rolled up one more time to reveal the total of $6,001,342.00.<\/p>\n<p>The Miracle Dancers<br \/>\nDiane Moore Dancers<br \/>\nTim French, pianist<br \/>\nJ. D. Shelburne, country singer<br \/>\nMelissa Combs, vocalist<br \/>\nJeff and Ivan Guernsey with The Bibelhauser Brothers<br \/>\nTodd Hildreth and the Crusade Quintet<br \/>\nPatrick Hughes, Crusade favorite<br \/>\nDavid Garrard, magician<br \/>\nSam Majesty Starr, vocalist<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n217 grants awarded to 186 different agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nMilton Metz, a longtime WHAS radio and television personality, said in a Monday Courier-Journal article that it has been a privilege to watch the organization grow and that he is inspired by his participation in the Crusade.\u201cThe weight of the pennies is enough to give you a hernia, they give you so much,\u201d Mr. Metz said. \u201cYou realize that it transcends politics or race or age, farmers or city people giving millions of dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>From firefighters holding boots at local intersections to the telethon this past weekend, the Crusade is visible in our community, and a reminder of the good that can be done by caring people.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Kentucky Fire Departments<\/strong><br \/>\nPleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $318,002.40<br \/>\nMcMahan Fire Protection District $191,456.87<br \/>\nFern Creek Fire Department $161,696.25<br \/>\nHighview Fire District $107,143.13<br \/>\nZoneton Fire Protection District $85,786.91<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Indiana Fire Departments<\/strong><br \/>\nLafayette Township Fire Department $85,873.21<br \/>\nCharlestown Volunteer Fire Department $43,632.90<br \/>\nGreenville Fire Department $34,543<br \/>\nRamsey VFD &amp; EMS $28,360.10<br \/>\nGeorgetown Township Fire District $27,400.42<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Organizations<\/strong><br \/>\nArchdiocese of Louisville $260,000<br \/>\nLouisville Triple Crown of Running $190,126.00<br \/>\nLG&amp;E\/Kentucky Utilities $187,548.00<br \/>\nNorton Healthcare $136,620.35<br \/>\nJefferson County Public Schools Students and Staff $136,575.95<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2014<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nCountry singer J. D. Shelburne headlined the 61st WHAS Crusade for Children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 7, 2014<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center<br \/>\nBomhard Theater<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$5,637,680<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\n<em>100 percent of $160 million = $160 million<\/em><br \/>\nIn its first 61 years, the Crusade has raised $160 million for children with special needs. 100 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. The WHAS Crusade for Children is America&#8217;s most successful local telethon.<\/p>\n<p>J. D. Shelburne, country singer<br \/>\nPatrick Hughes, Crusade favorite<br \/>\nMelissa Combs, vocalist<br \/>\nThe Miracle Dancers<br \/>\nThe Diane Moore Dancers<br \/>\nSecond Chance, neo soul group<br \/>\nSouthern Sirens, pop country<br \/>\nTodd Hildreth and the Crusade Quintet<br \/>\nDavid Garrard, magician<br \/>\nMojo Bay, classic rockers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n219 grants awarded to 182 different agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\n<em>Hashtag #WHASCrusade<\/em><br \/>\nFor fans of social media, the Crusade encouraged everyone to use the hashtag #WHASCrusade when tweeting about the Crusade on Twitter. This created an ongoing dialog and fun for Crusade supporters. You can follow the Crusade on Twitter any time: @CrusadeChildren or www.twitter.com\/crusadechildren. Join the conversation!Throughout Crusade weekend, there were continual Facebook updates as well. Be sure to make the Crusade your friend at www.facebook.com\/crusadechildren.<\/p>\n<p>And for the first time, Crusade t-shirts, firefighter boots and other donation points featured a QR code sticker. When scanned with a smart phone, donors are connected to the Crusade&#8217;s mobile donation site where they can make a contribution securely and credit the fire department of their choice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Kentucky Fire Departments<\/strong><br \/>\nPleasure Ridge Park Fire District $286,435<br \/>\nFern Creek Fire Department $142,725<br \/>\nMcMahan Fire Protection District $120,677<br \/>\nHighview Fire District $107,329<br \/>\nZoneton Fire Protection District $78,917<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Indiana Fire Departments<\/strong><br \/>\nLafayette Township Fire Department $93,052<br \/>\nCharlestown Fire Department $52,481<br \/>\nClarksville Fire Department $41,163<br \/>\nJeffersonville Fire Department $38,255<br \/>\nSellersburg Fire Department $35,000<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Organizations<\/strong><br \/>\nArchdiocese of Louisville $297,000<br \/>\nKosair Charities $250,000<br \/>\nLG&amp;E KU PPL Companies $191,072<br \/>\nLouisville Triple Crown of Running $142,639<br \/>\nNorton Healthcare $138,722<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2015<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nComedian Magician Mac King headlined the 62nd WHAS Crusade for Children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 6, 2015<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center<br \/>\nBomhard Theater<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$5,674,721<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nOn the weekend that American Pharoah became horse racing\u2019s first Triple Crown winner in 37 years, the people of Kentucky and Indiana put their money on another sure bet, the 62nd annual WHAS Crusade for Children. The final tote board tallied $5,674,721 as America\u2019s most successful local telethon came to a close.The 30-hour Internet\/radio\/telethon kicked off with a magical variety show headlined by comedy magician Mac King and hosted by WHAS11\u2019s Melissa Swan and 840 WHAS radio\u2019s Terry Meiners on Saturday, June 6. It all ended with Crusade volunteers crowding into WHAS11\u2019s historic studio H singing the traditional &#8220;God Bless America&#8221; just before 7:00pm (EDT) Sunday June 7, 2015.<\/p>\n<p>Crusade 62 marked the first Crusade to be televised in high definition (HD) from start to finish. Some recent years featured only portions in HD.<\/p>\n<p>Patrick Henry Hughes and his father, Crusade favorite<br \/>\nMelissa Combs, vocalist<br \/>\nThe Miracle Dancers<br \/>\nThe Diane Moore Dancers<br \/>\nZooperstars<br \/>\nAudrey Bell Adams<br \/>\nMichelle Sydnor<br \/>\nThe Latkovski Sisters<br \/>\nSouthern Sirens, pop country<br \/>\nTodd Hildreth and the Crusade Quintet<br \/>\nJeff &amp; Ivan Guernsey<br \/>\nMisty Mountain String Band<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n217 grants awarded to 191 different agencies<\/li>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nMilton Metz, Bob Pilkington and Ted Throckmorton continued on as the three who have participated in every Crusade weekend &#8212; that&#8217;s 62 straight years! Milton interviewed Kelly Knoop and her family in the Bomhard Theater on Saturday night as part of the Crusade variety show. Bob took to the director&#8217;s chair Sunday afternoon calling the camera shots from WHAS11&#8217;s historic studio H. Ted was seemingly everywhere helping coordinate phone operators and pledges throughout the weekend.<strong>Top 5 Kentucky Fire Departments<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Pleasure Ridge Park Fire District $294,246.87<br \/>\nFern Creek Fire Department $137,956.26<br \/>\nHighview Fire District $130,159.59<br \/>\nMcMahan Fire Protection District $126,114.00<br \/>\nZoneton Fire Protection District $87,029.37<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Indiana Fire Departments<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lafayette Township Fire Department $104,897.44<br \/>\nCharlestown Fire Department $47,000.00<br \/>\nGreenville Fire Department $36,730.10<br \/>\nClarksville Fire Department $34,127.54<br \/>\nGeorgetown Township Volunteer Fire Department $29,146.86<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Organizations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Archdiocese of Louisville $290,247<br \/>\nLG&amp;E KU PPL Companies $195,004<br \/>\nKosair Charities $150,000<br \/>\nLouisville Triple Crown of Running $134,350<br \/>\nNorton Healthcare $130,568<\/p>\n<p><strong>See and read more!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>See more Crusade coverage from WHAS11, just <a href=\"Read more Crusade coverage from the Courier-Journal, just &lt;a href=\">click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Read more Crusade coverage from the Courier-Journal, just <a href=\"http:\/\/www.courier-journal.com\/story\/news\/local\/2015\/06\/07\/nd-crusade-children-raises-nearly\/28659107\/\">click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Watch Mac King again<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Comedian magician Mac King headlined the 62nd annual WHAS Crusade for Children, watch his performance online just <a href=\"http:\/\/www.whas11.com\/videos\/features\/crusade-for-children\/2015\/06\/06\/28631207\/\">click here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2016<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nTeddy Abrams Jazz Band headlined the 63rd WHAS Crusade for Children.<\/li>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 4, 2016<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center<br \/>\nBomhard Theater<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$5,465,933.47<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Crusade moment<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>Just days after Louisville legend Muhammad Ali passed away, the people of Kentucky and Indiana dug deep and championed the 63rd annual WHAS Crusade for Children. The final tote board tallied $5,465,933.47 as \u201cThe Greatest\u201d local telethon in America came to a close.<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The 30-hour Internet\/radio\/telethon kicked off with an up tempo variety show headlined by Louisville Orchestra Music Director Teddy Abrams\u2019 Jazz Band, hosted by WHAS11\u2019s Rachel Platt and 840 WHAS radio\u2019s Terry Meiners on Saturday, June 4. It all ended with Crusade volunteers crowding into WHAS-TV\u2019s historic studio H singing the traditional \u201cGod Bless America\u201d just before 7:00pm (EDT) Sunday, June 5, 2016.