If you've been reading my blogs - and Twitter - and Facebook over the last little while you'll know that I'm in high gear planning for this years Radiothon for Astral.
Mark the date down as Thursday, May 5th!
To highlight, more than 60 radio stations literally from 'coast to coast' stop their regular program for about twelve hours on that day and raise money for children's charities in their community.
Many of the stations are members of the Children's Miracle Network while others have either their own Station Children's Fund or a special cause that is near and dear to them in their particular city.
My job is to 'put it all on one page' for the company.
As such I visited several of the operations over the past few weeks to talk with what we call the "ground level crew" putting together this years event.
Although it is a giant National event the local aspect is what drives the success of the project.
In checking around the 'world' I can't find a radio station project anywhere as large as this one. About a thousand people are part of it - from the on air team; engineers; promotion people; Foundation people; clients, etc. and thousands upon thousands of listeners and clients 'donate' during the event.
It is probably the most 'touching' day a person can be involved in - especially when you're sitting in a hospital room with sick children, their parents, and the Doctors and Nurses watching the stations team's hard at work.
I've recently gone through a couple of personal weeks in that scenario with my own daughter, and I can safely say that 'all' of these people are amazing and when you deal with life threatening situations on a day to day basis I can assure you that the people who work in and around hospitals and care centres are very special people.
Over the past two years we have raised $14.6 million dollars with our Radiothon. That money has gone to much needed equipment, research, and individual hospital needs.
If you were one of the people who donated "I" thank you - Astral thanks you - the Foundations thank you - the hospitals thank you - and the parents and children also thank you.
This year we hope to blow last years $7.3 million dollar level out of the water and make some more magic happen with Radiothon.
Whether it's in Terrace, BC - or Toronto, Ontario.
Whether it's Edmonton, Alberta - or Pembrooke, Ontario 'every penny' goes to a good cause.
I know we're all asked to donate to many good causes throughout the year and that, as always, dollars are tight - but if you are a friend, a member of the media, or just an interested person reading this blog YOUR donation is needed and appreciated 'greatly.'
Please help us this year - and if you can't donate just do me a favour and "LIKE" our Astral Media "National Day of Caring Radiothon" page on Facebook and help spread the word to your friends, office workers, and associates.
If you can put together a donation from your office or work place - bonus - that works too.
The Facebook page is a one stop information centre for each and every market involved in Radiothon III - and you can donate on line 'any time' as well.
Thanks for reading.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for making 'somebody's' life better.
Often that somebody is in your own household or circle of friends who unexpectadly needs this assistance.
And by the way the person who gets the 'most' reward out of this day - is me!
I'm so damn proud of the talented people who do the front line work on this amazing day - and when they announce the final total at the end of the broadcast as it wraps up in Vancouver I feel great rewards for my small contribution to this most worthy cause!
My thanks!
Marty Forbes
President
Radiowise Inc.
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