So many winners from Crusade weekend
While children with special needs are the REAL winners as a result of the 57th annual WHAS Crusade for Children’s $5.3 million total. In an emotionally charged weekend (June 5-6, 2010), you may have missed some of the winners and awards.
But first, the Courier-Journal posted a terrific editorial in the Tuesday, June 8, 2010 edition.
Editorial | A great Crusade
June 8, 2010
With the odds stacked against them — a slow economy and a recent embezzlement scandal — the WHAS Crusade for Children managed to raise more money than the organization has collected for special-needs kids since 2005. The 57th annual fund-raiser’s final figure totaled more than $5.3 million and its biggest contributors were Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Department, which collected $298,000, and Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville, which collected $216,000. The money will help pay for about $12 million in requests in Kentuckiana.
The Crusade, which acquires the majority of its donations through the efforts of area firefighters who use their fire boots instead of collecting tins, has always brought the community together like few other events. Every year, children eager to participate empty their penny jars and all donations, no matter how small, are read on-air during the weekend telethon so everyone is recognized.
But the Crusade was rocked by scandal when former McMahan Fire Chief Paul Barth was accused of embezzling at least $189,000 meant for the charity. Though Mr. Barth has pleaded not guilty, the charges against him risked jeopardizing people’s faith in the Crusade.
However, that didn’t happen, and the Crusade had a record fund-raising year. Even the McMahan Fire Department surpassed its fund-raising goal of $100,000.
It’s wonderful to see that even during a time when people could have tightened their purse-strings for economic reasons or in light of the scandal, the human spirit always has something to give to those in need.
“The people of Kentuckiana never cease to amaze us,” John Blim, the Crusade’s vice president and marketing director told The Courier-Journal. “It’s among the most giving communities in the country.”
Everyone who donated to Crusade for Children — or any charity this year, for that matter — should be proud of their contributions; it’s people like you that make this community a better place to live.
Honor your pledge!
Send your tax-deductible contribution to:
WHAS Crusade for Children
520 West Chestnut St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Winners from the big Crusade weekend
From raffles to awards, there were plenty of deserving winners during the 57th annual WHAS Crusade for Children June 5-6, 2010. Here’s a comprehensive list:
DeWalt $2,500 Tool Shop raffle
Presented by Bailey Tool and Supply
John Spurlock
Corydon, Indiana
$10,000 Kroger raffle
Karen Brooks
Louisville, Kentucky
Bonnieville quilt raffle
Created and donated by Mildred Gibbons
Lois Jean Pence
Bonnieville, Kentucky
Buddy Award
Presented in honor of Bud Harbsmeier, former Crusade Executive Director, given to a receipient who exemplifies true Crusade spirit.
Joe & Roberta Bowman
Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Department
Walton Memorial Trophy
The Walton Memorial Trophy is named in memory of
“Mr. Crusade,” Jim Walton who was host and MC of the WHAS Crusade for Children from the very first Crusade in 1954 until 1979.
Gravel Switch Fire Department
In the category of fire departments that raised between
$ 1,000 and $ 9,999…
Gravel Switch Fire Department had a 510 percent increase in their Crusade donation from 2008 to 2009.
2008 total: $ 405.26
2009 total: $ 2,472.75
Charlestown Fire Department
In the category of fire departments that raised between
$ 10,000 and $ 49,999…
Charlestown Fire Department had a 63 percent increase in their Crusade donation from 2008 to 2009.
2008 total: $ 23,221.85
2009 total: $ 37,877.85
Zoneton Fire Protection District
In the category of fire departments that raised between
$ 50,000 and $ 99,999…
Zoneton Fire Protection District had a 28 percent increase in their Crusade donation from 2008 to 2009.
2008 total: $ 81,086.98
2009 total: $ 103,754.96
Fern Creek Fire Department
In the category of fire departments that raised between
$ 100,000 and above…
Fern Creek Fire Department had a 91 percent increase in their Crusade donation from 2008 to 2009.
2008 total: $ 121,588.05
2009 total: $ 232,170
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