<\/p>\n<p>Patrick Henry Hughes<br \/>\nMelissa Combs<br \/>\nGillian Stith<br \/>\nThe Miracle Dancers<br \/>\nThe Diane Moore Dancers<br \/>\nTim French<br \/>\nMichelle Sydnor<br \/>\nBetween the Lines<br \/>\nJohnny Berry and The Outliers<br \/>\nQuiet Hollers<br \/>\nRon Jones Quartet<br \/>\nTodd Hildreth and the Crusade Quintet<br \/>\nJeff &amp; Ivan Guernsey<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n230 grants awarded to 202 different agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>Milton Metz, Bob Pilkington and Ted Throckmorton had continued on as the three who have participated in every Crusade weekend. Ted passed away in December. In his spirit, son Dave and grandson DJ carried on the tradition of assisting and organizing phone operators as Ted had for 62 years. Ted will be missed.<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Milton interviewed Kelly Knoop and her family in the Bomhard Theater on Saturday night as part of the Crusade variety show. Bob took to the director&#8217;s chair Sunday afternoon calling the camera shots from WHAS11&#8217;s historic studio H.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Kentucky Fire Departments<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>New Castle Volunteer Fire &amp; Rescue $311,787.63<br \/>\nPleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $297,555.93<br \/>\nFern Creek Fire Department $136,144.05<br \/>\nMcMahan Fire Protection District $132,055.00<br \/>\nHighview Fire Protection District $105,491.28<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Indiana Fire Departments<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lafayette Township Fire Department $108,750<br \/>\nCharlestown Volunteer Fire Department $46,600<br \/>\nMonroe Township Fire Department $35,977.89<br \/>\nNew Washington Fire Department $27,509<br \/>\nClarksville Fire Department $26,351.17<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top Organizations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Archdiocese of Louisville $301,581<br \/>\nLG&amp;E KU PPL Companies $217,641<br \/>\nKosair Charities $150,000<br \/>\nLouisville Triple Crown of Running $142,146<br \/>\nNorton Healthcare $125,135<\/p>\n<p><strong>See and read more!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>See more Crusade coverage from WHAS11, the Courier Journal and more, just <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whascrusade.org\/so-many-people-make-a-difference\/\">click here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>2017<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nThe Carly Johnson Band headlined the 64th WHAS Crusade for Children.<\/li>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 3, 2017<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center<br \/>\nBomhard Theater<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$5,500,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Crusade moment<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>The Sam Swope Family Foundation presented a donation of $36,707.23 on the day after the 64th annual WHAS Crusade for Children to boost the final tote board total to $5.5 million.<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cWe are presenting this donation in honor of the kids who receive the benefits,\u201d said Marlys Swope.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSam Swope has a long legacy of giving in this community, and we are so grateful his family has continued the tradition. Each year we get more requests than we can fill, so this gift from the Sam Swope Family Foundation will allow more children to get the help they need,\u201d said WHAS Crusade for Children President &amp; CEO Dawn Lee.<\/p>\n<p>The people of Kentucky and Indiana came together and dug deep for the 64th annual WHAS Crusade for Children. Donations poured in and tallied to $5,463,292.77 as America\u2019s most successful local telethon came to a close on Sunday, June 4.<\/p>\n<p>The 30-hour Internet\/radio\/telethon was highlighted by a variety show headlined by Louisville\u2019s own Carly Johnson and hosted by WHAS11\u2019s Rachel Platt and 840 WHAS radio\u2019s Terry Meiners on Saturday, June 3.<\/p>\n<p>Patrick Henry Hughes<br \/>\nMelissa Combs<br \/>\nThe Miracle Dancers<br \/>\nThe Diane Moore Dancers<br \/>\nTim French<br \/>\nMichelle Sydnor<br \/>\nQuiet Hollers<br \/>\nTodd Hildreth and the Crusade Quintet<br \/>\nJeff &amp; Ivan Guernsey<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\n244 grants awarded to 202 different agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>The late broadcast legend Milton Metz was remembered with special tributes for being a fixture on the Crusade from its beginnings in 1954. It concluded with Crusade volunteers crowding into WHAS-TV\u2019s historic studio H singing the traditional \u201cGod Bless America\u201d just before 7:00pm (EDT) Sunday, June 4, 2017.