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2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon

WRAL-TV Viewers Come Through with $125K in 2016 Coats for Children Telethon

  • Andrea Osborne
  • December 14, 2016
  • News
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“What could be better during the holiday season than raising money for the Salvation Army, so they can help hundreds of local families have a warmer winter and a more joyful Christmas?”
– WRAL-TV Director of Local Production Phyllis Parish

2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Tim King captures the action for WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.

On Friday, December 7, 2016, WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon took over Studio A.  The daylong effort focused on raising funds to buy winter coats, gloves, hats, long underwear and toys for Triangle children in need.  As they have proven time and time again, WRAL-TV viewers are incredibly generous, donating $126,178 during the Telethon!

Many viewers have contributed to WRAL-TV’s and the community’s efforts to raise funds to help those affected by Hurricane Matthew.  But our loyal followers dug deep and gave again for the Coats for the Children campaign.

WRAL-TV Director of Local Production called it “a very strong day, thanks to our compassionate, generous viewers.”

Parish produced the telethon, also a WRAL tradition.  She coordinated the volunteer phone bank which remained open between 6:00am – 7:30pm.  And then produced a full-hour special at 1pm and half-hour special at 7:00pm.

She shared her thoughts about the amazing day with Capcom:

WRAL-TV's Sharon Farrington came in on her vacation day to help with the accounting end of WRAL's Coats for the Children Telethon. She said, "I love the Coats telethon. It makes me aware of how blessed I am. That's why I like to help on the accounting table and give back."
WRAL-TV’s Sharon Farrington came in on her vacation day to help with the accounting end of WRAL’s Coats for the Children Telethon. She said, “I love the Coats telethon. It makes me aware of how blessed I am. That’s why I like to help on the accounting table and give back.”

Telethon day is magical. It’s heartwarming and this year was even more so…the weather was really cold, so our viewers were reminded what it would be like to go outside without a warm coat. We also made snow out on the WRAL plaza, courtesy of Southern Snowman. This helped emphasize the cold winter months ahead.

Inside Studio A, our telethon set looked and felt like a holiday festival. And the energy among WRAL’s production team and the phone volunteers was ‘off the charts’ positive! When you step into Studio A on Coats Telethon day, you see the best example of teamwork between WRAL, the Salvation Army, community sponsors and volunteers. Magical. 

The Coats Telethon is one of my favorite projects. This year, I learned how important the telethon is to other WRAL employees. Friday was a vacation day for FOX 50 Receptionist/Business Assistant Sharon Farrington, but she came to the station to volunteer on the Accounting table because she loves the telethon and helping her community. In early December, WRAL-TV Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel hosted a night golf tournament with his buddies and raised over $2,300 for the Salvation Army! WRAL-TV Personalities Ken Smith, Aimee Wilmoth, Laura Leslie, Mikaya Thurmond, Candace Sweat and Mandy Mitchell all volunteered to answer phones before or after their work days. They shared their personal time to help families in need. Heartwarming.

Greg Fishel & Jerry Markoch
WRAL-TV’s Greg Fishel came up with his own idea to help support WRAL’s efforts. He and his friend Jerry Markoch played golf in the dark for donations to WRAL’s Coats for the Children.

What could be better during the holiday season than raising money for the Salvation Army, so they can help hundreds of local families have a warmer winter and a more joyful Christmas? That’s why the Coats Telethon team loves this project. It’s magical, heartwarming and fun!

WRAL-TV has set a goal of $150,000 for the entire Coats for the Children Campaign, which began in mid-November and runs through December 31st.  Monetary donations are being accepted online at WRAL.com, searching with the keyword ‘Coats’ or text COATS to 41444 to make a debit/credit card gift of any size. (Messaging & data rates may apply.)

Viewers can also drop-off new or gently used coats or new toys at a variety of Jiffy Lube locations in the area.  Find a full list of drop-off locations HERE.

Thanks to all the generous WRAL-TV viewers who contributed during Telethon!

SLIDESHOW:  2016 WRAL-TV Coats for the Children Telethon

2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Studio A is abuzz with activity during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV welcomes volunteers to the studios for WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Gary Tann works in Master Control during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Debra Morgan interviews Salvation Army staffers during a faux snowstorm set up outside the WRAL studios for the WRAL-TV Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Debra Morgan interviews Salvation Army staffers during a faux snowstorm set up outside the WRAL studios for the WRAL-TV Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV personalities Ken Smith (center) & Aimee Wilmoth (right) volunteer on the phone bank for WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Steve Elizondo & WRAL-TV’s Anita Normanly work to capture video and stills during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Tim King captures the action for WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Tim King and WRAL-TV’s Alison King, members of the crew, work behind-the-scenes for WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Wendy Gatlin manages the social media for WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Studio A is abuzz with activity during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Studio A is abuzz with activity during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Studio A is abuzz with activity during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Jodella Lifsey works behind the scenes on the accounting end of WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Al Robinson works one of the cameras in Studio A during the WRAL-TV Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
Wool E. Bull has fun with phone bank volunteers during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Studio A is abuzz with activity during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Studio A is abuzz with activity during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Phyllis Parish, Executive Producer of WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon, helps WRAL-TV Anchor Ken Smith with a question as he volunteers on the phone bank in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Studio A is abuzz with activity during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Phyllis Parish captures the action in Studio A to post on social media during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon takes place in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV’s Studio A is abuzz with activity during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
Santa greets WRAL legend, retired Anchor Charlie Gaddy as he arrives in Studio A for WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon ion Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL legend, retired Anchor Charlie Gaddy arrives in Studio A for WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon ion Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV Anchor Debra Morgan gives a big welcome hug to WRAL legend, retired Anchor Charlie Gaddy as he arrives in Studio A for WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon ion Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
Fun on the set during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
Fun on the set at WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV Anchor Bill Leslie makes an on-air pitch during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
Volunteers take calls on the phone bank during the WRAL-TV Coats for the Cihldren Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV Anchor Debra Morgan interviews WRAL-TV Anchor Ken Smith during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
Wool E. Bull helps out with the fun during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV Anchor Ken Smith chats with WRAL legend, retired Anchor Charlie Gaddy during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV Anchor Debra Morgan interviews WRAL legend, retired Anchor Charlie Gaddy during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV Anchor Debra Morgan interviews WRAL legend, retired Anchor Charlie Gaddy during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.
2016 WRAL-TV Coats for Children Telethon
WRAL-TV Anchor Debra Morgan interviews WRAL legend, retired Anchor Charlie Gaddy during WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Telethon in Studio A on Friday, December 9, 2016.

 

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