58th Crusade ready to roll this weekend

May 31, 2011 In Crusade Events, Crusade History, Fire Departments, Uncategorized

America’s most successful local telethon!

Firefighters lead the way!

Firefighters are out in full force across Kentucky and Indiana. It’s time to change a child’s life and support the WHAS Crusade for Children June 4-5, 2011.

Louisville Leopards Percussionists headline the Crusade Variety Show
The Louisville Leopards Percussionists, a performing ensemble of student musicians ages 7-12, will headline the 58th annual WHAS Crusade for Children Saturday, June 4 beginning at 7:00pm (EDT) in the Kentucky Center’s Bomhard Theater. Admission is FREE.

“The Leopards and all of our musical guests give this year’s Crusade a truly local feel, taking us back to the very roots that made this organization what it is today,” said Dawn Lee, Crusade President & CEO.

Melissa Swan and Terry Meiners host

Melissa Swan of WHAS11 News and 84WHAS Radio’s Terry Meiners will MC the Crusade. They will be joined by favorites Patrick Hughes; The Diane Moore Dancers; The Miracle Dancers; Todd Hildreth and the Crusade Quintet; vocalist Melissa Combs; magician David Garrard; and back again this year Sam Majesty Starr with a special Crusade song he will perform with his wife, Cherrie.

Flagships WHAS11 and 84WHAS lead the charge

The annual Crusade Internet/radio/telethon kicks off at 1:00pm (EDT) on Saturday, June 4 and will air in its entirety on WHAS Radio (AM 840), WHAS-TV (DT Channel 11.1) and worldwide on WHAS11.com.

WBKI and WBKO head Crusade Network

For 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’s 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’s Chris Allen. WQWQ-TV in Paducah brings the Crusade Variety Show to viewers in Western Kentucky 7:00pm to 10:00pm (CDT) Saturday.

Radio network transmits statewide

The stations of Commonwealth Broadcasting headquartered in Glasgow, Kentucky boost the Crusade’s statewide network. Thanks to Steve Newberry, Commonwealth President & CEO, listeners hear a live simulcast of the Crusade Variety Show hosted by WHAS11’s Reed Yadon from 8:00pm to 11:00pm (EDT) Saturday.

Television Network

WHAS-TV, Louisville (Flagship station)
WBKI-TV, Louisville
WBKO-TV, Bowling Green
WQWQ-TV, Paducah

Internet Network

WHAS11.com
WHASCrusade.org

The Crusade is a 30+ hour love-a-thon

The 58th annual Crusade for Children officially kicks off at 1:00pm (EDT) on Saturday, June 4. Nearly 200 fire departments along with hundreds of organizations from Kentucky and Indiana will report how much money they’ve raised for Kentuckiana’s special needs children. Each year firefighters collect more than 50 percent of all Crusade donations by staging road blocks and other events.

The Crusade will conclude in primetime on Sunday, June 5 as the last dollars are added to make the tote board climb. In 2010, the Crusade raised more than $5.3 million for special needs children.

Performers scheduled to appear during the 58th Annual Crusade

Diane Moore Dancers
Tim French, pianist
J. D. Shelburne, country singer
Melissa Combs, vocalist
Jeff and Ivan Guernsey, bluegrass performers
The Miracle Dancers
Todd Hildreth and the Crusade Quintet
Scott Carney, lead singer and guitarist of Wax Fang
David Garrard, magician
Louisville Leopards Percussionists
InKy Clowns
Sam Majesty Starr, vocalist
Patrick Hughes, Crusade favorite
Storefront Congregation, bluegrass performers
Gaylia Rooks, singer
Back End of Tomorrow
Slakker
Brooks Ritter
Holly Stewart
Klondike & The Slow Rush
Thomas A. Minor and the Picket Line
Uh Huh Baby Yeah
Jason Schneider

The mission of the WHAS Crusade for Children

The WHAS Crusade for Children exists to change the lives of children with special needs in Kentucky and Indiana.

About the WHAS Crusade for Children

The WHAS Crusade for Children, established in 1954 by WHAS-TV, raises money for agencies, schools and hospitals to make life better for children with special needs. Since 1954, the Crusade has raised more than $138 million, giving critical assistance to millions of children in 120 Kentucky and 50 Southern Indiana counties. The money donated in Kentucky stays in Kentucky and, likewise, money donated in Indiana stays in Indiana. No money is sent to any national charity or organization.

The Crusade returns 100% of each donation to agencies that directly improve the lives of children with special needs. The WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Gifts are tax-deductible as permitted by law.

58th Crusade ready to roll this weekend