LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The 67th WHAS Crusade for Children has been rescheduled from June 6-7, 2020 to August 8-9, 2020. Communities throughout Kentucky and southern Indiana are a key part of the success of the WHAS Crusade for Children. Crusade supporters come together each year to help make life better for children with special needs who are among some of the most medically fragile citizens we have in our communities. Due to the impact of social distancing, the decision was made to postpone the annual radio/telethon.
A special one-hour “WHAS Crusade for Children Family Reunion” program will air on WHAS-TV Sunday, June 7, 2020. It will also stream on WHAS11.com and Facebook Live. The program will feature fire departments, community supporters, and agencies that receive much needed funding from the WHAS Crusade for Children.
“The community is such an important part of the WHAS Crusade for Children. With this in mind, we made the decision to reschedule Crusade 67 for August 8 and 9. In these unprecedented times, we remain committed to the health and safety of the children we serve. It is our hope that rescheduling the telethon will provide additional time for our dedicated firefighters and community partners, who are crucial to our success,” said Dawn Lee, President & CEO of the WHAS Crusade for Children.
Crusade history
Since 1954, the WHAS Crusade for Children has hosted an annual radio/telethon. Over the years, it has moved around the calendar having been held in November, September, May and most recently the first weekend in June. A year-by-year history can be found on WHASCrusade.org/whas-crusade-for-children-history.
Firefighters still leading the way
Fire departments across Kentucky and southern Indiana raise nearly 60 percent of the Crusade donations each year by staging roadblocks and hosting other events. Many fire departments are making plans to collect in contactless ways this year. Support fire departments by ordering merchandise at CrusadeWear.com and entering the fire department’s name in the notes section. Some fire departments will also host drive through collection sites at their fire stations or at other convenient locations for donors to drop off donations. Check with your local fire department and other civic groups to find out how they will be collecting donations this year.
To make a donation
The WHAS Crusade for Children has made it easy for supporters to donate with many different options. Donations can be made securely online at WHASCrusade.org or by mail:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 W. Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202
New this year, text the word CRUSADE to 50155 to make a donation. Digital donations can also be made using Venmo, Cash App, PayPal and Alexa Pay. In addition, Facebook users can make a one-time donation on the WHAS Crusade for Children Facebook page or host a Facebook fundraiser for the Crusade.
Crusade Network
The annual Crusade Internet/radio/telethon will kick off at 1:00pm (EDT) on Saturday, August 8 and air 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 airs live broadcasts 12:30pm to 6:30pm Sunday, August 9 from the Kentucky cities of Elizabethtown, Shelbyville and Bardstown. WBKO-TV in Bowling Green airs remote telecasts from Campbellsville on Saturday and Leitchfield on Sunday.
Television Network
- WHAS-TV, Louisville (flagship station)
- WBNA-TV, Louisville
- WBKO-TV, Bowling Green
Radio Network
- WHAS, Louisville (flagship station)
Internet Network
- WHAS11.com
- WHASCrusade.org
WHAS11.com will provide live video streaming of the entire broadcast visible anywhere in the world and also simulcast on YouTube and Facebook Live. WHASCrusade.org will provide updates throughout the weekend and a complete list of all groups that make donations.
100 percent for the kids
In its first 66 years, the Crusade has raised more than $190 million for children with special needs. Thanks to generous contributions of goods and services, the Crusade is able to grant 100 percent of all donations to hospitals, schools and agencies that serve children with special needs in all 120 Kentucky counties and more than 50 southern Indiana counties.
It takes a cast of thousands to stage the annual miracle, from individual donors dropping pocket change into boots at firefighter collection sites to corporations offering payroll deduction.
About the WHAS Crusade for Children
The WHAS Crusade for Children, established by WHAS-TV in 1954, raises money for agencies, hospitals and schools that make life better for children with special needs. In its first 66 years, the Crusade has raised more than $190 million. Thanks to generous contributions of goods and services, the Crusade returns 100 percent of all donations to organizations in all 120 Kentucky counties and more than 50 counties in southern Indiana. Fire departments raise nearly 60 percent of the money each year by staging roadblocks and hosting other events. Millions of children have been helped by the Crusade since 1954. The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Gifts are tax-deductible as permitted by law.
