Curtis Media Group, Time Warner Cable and Kohl's partner with N.C. Children's Hospital for N.C. Children's Promise radiothon/telethon
CHAPEL HILL -- For a fourth year, the N.C. Children's Hospital will reach out to more than 1 million people across the state Thursday, Nov. 17, in a live fundraiser aired on radio and television.
Nov. 10, 2005
Curtis Media Group, Time Warner Cable and Kohl's partner with
N.C. Children's Hospital for N.C. Children's Promise radiothon/telethon
CHAPEL HILL -- For a fourth year, the N.C. Children's Hospital will reach out to more than 1 million people across the state Thursday, Nov. 17, in a live fundraiser aired on radio and television.
That day, 14 radio stations owned by Raleigh-based Curtis Media Group will broadcast the N.C. Children's Promise, which is being presented by Kohl's, live from the Children's Hospital lobby. Extensive television coverage will be provided as well by Time Warner Cable, which this year joins the N.C. Children's Promise as a full media partner.
Curtis Media will once again provide entertainment on-site in the Children's Hospital, to keep the energy of its on-air talent and more than 500 volunteers high. This will include in-person appearances by musical performers Buddy Jewell, Blaine Larsen and Tift Merritt.
Another highlight of the event will be an appearance by UNC men's basketball coach Roy Williams from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Coach Williams will unveil this year's Kids Cards designs. The Kids Cards project raises funds through the sale of holiday and note cards to help meet the special emotional, educational and recreational needs of pediatric patients and their families.
Time Warner Cable will provide advance promotion on many cable networks and conduct a fundraising campaign at three of their mall locations. Time Warner Cable's 24-hour local news channel, News 14 Carolina, will also promote the event and will run a special series of stories leading up to the radiothon/telethon. News 14 Carolina anchors and meteorologists will be on location doing two live reports per hour throughout the day.
New in 2005, Kohl's Corporation - through its Kohl's Cares for Kids Program - will support the all-day event as its presenting sponsor. "Kohl's introduced the Kohl's Cares for Kids program to promote children's health and educational opportunities, and is committed to playing an active role in the communities we serve," said Julie Gardner, senior vice president of marketing for Kohl's Department Stores. "We're proud of the partnerships we've created with children's hospitals across the country, and are excited to join N.C. Children's Hospital in this endeavor."
The radiothon/telethon, which will start at 5 a.m. EST and continue until 11:30 p.m., is the annual culmination of the N.C. Children's Promise fundraising effort. Listeners and viewers can phone in their contributions at 1-866-9-NC-KIDS (1-866-962-5437) or make donations through the N.C. Children's Promise Web site at www.ncchildrenspromise.org.
"Each year we get a little better at this," said Curtis Media Executive VP/COO Phil Zachary, "and each year our listeners are more generous. With the breadth of our stations' coverage, the amazing auction items and the support of Kohl's, I'm convinced our fourth annual Children's Promise event will set a new record for one-day giving."
Curtis Media will offer an online auction of many items signed by celebrities, including:
* guitars signed by Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill and many others
* a men's necktie signed by members of Green Day
* a Durham Bulls jersey signed by the entire Dave Matthews Band
"The N.C. Children's Hospital is a critical, life-saving resource for families throughout North Carolina," said Tom Adams, President of the Raleigh Division of Time Warner Cable. "We are delighted to use the resources of our cable operation and our news channel, News 14 Carolina, to help the hospital continue to grow and expand its services."
Dr. Alan Stiles, physician-in-chief at the N.C. Children's Hospital and chair of the department of pediatrics in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, said he is extremely grateful for the extraordinary level of commitment shown by Curtis Media and Time Warner Cable.
"The N.C. Children's Promise raises money for programs and services for the patients of the N.C. Children's Hospital, not mortgages or new buildings," Dr. Stiles said. "Our patients have long been receiving the best care medically possible. The N.C. Children's Promise has helped us to expand and introduce new programs that will keep us on the cutting edge of medical care for children while providing this care in a family-focused and child-friendly environment."
The radiothon/telethon is also a bilingual affair, thanks to Curtis Media's 100,000-watt Spanish-language FM radio station, called "La Ley" or "The Leader." Once again this year La Ley, which broadcasts at 96.9 FM and has the most powerful broadcast signal of any Spanish-language station between New York and Miami, will actively seek radiothon donations from the estimated 400,000 Latinos who live within its coverage area. Spanish-speaking callers can phone in their donations to (866) 855-8355.
Kohl's Department Stores introduced the Kohl's Cares for Kids program to reinforce its commitment to the communities it serves and to promote children's health and educational opportunities. The Kohl's Cares for Kids program also includes Kohl's Kids Who Care, an annual youth volunteer recognition program, fundraising gift cards for local schools and non-profit youth groups, as well as an associate program to encourage volunteerism.
Media contact: Stephanie Crayton, (919) 966-2860 scrayton@unch.unc.edu
