{"id":87,"date":"2021-11-16T19:33:39","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T19:33:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/?p=87"},"modified":"2021-11-16T19:34:42","modified_gmt":"2021-11-16T19:34:42","slug":"49th-we-care-telethon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/49th-we-care-telethon\/","title":{"rendered":"49th We Care Telethon"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"container\">\n<div id=\"content\" class=\"site-content\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div id=\"primary\" class=\"content-area\">\n<article id=\"post-6\" class=\"post-6 page type-page status-publish hentry latest_post\">\n<header class=\"entry-header\">\n<h1 class=\"entry-title\">History<\/h1>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>It was just prior to Christmas in 1973 when WWKI disc jockey, Dick Bronson, received a call while hosting his hour-long, call-in radio program Viewpoint. The call was from a long-time, laid-off autoworker asking what he was supposed to do in order to give his family a happy holiday season. Bronson offered to donate $20.00 (half of his wallet contents) if others listening would do the same.<\/p>\n<p>What transpired was a spontaneous extra hour of Viewpoint and cash totaling over $1,000.00 plus some food, toys and clothing. Not only was the unemployed autoworker helped but other families in the community were aided as well.\u00a0With the first solicitation, Dick Bronson established a continuing philosophy whereby every dime and\/or item donated would be used to assist the underprivileged.<\/p>\n<p><strong>We Care\u00a0<\/strong>continues to follow the philosophy\u00a0that was established in 1973. All donations are used for assistance and cover no overhead or costs of the program.\u00a0\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0organizers pride themselves in maintaining such simplicity. A mirror reflection of the heart of this community is seen in the eyes of our children as they experience the blessings of Christmas and the wonderment and mystery of Santa.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Highlights of\u00a0We Care<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In 1975, WWKI Radio and KI 3 (T.V. station) simulcast the first 47-hour radio-telethon, the previous year six hours of radio time had been donated.<\/li>\n<li>In 1980, turned a $1,000 donation into a semi load of 172,000 jars of Beech Nut baby food valued at $28,000. The story gained national attention and was aired on NBC\u2019s Today Show<\/li>\n<li>In 1980, spontaneously sold the first of the dated\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0signs for $250.00. The selling of the sign is now a tradition and has contributed in excess of $30,000.<\/li>\n<li>In 1982, Tele-Cable of Kokomo joined the\u00a0<strong>We Care\u00a0<\/strong>Christmas effort by donating airtime for the entire 47-hour telethon. This donation was the largest single in-kind contribution dollar wise and it also carried the entire fund drive to thousands more viewers.<\/li>\n<li>In 1983,\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0incorporated, obtained 501 (c) (3) status, tax-exempt classification, and a trademark logo.<\/li>\n<li>In 1985, Ponderosa\u00ae, in conjunction with their 20-Year Celebration, held a\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>-Sylvia concert and presented\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0with a $10,000 check.<\/li>\n<li>In 1985, the largest, single donation was a check for $13,054.00 raised through ongoing activities throughout Delco Electronics Plant No. 5.<\/li>\n<li>In 1985, published the first\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0not just another COOKBOOK and sold all 10,000 copies in 21 days.<\/li>\n<li>In 1986, introduction of the popular STUFF; a toffee coated popcorn, pecans, almonds, &amp; nut mouthwatering treat. Cates Trucking of Swayzee voluntarily delivers the product annually.<\/li>\n<li>In 1991, published the 702-page\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0not just another COOKBOOK Classic Edition and sold ALL 10,000 copies in 21 hours (yes, 21 HOURS)! The first 5550 were sold from the back of a semitrailer.<\/li>\n<li>Various merchants used over 9,000,000 grocery bags which conveyed a message of support for\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>. (\u201985, \u201986, \u201987, \u201988).<\/li>\n<li>Received the Presidential C-Flag award and was a guest in a Rose Garden ceremony. (\u201985, \u201986, \u201987).<\/li>\n<li>In 1992, Coca-Cola distributed 12 oz. cans with a special 20th Anniversary message.<\/li>\n<li>The first in a series of baskets, Celebrating The 20th anniversary\u00a0<strong>We Care\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Commemorative Basket was offered.