LOUISVILLE, Ky. — America’s most successful telethon has reached a milestone for its 70th year.
The WHAS Crusade for Children has raised $6,232,176.70.
It was the second highest total in the Crusade's history, falling short of the 50th anniversary's total of $6,307,583 in 2003.
It was the first year the telethon returned fully to the WHAS-TV studios after being at various locations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thank you Kentuckiana for your generosity!
One hundred percent of every donation goes to the kids! Follow the Crusade for Children Facebook page to keep up with how your donations are being used to help children in the area.
WHAS and the Crusade for Children family want to give a huge thanks to the firefighters, businesses and community members who helped raise money this year. And a special thanks goes out to all the volunteers.
Without all of you, the WHAS Crusade for Children would not be possible. Thank you for another successful year!
PHOTOS | 70th Annual WHAS Crusade for Children
The Leaders
Almost 60 percent of donations are collected by nearly 200 fire departments in Kentucky and southern Indiana. Fire departments have been involved with the Crusade since 1956 when Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Chief Ernie Bohler brought $400 on the Memorial Auditorium stage in Louisville and challenged all fire departments to get involved.
Stephensburg Volunteer Fire Department led the way in Kentucky this year with $655,400 thanks to an extremely generous estate gift.
The top Indiana fire department was Lafayette Township Fire Department with $100,201.
LG&E and KU Foundation led the community organizations with $441,882 in contributions.
To view a complete list of all groups that made donations live on the 70th Annual WHAS Crusade for Children, go to www.WHASCrusade.org.
So many to thank
The annual Crusade Internet/radio/telethon kicked off at 1:00pm (EDT) on Saturday, June 3 and aired in its entirety on WHAS Radio (AM 840), WHAS-TV (Channel 11.1) and on WHAS11.com.
In addition, WBNA-TV (Channel 21.1) in Louisville aired live broadcasts from 1:30pm to 6:30pm Sunday, June 4 from the Kentucky cities of Elizabethtown, Shelbyville and Bardstown. WBKO-TV in Bowling Green aired remote telecasts from Campbellsville on Saturday and Leitchfield on Sunday.
To honor a pledge
Tax-deductible contributions can be sent anytime:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Donations can also be made securely online on www.WHASCrusade.org.
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