Just 9 days to go!

Our 15th annual WIBC Radiothon is nearly upon us – just 9 days left to join us as an hourly or in-kind sponsor.

Not familiar with Radiothon? It’s a 55-hour marathon of giving hosted on WIBC 93.1fm this December 11-13. WIBC’s on-air personalities donate their programming time to invite us in and let our partners and staff and volunteers tell how we’re reaching out to our fellow Hoosiers in need throughout the year.

This event is vital to our fundraising efforts for the entire year. With about 84 cents of every donated dollar going directly to life-changing programs in our communities, these 3 days go a long way! Sponsorship and pledge dollars help us provide shelter for the homeless, refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence, after-school and summer opportunities for metro Indy children, support for families after natural disasters and assistance for families struggling to provide the basics after job loss.

We’d like to thank our 2009 Radiothon Chair, Quinn Buckner and the Indiana Pacers for their help with Radithon this year. And thanks to our sponsors who’ve already joined us Read more

Our Volunteers Run on Dunkin’

Thanks to Dunkin’ Donuts for providing breakfast for our volunteers on Coats for Kids Distribution Day yesterday. Our volunteers work hard throughout the weeks and days leading up to this event, collecting, carrying, sorting and displaying thousands of coats, hats and gloves for Indy’s kids in need. And it means a lot to them to see area businesses stepping up to support their efforts.

Carlos and his teams provided about 9 dozen donuts from their downtown Indy location and about 300 munchkin donuts from the Greenfield Dunkin’. Because of their support, we can provide breakfast for the men, women and children who give so generously of their time to help others. And this donation allows us to support those in need with the dollars our community gives. We appreciate the many ways Dunkin’ supports this community.

If you appreciate Dunkin’s partnership as much as we do, let them know it. Next time you’re in the mood for a cup of joe and a donut, don’t forget to let them know they’ve earned your business by making the people of Indy their business.

You’ve got us on your calendar for lunch on Thursday, right?

Come and join us for Apple Fest on Monument Circle anytime between 10:30am – 1:30pm and forget about brown bagging it. It’s a no-guilt excuse to put those lunch dollars to good use – a fresh Applebee’s lunch for you and a donation to our women’s and children’s shelter. You can’t beat it! (And if you need lunch “to go”, we’ll be ready for you!)

We’ll have all kinds of entertainment and surprises with live music by Bandwagon and appearances by the Pacemates and more! And while you’re there, please stop by our sponsor’s booths. We’ll be hosting our campaign sponsor – Two Men and a Truck, apple cobbler sponsor – GFS Marketplace, apple sponsor – Adrian Orchards, media partners – WIBC 93/ESPN The Fan 1070/B105.7/HANK 97.1, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The American Legion, Dunkin’ Donuts, Comedysportz, Squish Designs, Indy Moms Like Me and folks from each of our Salvation Army’s nearby locations.

Speaking of apple cobbler…remember if you donate a new or gently used coat to Bob Gregory’s Coats for Kids campaign, we’ll give you a sweet reward – a FREE apple cobbler! Help us provide a warm coat to Indy’s children in need.

See you there!

Dunkin’ Opens on Pendleton Pike

On Wednesday morning, we had the pleasure of joining Dennis Gramm and crew to celebrate another Dunkin’ Donuts grand opening. This time we braved the ice-covered roads to head up to Pendleton Pike and Sunnyside.

Our very own Salvation Army Doughnut Girls greeted customers and posed for a few photos. Along with sampling new hot chocolate flavors, we met a few new friends as well. The fine folks from WFMS were there with their music and giveaways to boot! Read more

Celebrities on the Circle

If you’ve got a few moments today (and some spare change), stop by Monument Circle. We’ll be in front of Emmis Communications for Celebrity Bell Ringing Day from 6 am until 6 pm.  And we’ve got a great line-up of celebrities to welcome your donations.

Some of our very own Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders kicked off the event this morning at 6am. We also expect our 2008 Radiothon Chair (and Indiana Basketball legend) Quinn Buckner to ring and meet and greet at 10am. Our friends from Dunkin’ Donuts are sponsoring lunch for our celebrities and volunteers and will have their Cup and Donut mascots passing out some gift cards. After lunch, the Pacers mascots – Boomer and Bowser, and the Pacemates will join us. The mascot fun continues with Blue – Indianapolis Colts Mascot, Truckie from Two Men and a Truck and IUPUI Mascot Jawz. The Salvation Army Brass Ensemble & Donut Girls will take the afternoon shift. On-air personalities from WISH-TV8 will also join us throughout the day.

Yesterday, Eric Halvorson challenged 100,000 Hoosiers to each give $5.50 a week til Christmas to help us meet our Tree of Lights goal this year. Today’s a perfect day to come over and start by giving to those who have none.

But, no worries – if you can’t make it to Celebrity bellringing, you’ll have the opportunity to give at over 140 locations throughout the city through December 24th. And, of course, if you’re interested in volunteering this season by ringing a bell at a red kettle location, or by hosting your own on-line red kettle, go to indykettle.org or give Elizabeth a call at 224-1010.

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