Volunteer Lesley Cross takes pledges during the River of Hope Radiothon. (photo by Susan Urmy)
Radiothon hauls in new record
The 2007 Children's Miracle Network's River of Hope Radiothon was bigger and better than ever.
The total from the three-day fund-raising effort for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt was $321,424 — nearly twice the $175,510 that was raised last year.
“This year's Radiothon was a tremendous success that surpassed our every expectation,” said Lisa Dill, CMN director for Children's Hospital.
“We are so thankful to the community for their continued support of Children's Hospital during this event.”
The majority of the pledges made during the Radiothon were to join the River Kids Club, a one-year commitment of $15 per month.
For the third year in a row, radio station 107.5-FM The River and on-air personalities Woody and Jim, Madison and Ryno hosted the Radiothon from the Performance Stage at Children's Hospital.
“We are so grateful for the long-standing commitment of the 107.5 The River team,” Dill said.
“It keeps getting better every year.”
“It's a privilege to be a part of the Radiothon,” added Jim Chandler of the Woody and Jim morning show. “When we first toured the hospital three years ago, we knew it was something we wanted to be involved with.”
More than 100 patients, families, faculty and staff gave interviews with on-air personalities to tell why the community should support Children's Hospital.
“It's hearing the families and staff who participate in the Radiothon that drives the listeners to call in and make donations, and we really appreciate them taking the time to participate in on-air interviews,” Dill said.
Children's Hospital is one of the 22 founding hospitals of the CMN, which was formed in 1982 and is the only national fund-raising effort that pledges that 100 percent of all locally raised money goes to local member hospitals.