LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A longtime WHAS Crusade for Children volunteer has created a new twist on an old way of raising money for the nonprofit which benefits children with special needs across Kentuckiana.
Kyle Shepherd combined her love of photography and the Crusade to make a 17-month calendar featuring photos of firefighters from local departments.
In honor of the 70th Crusade for Children, the calendar begins with June 2023.
Shepherd has been volunteering with the Crusade for more than 20 years. She said she's always wanted to do a fundraiser for the nonprofit, but didn't know what to do until she fell in love with photography.
"I thought, I'm gonna do a calendar," she said.
Over the last year, Shepherd has taken more than 5,300 pictures of firefighters across Kentucky and Indiana to craft what she calls: "A love letter to the area firefighters and the Crusade for Children."
"I hope it raises awareness of the Crusade a little bit more and of the firefighters, you know," she said. "The firefighters are the ones raising a good portion of the money for the Crusade."
Each year, more than 50% of the total money raised for the annual Crusade telethon comes from fire department fundraisers and roadblocks.
"They spend a lot of time away from their families on behalf of those in our community and I think we have to thank them and their families," Shepherd said.
The calendars are now available for $20, and make perfect stocking stuffers just in time for the holidays.
100% of the proceeds will help children with special needs all over Kentuckiana.
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