<\/li>\n<li>In 1993, reprint 10,000 copies of\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0not just another COOKBOOK Classic Edition and sold out.<\/li>\n<li>In 1993, Coca-Cola initiated the first 32 oz. cup with nearly 100% support in the Kokomo area. The public seized the opportunity to create a collectible item, which resulted in an annual program promoting\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>In 1994, area school choirs sang music for the\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0joy of singing CD and tape selling as a benefit for both the schools and\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>In 1995, TCI continued the broadcast tradition and simulcasts the telethon with WWKI Radio.<\/li>\n<li>In 1995, the first Spirit of Hope tapestry sold for $8,000.<\/li>\n<li>In 1996, was honored with The Washington Times Foundation National Service Award<\/li>\n<li>The Kokomo Mall provided space for a temporary\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0store during the two weeks of the Trim-A-Tree Festival.<\/li>\n<li>Dick and Charlie hosted a tour of the\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0facility at the beginning of the 1997 25th Anniversary Telethon.<\/li>\n<li>In 1997, Coca-Cola distributed a special 12 oz. can recognizing the 25 year effort of\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>The basket series continued in popularity with the sixth in the series, Celebrating 25 Years of Giving, The Season of Hope Basket .<\/li>\n<li>Special items were offered celebrating the 25th Anniversary of\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 pewter plates, ornaments, license plates, and silver coins.<\/li>\n<li>In 1997, tapestry tote bags along with denim tote bags were introduced along with Creamy Potato Soup mix.<\/li>\n<li>In 1997, the number of phone operators increased to sixteen\u00a0to enable more callers an opportunity to bid.<\/li>\n<li>In 1998, you talk about crunch,\u00a0<strong>We Care\u00a0<\/strong>Tater Chips were introduced and were sold by Meijer and the Krogers stores in addition to the\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>store.<\/li>\n<li>In 1998 Insight Communications joined WWKI to simulcast the telethon and extended the time to a full 48 hours.<\/li>\n<li>In 2002,\u00a0<strong>We Care\u00a0<\/strong>Founder and WWKI radio personality Dick Bronson died suddenly from a massive heart attack while participating in the July 8th Haynes-Apperson Festival Parade. He had led the\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0efforts for 29 years.<\/li>\n<li>In 2002,\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0celebrated its 30th anniversary, raising a record total of nearly $860,000 for the season.<\/li>\n<li>In 2004, Jan Buechler,\u00a0AKA\u00a0<strong>We Care\u00a0<\/strong>Jan, announced she had been diagnosed with cancer and would retire as volunteer coordinator at the end of the year.<\/li>\n<li>In 2006, an accidental fire at the WWKI studio building on April 26th destroyed the\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0offices and infrastructure. Re-building began almost immediately, while planning continued for the 34th annual telethon in December.<\/li>\n<li>In 2006,\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0Jan passed away on June 15th, marking the end of her 32 consecutive years of\u00a0<strong>We Care\u00a0<\/strong>leadership and coordination.<\/li>\n<li>In 2006, the\u00a0<strong>We Care\u00a0<\/strong>offices re-opened in November, newly renovated during fire recovery, and plans proceeded for the 34th working season.<\/li>\n<li>In 2007,\u00a0<strong>We Care\u00a0<\/strong>celebrated its 35th anniversary. Viewers from across the world joined in as portions of the telethon were broadcast on the Internet for the first time ever.<\/li>\n<li>In 2008, Comcast acquired Insight Communications, and joined WWKI to simulcast the\u00a036th telethon during their first-year serving the Kokomo market.<\/li>\n<li>In 2009, Charlie Cropper, co-host of the popular Male Call program, passed away on February 24th. Charlie was in his 40th year as a broadcast employee of WWKI and was a major part of\u00a0<strong>We Care<\/strong>\u00a0for 36 years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>In 2010, We Care auctions autographed book displays from President Barack Obama and former Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer id=\"colophon\" class=\"site-footer\">\n<div class=\"site-info\">\n<div class=\"container\"><span class=\"copyright\">\u00a9 2021\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.wecareonline.org\/\">We Care of Kokomo, Indiana, Inc.