<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Kentucky Fire Departments<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $271,383.69<br \/>\nHighview Fire Protection District $247,623.65<br \/>\n<strong>McMahan<\/strong> Fire Protection District $143,059.80<br \/>\nNortheast Nelson Fire Protection District $137,643.67<br \/>\nFern Creek Fire Department $126,534.23<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Indiana Fire Departments<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lafayette Township Fire Department $100,400.60<br \/>\nCharlestown Volunteer Fire Department $56,040.02<br \/>\nMonroe Township Fire Department $51,100.76<br \/>\nNew Albany Fire Department &amp; Harvest Homecoming $35,059.52<br \/>\nGeorgetown Township Fire Protection District $29,113.77<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top Organizations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Archdiocese of Louisville $291,000<br \/>\nLG&amp;E KU PPL Companies $221,884<br \/>\nNorton Healthcare $132,638.50<br \/>\nJefferson County Public Schools $113,054.23<br \/>\nKosair Charities $100,000<\/p>\n<p><strong>See and read more!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>See more Crusade coverage from WHAS11, the Courier Journal and more, just <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whascrusade.org\/recap-of-the-2017-whas-crusade-for-children\/\">click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>2018<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nMisty Mountain String Band headlined the 65th WHAS Crusade for Children.<\/li>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 2, 2018<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center<br \/>\nBomhard Theater<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$5,675,000.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Crusade moment<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>Just like 2017, the Sam Swope Family Foundation presented a donation of $36,177.00 on the Wednesday after the 65th annual WHAS Crusade for Children to boost the final tote board total to $5,675,000.<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cWe are presenting this donation in honor of the kids who receive the benefits,\u201d said Marlys Swope.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe late Sam Swope had a long legacy of giving in this community. We&#8217;re thankful his family has continued the tradition,&#8221; said WHAS Crusade for Children President &amp; CEO Dawn Lee.<\/p>\n<p>The people of Kentucky and Indiana came together and dug deep for the 65th annual WHAS Crusade for Children. Donations poured in and tallied to $5,638,823.12 as America\u2019s most successful local telethon came to a close on Sunday, June 3.<\/p>\n<p>The 30-hour Internet\/radio\/telethon was highlighted by a variety show headlined by the Misty Mountain String Band and hosted by WHAS11\u2019s Rachel Platt and 840 WHAS radio\u2019s Terry Meiners on Saturday, June 2.<\/p>\n<p>Patrick Henry Hughes<br \/>\nMelissa Combs<br \/>\nThe Miracle Dancers<br \/>\nThe Diane Moore Dancers<br \/>\nTim French<br \/>\nMichelle Sydnor &amp; Choir<br \/>\nTodd Hildreth and the Crusade Quintet<br \/>\nAddyson Clarkson<br \/>\nFree Soul Effect<br \/>\n1200<br \/>\nSouthern Sirens<br \/>\nCody Martin<br \/>\nSheryl Rouse Band<\/p>\n<p><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><br \/>\nWill be made public in July<\/p>\n<p><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><br \/>\nThis was the last Crusade for the McMahan Fire Protection District. It will be merging with Jeffersontown Fire Protection District later this year. Thanks to a large gift from an anonymous donor, McMahan closed out its storied Crusade history with Chief Pat Walsh announcing their largest Crusade collection ever, $193,509.68.<\/p>\n<p>Lake Dreamland, Okolona and Camp Taylor fire departments combined their donation collections in memory of Sgt. Jeff Kampschaefer. That total was $135,969.51.<\/p>\n<p>The 65th Crusade concluded with volunteers crowding into WHAS-TV\u2019s historic studio H singing the traditional \u201cGod Bless America\u201d just before 7:00pm (EDT) Sunday, June 3, 2018.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Kentucky Fire Departments<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>McMahan Fire Protection District $193,509.68<br \/>\nPleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $189,307.09<br \/>\nFern Creek Fire Department $120,944.51<br \/>\nZoneton Fire Protection District $88,616.97<br \/>\nHighview Fire Protection District $86,612.31<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Indiana Fire Departments<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lafayette Township Fire Department $111,838.00<br \/>\nCharlestown Fire Department $62,000<br \/>\nMonroe Township Fire Department $41,614.82<br \/>\nNew Albany Fire Department &amp; Harvest Homecoming $33,626.61<br \/>\nGeorgetown Township Fire Department $30,464.00<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top Organizations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Archdiocese of Louisville $308,000<br \/>\nLG&amp;E KU PPL Companies $229,240<br \/>\nNorton Healthcare $133,305.78<br \/>\nMcAlister\u2019s Deli $110,036.14<br \/>\nJefferson County Public Schools $108,202.53<\/p>\n<h2>2019<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nGrammy-nominated \u201cBrewgrass\u201d band Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers headlined the 66th WHAS Crusade for Children.