Statewide telethon to benefit ARC’s disaster relief fund

OAK HILL — West Virginia Media Holdings is teaming up with the American Red Cross to appeal to television viewers statewide to help replenish the depleted Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

A weeklong telethon is set for the week of Nov. 17 to 21. Four West Virginia Media stations — WBOY in Clarksburg, WTRF in Wheeling, WOWK in Charleston/Huntington, and WVNS in Beckley — will devote part of each newscast during the week to highlighting the work of the Red Cross and urging people to call 1-877-553-4048 to donate to the Disaster Relief Fund. The fundraising goal for the campaign is $100,000.

“West Virginia Media Holdings lives its mission — to improve the quality of life for all West Virginians — each day with countless philanthropic projects such as this telethon,” said Roseann Berry, executive director of the Fayette-Nicholas chapter “This partnership is such a great fit, because our missions are so similar — to make life better for our friends and neighbors. “

In September, the Red Cross launched a $100 million nationwide fundraising campaign named The Campaign for Disaster Relief: Disasters Change Lives. You can too.

In the past year, the Red Cross has spent $263 million to provide the disaster services the country has come to rely upon, Berry points out.

The Disaster Relief Fund allows the Red Cross to provide emergency assistance to help victims of disasters meet their immediate needs for food, shelter, counseling and other critical services. The Red Cross responds to 70,000 disasters each year — the majority of them “silent” disasters never making the news. After tragedy strikes, the Red Cross relies on this fund to mobilize volunteers and resources to help communities throughout the United States.

The Campaign for Disaster Relief Telethon will give local news viewers the opportunity to hear how the Red Cross impacts the lives of families every day, and make a gift to the Red Cross by calling 1-877-533-4048. Volunteers will accept pledges over the phone, which can be fulfilled by check or credit card. Viewers will also hear stories from local citizens who have been helped by Red Cross disaster, military and health and safety programs, and will meet the dedicated volunteers who carry out the organization’s humanitarian mission.

If your school, church or civic group would like the opportunity to appear on the telethon and present a gift to the Red Cross, contact Berry at 304-469-4636.

For more information on the Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org.

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