<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We Care is happy to announce that the 49th telethon will be a traditional 48-hour telethon on December 3 \u2013 5, 2021! The telethon will be broadcast on Comcast Channel 2 (KGOV) and 100.5 FM WWKI.<\/p>\n<p>Items for the telethon will be collected at the We Care building at the corner of Sycamore and SR 931 in Kokomo (1700 E. Sycamore Street).<\/p>\n<p>Collection dates and times:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Friday, November 19: 9am \u2013 5pm<\/li>\n<li>Saturday, November 20: 10am \u2013 5pm<\/li>\n<li>Friday, November 26: 9am \u2013 5pm<\/li>\n<li>Saturday, November 27: 10am \u2013 5pm<\/li>\n<li>Monday, November 29 through Thursday, December 2: 9am \u2013 5pm<\/li>\n<li>Friday, December 3: 9am through midnight Saturday, December 4.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>No items will be accepted past 12am Sunday, December 5.<\/p>\n<p>Items not accepted:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Exercise equipment of any kind<\/li>\n<li>Pianos or organs<\/li>\n<li>Used appliances, small or large (washers, dryers, ovens, refrigerators, coffee makers, toasters, etc.)<\/li>\n<li>Used upholstered furniture of any kind, including mattresses<\/li>\n<li>Entertainment centers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We Care will be using our own discretion on additional items. All items must be clean and dust free.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" \/>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/103\/2021\/11\/MVI_2267-1024x576.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-90\" src=\"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/103\/2021\/11\/MVI_2267-1024x576-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"MVI_2267-1024x576\" width=\"940\" height=\"529\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/103\/2021\/11\/MVI_2267-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/103\/2021\/11\/MVI_2267-1024x576-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>We Care is primarily a fund raising effort held the first full weekend of December each year. It is an all volunteer organization with 100% of all funds raised disbursed to selected local organizations that provide assistance to the disadvantaged and less fortunate as well as the mentally and physically challenged within our community. We Care\u00a0is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:20px; padding-top:10px;\" class=\"hupso-share-buttons\"><!-- Hupso Share Buttons - http:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/ --><a class=\"hupso_counters\" href=\"http:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/dot.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top:2px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\"\/><\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var hupso_services_c=new Array(\"twitter\",\"facebook_like\",\"google\",\"pinterest\");var hupso_counters_lang = \"en_US\";var hupso_image_folder_url = \"\";var hupso_url_c=\"\";var hupso_title_c=\"49th We Care Telethon\";<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/js\/counters.js\"><\/script><!-- Hupso Share Buttons --><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>History It was just prior to Christmas in 1973 when WWKI disc jockey, Dick Bronson, received a call while hosting his hour-long, call-in radio program Viewpoint. The call was from a long-time, laid-off autoworker asking what he was supposed to &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/49th-we-care-telethon\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:20px; padding-top:10px;\" class=\"hupso-share-buttons\"><!-- Hupso Share Buttons - http:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/ --><a class=\"hupso_counters\" href=\"http:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/dot.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top:2px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\"\/><\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var hupso_services_c=new Array(\"twitter\",\"facebook_like\",\"google\",\"pinterest\");var hupso_counters_lang = \"en_US\";var hupso_image_folder_url = \"\";var hupso_url_c=\"\";var hupso_title_c=\"49th We Care Telethon\";<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/js\/counters.js\"><\/script><!-- Hupso Share Buttons --><\/div>","protected":false},"author":220,"featured_media":88,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/220"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":91,"href":"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87\/revisions\/91"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/88"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/stellhornrvcom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=87"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}