<\/li>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 1, 2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nThe Kentucky Center<br \/>\nBomhard Theater<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$5,690,000.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nIn 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\u2019s Family Farm &amp; Restaurant, LG&amp;E KU Foundation, Republic Bank Foundation, Superior Van &amp; 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.<\/p>\n<p>The 30-hour Internet\/radio\/telethon was highlighted by a variety show hosted by WHAS11\u2019s Lisa Hutson and 840 WHAS Radio\u2019s 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\u2019s historic studio H singing the traditional &#8220;God Bless America&#8221; just before 7:00pm (EDT) Sunday, June 2, 2019.<\/p>\n<p><b>Performers<\/b><br \/>\nGary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers<br \/>\nPatrick Henry Hughes with Kaitlynn Singletary<br \/>\nThe Miracle Dancers<br \/>\nThe Diane Moore Dancers<br \/>\nLouisville Central Community Center Choir<br \/>\nThe Tunesmiths<br \/>\nBetween the Lines<br \/>\nBungalow Betty<br \/>\nBro-gards<br \/>\nAshlyn Smith with Brannock McCarten<br \/>\nTim French<br \/>\nDavid Garrard<br \/>\nMichelle Sydnor &amp; Choir<br \/>\nTodd Hildreth and the Crusade Quintet<br \/>\nAddyson Clarkson<br \/>\nSouthern Sirens<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The WHAS Crusade for Children announces its grants for 2019 \u2013 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 \u2013 2, 2019.<\/p>\n<p>Grant funds become available as the Crusade for Children begins a new fiscal year on September 1, 2019.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This was the last Crusade for Fern Creek Fire Chief Mike Schmidt. In his final year, Fern Creek captured the coveted top spot as the fire department that raised the most money &#8212; totaling $194,176.54.<\/p>\n<p>The 66th Crusade concluded with volunteers crowding into WHAS-TV\u2019s historic studio H singing the traditional \u201cGod Bless America\u201d just before 7:00pm (EDT) Sunday, June 2, 2019.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top<\/strong> Kentucky<strong> Fire Departments<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fern Creek Fire Department $194,176.54<br \/>\nPleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $194,154.54<br \/>\nJeffersontown Fire Protection District $115,278.12<br \/>\nHighview Fire Protection District $90,273.76<br \/>\nSt. Matthews Fire Protection District\/Lyndon Fire Protection District $80,066.00<br \/>\nZoneton Fire Protection District $76,159.48<br \/>\nShelby County Fire &amp; Rescue $75,044.68<br \/>\nSouth Oldham Fire &amp; Rescue $52,822.20<br \/>\nCamp Taylor Fire Protection District $47,354.85<br \/>\nColumbia \u2013 Adair County Fire Department $36,644.02<\/p>\n<p>Top Indiana Fire Departments<\/p>\n<p>Lafayette Township Fire Department $118,161.00<br \/>\nCharlestown Fire Department $62,320.22<br \/>\nMonroe Township Fire Department $51,500.00<br \/>\nNew Albany Fire Department &amp; Harvest Homecoming $46,183.31<br \/>\nClarksville Fire Department $34,693.00<br \/>\nElizabeth Volunteer Fire Department $31,200.46<br \/>\nGeorgetown Township Fire District $30,138.39<br \/>\nSellersburg Volunteer Fire Department $28,056.86<br \/>\nJeffersonville Fire Department $26,826.88<br \/>\nHarrison Township Volunteer Fire Department $25,417.12<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top Organizations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Archdiocese of Louisville $273,613.00<br \/>\nLG&amp;E KU PPL Companies $232,290.00<br \/>\nMcAlister\u2019s Deli $138,332.52<br \/>\nNorton Healthcare $128,538.40<br \/>\nJefferson County Public Schools $115,620.67<br \/>\nKosair Charities $60,000<br \/>\nCross Country Distributing $58,275.00<br \/>\nLouisville Triple Crown of Running $38,270.00<br \/>\nSam Swope Family Foundation $36,285.48<br \/>\nTed Throckmorton Memorial Golf Tournament $27,466.00<\/p>\n<h2>2020<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nIn this year of the worldwide COVID-19 virus pandemic, recorded highlights from the Crusade&#8217;s rich history were shown.<\/li>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nAugust 8, 2020<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nFairdale Fire Department<br \/>\nStation 2<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$4,800,000.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nDelayed by two months because of the worldwide pandemic, the people of Kentuckiana donated $4,800,000.<\/p>\n<p>Due to socially distancing rules, there was no traditional variety show from the Kentucky Center on Saturday night and no gathering at WHAS11 Studio H on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Changing from its longtime home at WHAS11 this year for social distancing and safety, the 67th annual WHAS Crusade for Children originated from Fairdale Fire Department Station 2. Chief Darrell Roy and his staff opened their firehouse to host the event. The number of people on site at Fairdale was drastically reduced from a typical Crusade celebration at the studios of WHAS11.