MIX 101.5 raised over $1M in their 20th annual Radiothon for Duke Children’s Hospital.
How is MIX 101.5 like the U.S. Postal Service? No matter the weather, they deliver. That might be a joke worthy of Jake the Jokeman, one of the endearing annual fixtures of MIX 101.5’s Radiothon for Duke Children’s Hospital. A snowstorm hit the Triangle on the second day of the event, causing an early end for the first time in the 20 years Radiothon has raised funds for the kids. But that didn’t stop generous MIX listeners from crossing the $1 million mark in pledges.
“It was a crazy two days for this year’s Radiothon,” said WRAL-FM Vice President & General Manager Ardie Gregory. “We definitely had to compete with the weather for our listener’s attention! I give full credit to Mike, Lynda, Vanna, Jim Kelly and David Crabtree who brought this year’s event to life and were able to motivate our listeners and sponsors to give and give generously from the heart.”
Gregory plans to retire at the end of 2014 after 30 years at Capitol Broadcasting, making this her last Radiothon. And she says it will certainly be one she’ll never forget.
“We intended to have a full two day Radiothon but at 11am on Wednesday, February 12th we were informed that Duke Hospital was going into ‘Severe Weather Policy’ at 1pm, meaning that the Children’s Center would be shutting down for the safety of the patients and staff,” continued Gregory. “So we kicked our ‘begging’ into gear and were able to cross the million dollar mark at 12:55pm! It was so chaotic that I almost can’t remember finishing it up, presenting the check and then sitting in my car for six hours trying to get home. What a way to commemorate our 20th and my final year!”
WRAL-FM Radio Traffic Supervisor/Asst Morning Show Producer Vanna Fox coordinates the event for MIX each year, an event that has become very near and dear to her heart.
“I always stressed over what would happen if bad weather hit during Radiothon,” said Fox. “One year we had a brief morning of ice, when it was in the fall we had a tornado warning, and we did postpone the entire event the year it was scheduled one week after Katrina. However, to have the entire event while the weather was going crazy and all our listeners were rearranging their lives was something we always dreaded. All I can say is, never say never, and never stop believing in miracles!”
The snow didn’t stop the magic.
“A MIRACLE — look at our total, $1,070,242.20 —- now, the Miracle Home. They had pledged $120,000.00….they brought in a check Wednesday morning for $200,000. $80,000.00 difference. Hmmmmm, I would say Terramor Homes was this year’s Miracle! And on top of that, they presented us with the largest single donation to any Radiothon worldwide, in the history of Radiothons.”
MIX staffers worked tirelessly to make the Radiothon happen.
“Isn’t it amazing what happens when people come together for the common good of a child,” said Fox.
Listen to a special Thank You from MIX: