LOUISVILLE (WHAS11) – It was another successful year for the 57th annual Crusade for Children.
This year's Crusade brought in more than $5.3 million despite the economy and a tough year.
Those in the community and hundreds of firefighters made this a Crusade that won’t soon be forgotten.
WHAS11's Claudia Coffey has more.
For 57 years, the sounds of the Crusade have stirred the hearts of the community.
Sunday was no different.
“To be here today and see the response for the Crusade, and supporting this great cause is remarkable,” said Dawn Lee, the President and CEO of Crusade for Children. “It's heartwarming and it's hard not to cry.”
Special guests and familiar faces, like Judy Barcus’, were present.
Barcus has been answering the phones as a volunteer for 35 years.
“Crusade weekend, that's all it is,” she said. “Nothing else. I clear my calendar.”
Every hour brought more money and more good news for our community’s children with special need.
WHAS11’s Danielle Santoro even sat down to take calls, setting a goal that she wouldn’t leave until she had raised $1200.
Outside, the giving started in the streets of our community.
Departments from counties all across Kentucky and 50 percent in southern Indiana participate in the Crusade.
Firefighters in Shelbyville, Kentucky set up roadblocks for a last minute push.
Those firefighters then made their big arrival by driving down Chuck Olmstead Way. They pulled their trucks into the back lot and rolled into WHAS studios for the moment everyone had been waiting for.
Every drop in the bucket was a big one, slowly raising the total on the big board.
Thank you, Kentuckian, for another successful Crusade for Children.
There are four ways to make a donation to the WHAS Crusade for Children:
1. Through your fire department or civic group
2. Mail to: WHAS Crusade for Children, 520 W. Chestnut St., Louisville, KY 40202
3. Securely at WHASCrusade.org
4. Phone (502) 582-7706
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 $133 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 other 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.
You can find more information on the Crusade at http://www.whascrusade.org/