<\/p>\n<p>While 2020 is the year many hope will go away, it\u2019ll be a memorable year for the WHAS Crusade for Children.<\/p>\n<p><b>Performers<\/b><br \/>\nRecorded highlights from the Crusade&#8217;s 67 year history<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The WHAS Crusade for Children announced its grants for 2020 \u2013 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 took place on August 8-9, 2019.<\/p>\n<p>Grant funds become available as the Crusade for Children begins a new fiscal year on September 1, 2020.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While 2020 was a challenging year, 23 fire departments raised more donations this year than last. Crusade staff, as well as most WHAS11 and WHAS radio staff have been working from home since mid-March.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top Kentucky Fire Departments<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fern Creek Fire Protection District $119,746.03<br \/>\nHighview Fire Protection District $95,867.65<br \/>\nJeffersontown Fire Protection District $82,359.60<br \/>\nSt. Matthews Fire &amp; Rescue $81,092.00<br \/>\nShelby County Fire &amp; Rescue $75,360.47<br \/>\nPleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $65,536.28<br \/>\nEkron Volunteer Fire Dept. $63,238.30<br \/>\nSouth Oldham Fire Department $50,865.89<br \/>\nZoneton Fire Protection District $50,519.26<br \/>\nLebanon Fire District $39,115.00<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top Indiana Fire Departments<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Charlestown Fire Department $57,000.00<br \/>\nLafayette Township Fire Department $48,322.00<br \/>\nMonroe Township Volunteer Fire District $45,064.71<br \/>\nElizabeth Volunteer Fire Department $29,391.00<br \/>\nRamsey Volunteer Fire Department $18,680.38<br \/>\nNew Albany Fire Department $17,131.06<br \/>\nMilltown Volunteer Fire Department $16,285<br \/>\nGreenville Township Fire &amp; Rescue $14,677.41<br \/>\nLanesville Volunteer Fire Department $13,215.13<br \/>\nHarrison Township Volunteer Fire Department $10,680.48<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top Organizations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>LG&amp;E &amp; KU Foundation $241,621.00<br \/>\nArchdiocese of Louisville $214,856.00<br \/>\nNorton Healthcare $129,302.04<\/p>\n<h2>2021<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nIn the second year of the worldwide COVID-19 virus pandemic, performers sent special pre-recorded performances to make up the 2021 variety show. The Crusade returned to its normal date &#8211; the first weekend in June.<\/li>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 5, 2021<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nFairdale Fire Department<br \/>\nStation 2<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$5,100,000.00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThe final tote board read $5.1 million at the conclusion of the 30+ hour 68th annual WHAS Crusade for Children on the weekend of June 5 &amp; 6, 2021. Balloons fell as we celebrated that number and a huge milestone: $200-million collected in our 68-year Crusade history. $200 million spread across Kentucky and Southern Indiana to help children born with special needs. That&#8217;s what the WHAS Crusade for Children is all about. Neighbors helping neighbors in need.<\/p>\n<p><b>Performers<\/b><br \/>\nYoung Addy Clarkson performed the National Anthem in person to kick off our variety show at 7:00pm. David Garrard was live on our Fairdale Firehouse set to do some close-up magic. Using technology to produce our variety show, these performers sent &#8220;virtual&#8221; performances for 2021:<br \/>\nAlex Miller<br \/>\nHazel Miller<br \/>\nJ D Shelburne<br \/>\nMac King<br \/>\nLance Burton<br \/>\nTyler Stiller<br \/>\nSqueeze Bot<br \/>\nJulie Baker Project<br \/>\nSouthern Sirens<br \/>\nDiane Moore Dancers<br \/>\nMiracle Dancers<br \/>\nDCorey Johnson<br \/>\nLouisville Central Community Center<br \/>\nMichelle Sydnor and Friends<br \/>\nStrings of Indian Creek<br \/>\nMelissa Combs<br \/>\nPatrick Henry Hughes<br \/>\nLouisville Leopard Percussionists<br \/>\nAddy Clarkson<br \/>\nStudents of Clarksville Elementary School<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The WHAS Crusade for Children announces its grants for 2021 \u2013 2022. 225 grants have been awarded totaling $5,100,000. That matches the tote board at the conclusion of the 68th annual WHAS Crusade for Children which took place on June 5 \u2013 6, 2021.<\/p>\n<p>Grant funds become available as the Crusade for Children begins a new fiscal year on September 1, 2021.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Crusade celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2003 and achieved a cumulative total of $100 million. Just 10 years later, in its 60th year, the Crusade had raised $150 million.<\/p>\n<p>June 6, 2021 topped them all. At the conclusion of the 68th annual WHAS Crusade for Children, the final tote board read $5.1 million. Since 1954, the Crusade has now raised a cumulative total of $200 million.<\/p>\n<p>In an emotional weekend, honoring many fallen firefighters, the people of Kentuckiana responded.