WRAL-TV retired anchor Charlie Gaddy (right) honors CBC President & CEO Jim Goodmon at the inaugural Easterseals UCP Champions Gala on Friday, October 14, 2016.
A former WRAL-TV legend wanted an award in his name to honor a man who has helped him support an organization he holds dear. Charlie Gaddy served as an esteemed anchor at the WRAL-TV newsdesk for several decades and during that time developed a relationship with United Cerebral Palsy NC. In the 2000’s UCP merged with Easterseals NC, and Gaddy has continued to work to support the mission of the non-profit, to address the needs of children and adults with disabilities.
In 2016, Easterseals UCP created the Charlie and Nancy Gaddy Champions Award, in honor of the former anchor and his wife. Per the Gaddy’s recommendation, CBC President & CEO Jim Goodmon received the inaugural Charlie and Nancy Gaddy Champions Award.
The first-ever Easterseals UCP Champions Gala took place on October 14, 2016, at American Tobacco’s Bay 7 in downtown Durham.
For many years, now-retired WRAL-TV Anchor Charlie Gaddy emceed annual telethon to support United Cerebral Palsy. UCP’s Star Fest first aired on WRAL-TV in 1969, and continued for the following 30 years, with Gaddy as host.
Easterseals UCP said this of the CBC duo:
Charlie Gaddy, the legendary news anchorman at WRAL-TV in Raleigh, NC, and Jim Goodmon, CEO and President of Capitol Broadcasting Company, made it possible for Easterseals UCP to be a part of their family by hosting our Telethon each year. Together they shared the stories of thousands of children and adults whose lives were changed through Easterseals UCP services. Their work forged a path of tolerance and understanding of people with disabilities, their struggles and triumphs.
Retired WRAL Anchor Charlie Gaddy dances with his niece at the inaugural Easterseals UCP Champions Gala in American Tobacco’s Bay 7.
Photos representing the telethons of the past were placed on tables at the Champions Gala to remind participants of the commitment Charlie and Jim have for Easterseals UCP. As Jim Goodmon was behind the scenes –making sure that the telethon was on the air, Charlie Gaddy was the affable host whose heart was completely stolen by every child he met on air. Charlie continues his commitment and love for children through the support of the Easterseals UCP Charlie Gaddy Child Development Center in Raleigh.
Easterseals UCP named the Champions award in honor of Gaddy and his wife, Nancy. The award was created to honor “individuals and organizations who continued dedication to Easterseals UCP is demonstrated through leadership, tireless service and commitment to help make our community a better place for children and adults with disabilities to live, learn, work and play.”
Gaddy wanted Goodmon to be the first recipient.
Without the work of Capitol Broadcasting and WRAL’s continued commitment to people with disabilities and mental health issues in our community, the families we serve wouldn’t have the kind of support and acceptance we have in our schools, our churches, our businesses and our communities throughout the Triangle and North Carolina.
- Find out more about Gaddy, Goodmon and Capitol Broadcasting’s commitment to the UCP on the CBC History website: UCP Telethon
Thanks to Corp’s Angela Francioni and UCP Easterseals for these capcom photos.
