Why should I give?

Probably the first question you ask yourself when presented with a request from a charity like The Salvation Army, right? So, if you’re wondering why you should sponsor an hour or donate a prize package for our WIBC Radiothon this December 3-5, you should let Donna* tell you in her own words.  

My name is Donna. My life has been saved! This is a literal statement because the abuse from my husband had progressed to the point where he was going to kill me. And even worse than that he would have done so in front of my three children. He had never abused the children before, but the signs were all present and I knew it was just a matter of time before he started on them too.

People say, “Leave him! Go!” But where do you go? Read more

GFS Marketplace signs on for Radiothon

We’d like to thank the folks at GFS Marketplace for agreeing to provide lunch for the volunteers and WIBC personalities who make Radiothon happen. This is no small gift. Our volunteers sign on in 4 or so hour shifts to answer phones and take pledges as personalities like Terri Stacy, ‘Big’ Joe Staysniak and Steve Simpson share the stories of the men, women and children whose lives have been changed by the generosity of strangers.

The Salvation Army is serious about using your donations to change lives. In fact, about 85 cents of every dollar you donate goes straight into programs that help your neighbors in need with food, shelter and financial assistance. With only about 15 cents left to cover all of our operations, we rely on our community to help us with expenses for events like this. And Hoosier business partners have always taken on that challenge.  Thanks to GFS Marketplace, lunch on Saturday, December 4 is covered!

We still have several meals left available for sponsorship, so if you’d like to help provide a meal for about 50 or so volunteers, we’d love to speak with you! Give Kristen a call at 224-1019.

Jillian’s donates first prize packages of 2010 WIBC Radiothon

Just met with our friends from Jillian’s Indianapolis and we’re thrilled to announce the first prize packages of the season. If you’re not familiar, Jillian’s is like a Chuck E. Cheese for grown-ups, but better. You’ll enjoy great food and interactive video games, cosmic bowling and billiards. (And let me tell you, the brownie bites are A-MA-ZING!) Located right downtown Indianapolis, it’s central to everywhere and not just like anywhere. Sounds like a great time, right? Absolutely!

Ready for a little holiday (or post-holiday) fun? Jillian’s has donated three prizes packages, each valued at $275. Each package includes a VIP party for 15 guests, a 7000 point Amazing Game Card and 1-hour of billiards play!

So, now you know the bar has been set high. We’re looking for more great packages to add some excitement and incentive for pledgers during the WIBC Radiothon. Got any ideas? Give me (Kristen) a call at 224-1019.

Coats for Kids provides 9,300+ coats to Indy families in need

We’ve all heard the saying, “it takes a village” and that was certainly true this October. The Salvation Army has been priviledged to partner with Tuchman Cleaners and Bob Gregory and our friends from WTHR-13 for the past 24 years to gather, clean and distribute coats to kids in need. Hoosiers are a generous group of people donating enough coats (and dollars to buy more coats) to clothe all of the kids who attended Saturday’s distribution day at the Fairgrounds.

So, we’d like to take a moment to thank all the people and businesses who make this event a success. Read more

24th Annual Coats For Kids Rises Above Expectations for 2010

After a week of setting up in the Exposition Hall at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, the 24th annual WTHR/Bob Gregory’s Coats for Kids was in full swing Saturday morning. Crowds were lined up around the building when the doors opened at 8am. Despite concerns about the lacking number of donations early on and the struggling economy, this year’s distribution was blessed with a record total of 9,326 coats.

“What a perfect trick or treat on Halloween weekend. The treat was 9,000 coats given. No trick involved there at all. We also had a lot of citizens donate. I think we had $7,000 to spend in purchasing new coats” said the man who started this campaign 24 years ago, Bob Gregory.

Approximately 300 volunteers gave up their Saturday and worked in shifts to escort families during their shopping experience at Coats for Kids. Some also worked as runners to replenish  racks of coats when the selections ran low. If you’ve ever wondered who our volunteers are, this year’s force was made up of several church groups, WTHR staff, and other individuals without whom The Salvation Army could not pull off such an event. Volunteer Coordinator Elizabeth Wilhelm said, “It was a great day and everything went so well!”

Once again, Tuchman Cleaners played an important role as the official drop off point, cleaner of coats and delivering the coats to the fairgrounds during the week of the event. On hand to greet the children were the Colts cheerleaders, Butler mascot “Blue” and Salvation Army officers.

“Our warmth goes out to those kids and families that for this year  have a new, nice warm coat. Thanks for the treat!” Bob Gregory, retired weather forecaster for WTHR.

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