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top Organizations and Companies<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>LG&amp;E &amp; KU PPL Companies $409,064.00<br \/>\nArchdiocese of Louisville $235,419.00<br \/>\nNorton Healthcare $126,208.88<br \/>\nJefferson County Public Schools $65,930.00<br \/>\nCross Country Distributing $50,000.00<\/p>\n<p>Top Indiana Fire Departments<\/p>\n<p>Lafayette Township Fire Department $104,383.00<br \/>\nMonroe Township Volunteer Fire District $64,060.06<br \/>\nCharlestown Fire Department $63,554.00<br \/>\nClarksville Fire Department $37,677.15<br \/>\nElizabeth Volunteer Fire Department $33,254.46<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top Kentucky Fire Departments<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Pewee Valley Fire Protection $259,564.57<br \/>\nZoneton Fire Protection District $195,438.87<br \/>\nFern Creek Fire Protection District $185,261.79<br \/>\nPleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $151,520.41<br \/>\nHighview Fire Protection District $91,550.61<\/p>\n<h2>2022<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nAs the world slowly emerges from the worldwide COVID-19 virus pandemic, the annual variety show was a hybrid of special pre-recorded and in-person performances. And for the third year in a row, Fairdale Fire Department Station 2 was the hub for Crusade weekend.<\/li>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 4, 2022<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nFairdale Fire Department<br \/>\nStation 2<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$5,133,684.69<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThe final tote board read $5,133,684.69 at the conclusion of the 30+ hour 69th annual WHAS Crusade for Children on the weekend of June 4 &amp; 5, 2022. Confetti canons released colorful bursts as firefighters, volunteers, WHAS11 and 840WHAS staff celebrated with the singing of &#8220;God Bless America&#8221; (a Crusade tradition) at the telethon&#8217;s conclusion. More than $205 million has been raised and spread across Kentucky and Southern Indiana to help children born with special needs. That&#8217;s what the WHAS Crusade for Children is all about, helping make life better for children with special needs.<\/p>\n<p><b>Performers<\/b><br \/>\nYoung Addy Clarkson performed the National Anthem in person to kick off our variety show Saturday, June 4th at 8:00pm. Magician David Garrard, Crusade favorite Patrick Henry Hughes, American Idol contestant Jackson Snelling, and The Southern Sirens were all live on our Fairdale Firehouse stage.<\/p>\n<p>The following performers were pre-recorded:<br \/>\nDiane Moore Dancers<br \/>\nMiracle Dancers<br \/>\nHazel Miller<br \/>\nLance Burton<br \/>\nLayla Spring<br \/>\nLouisville Leopard Percussionists<br \/>\nMichelle Sydnor and Friends<br \/>\nMelissa Combs<br \/>\nTodd Hildreth<br \/>\nRicky Beavers<br \/>\nSweet Harmony<br \/>\nTyler Stiller<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The WHAS Crusade for Children announces its grants for 2022 \u2013 2023. 216 grants have been awarded totaling $5,133,684.69. That matches the tote board at the conclusion of the 69th annual WHAS Crusade for Children which took place on June 4 \u2013 5, 2022.<\/p>\n<p>Grant funds become available as the WHAS Crusade for Children begins a new fiscal year on September 1, 2022.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Two longtime Crusaders were honored as we remembered Bud Harbsmeier (former WHAS-TV reporter and Crusade for Children Executive Director) and Wayne Perkey (former WHAS radio morning voice and longtime Crusade host). They both died in the past year. Wayne died from complications related to the COVID-19 virus.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top Organizations and Companies<\/strong><br \/>\nLG&amp;E and KU Foundation $398,104.00<br \/>\nArchdiocese of Louisville $211,558.00<br \/>\nNorton Healthcare Employees $115,567.80<br \/>\nJefferson County Public Schools $69,014.59<br \/>\nGreater Clark County Schools $21,246.00<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top Kentucky Fire Departments<\/strong><br \/>\nPleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $156,175.94<br \/>\nFern Creek &amp; Buechel Fire Departments $147,750.89<br \/>\nZoneton Fire Protection District $118,341.77<br \/>\nJeffersontown Fire District $111,959.80<br \/>\nHighview Fire District $106,235.85<br \/>\nSt. Matthews Fire Protection District $91,058.00<br \/>\nShelby County Fire &amp; Rescue $86,831.88<br \/>\nAnchorage &#8211; Middletown Fire Department $72,541.57<br \/>\nPewee Valley Fire Protection District $64,644.03<br \/>\nColumbia &#8211; Adair Fire Department $52,851.76<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top Indiana Fire Departments<\/strong><br \/>\nLafayette Township Fire Department $92,777.31<br \/>\nMonroe Township Volunteer Fire Department $72,431.00<br \/>\nCharlestown Vol. Fire Department $57,017.89<br \/>\nClarksville Fire Department $55,232.00<br \/>\nRamsey Volunteer Fire &amp; EMS $26,889.29<br \/>\nElizabeth Volunteer Fire Department $25,320.00<br \/>\nGeorgetown Township Volunteer Fire Department $23,227.57<br \/>\nHarrison Township \/ Corydon Volunteer Fire Department $21,802.43<br \/>\nLanesville Volunteer Fire Department $17,959.85<br \/>\nMilltown Fire Department $14,300.00<\/p>\n<h2>2023<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Entertainers<\/b><br \/>\nAddy Clarkson performed the National Anthem to kick off the variety show Saturday, June 3rd at 7:00pm. Master Magician Lance Burton and The Crashers headlined the event. Crusade favorites The Miracle Dancers, Diane Moore Dancers, Patrick Henry Hughes, David Garrard, Melissa Combs, Southern Sirens, Michelle Sydnor &#038; Friends, and American Idol contestant Jackson Snelling performed live on stage at Old Forester&#8217;s Paristown Hall, a new venue for the Crusade.\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Date<\/b><br \/>\nJune 3, 2023<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><br \/>\nOld Forester&#8217;s Paristown Hall<br \/>\nLouisville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Total money raised<\/b><br \/>\n$6,232,176.70<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Crusade moment<\/b><br \/>\nThe 70th annual WHAS Crusade for Children came to an end on Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 7:00pm EDT with a final tote board of $6,232,176.70 \u2013 the second highest total in the organization\u2019s history. The Crusade\u2019s 50th anniversary tallied $6,307,583 in 2003.<\/p>\n<p><b>Performers<\/b><br \/>\nMaster Magician Lance Burton<br \/>\nThe Crashers<br \/>\nThe Miracle Dancers<br \/>\nDiane Moore Dancers<br \/>\nPatrick Henry Hughes<br \/>\nDavid Garrard<br \/>\nMelissa Combs<br \/>\nSouthern Sirens<br \/>\nMichelle Sydnor &#038; Friends<br \/>\nAmerican Idol contestant Jackson Snelling <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade grant recipients<\/b><\/li>\n<p>The WHAS Crusade for Children announces its grants for 2023 &#8211; 2024. 220 grants have been awarded totaling $6,232,176.70. That matches the tote board at the conclusion of the 70th annual WHAS Crusade for Children which took place on June 3 &#8211; 4, 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Grant funds become available as the WHAS Crusade for Children begins a new fiscal year on September 1, 2023.<\/p>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crusade legacy<\/b><\/li>\n<p>Following three years under the cloud of the COVID-19 Worldwide Pandemic, the Crusade returned home to a live variety show and the traditional Crusade Sunday in WHAS11&#8217;s historic Studio H. <\/p>\n<p>Stephensburg Volunteer Fire Department in Hardin County received a $650,000 donation for this year&#8217;s Crusade. Stephensburg&#8217;s total of $655,400.00 is the largest amount raised by any fire department, company or organization in Crusade history.<\/p>\n<p>The Crusade&#8217;s Buddy Award was given to Theresa Fleischer, phone bank organizer and volunteer for more than 40 years<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top Organizations and Companies<\/strong><br \/>\nLG&#038;E \u2013 KU Foundation $441,882.00<br \/>\nArchdiocese of Louisville $233,777.00<br \/>\nNorton Healthcare $120,104.76<br \/>\nJefferson County Public Schools $62,354.80<br \/>\nJefferson County Clerk\u2019s Office $37,811.80<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top Kentucky Fire Departments<\/strong><br \/>\nStephensburg Volunteer Fire Department $655,400.00<br \/>\nPleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District $202,000.00<br \/>\nShelby County Fire Department (with Simpsonville Volunteer Fire Department \u2013 $12,000) $153,150.45<br \/>\nFairdale Fire Department $151,646.42<br \/>\nFern Creek Fire Department $140,222.46<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top Indiana Fire Departments<\/strong><br \/>\nStephensburg Volunteer Fire Department\t$655,400.00<br \/>\nPleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District\t$202,000.00<br \/>\nShelby County Fire Department (with Simpsonville Volunteer Fire Department &#8211; $12,000)\t$153,150.45<br \/>\nFairdale Fire Department\t$151,646.42<br \/>\nFern Creek Fire Department\t$140,222.46<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The WHAS Crusade for Children celebrates 70 years of making life better for children with special needs in 2023. Since 1954, the WHAS Crusade for Children has hosted an annual radio\/telethon that has bounced around the calendar having been held in November, September, May and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whascrusade.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9021"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whascrusade.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whascrusade.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whascrusade.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whascrusade.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9021"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/www.whascrusade.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9021\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19872,"href":"https:\/\/www.whascrusade.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9021\/revisions\/19872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whascrusade.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9021"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}