Confetti covers the crowd as the total is announced for the 2020 98.1 KDD “Have a Heart, Do Your Part” Radiothon benefiting Akron Children’s Hospital.
The 21st annual 98.1 KDD “Have a Heart, Do Your Part” Radiothon benefiting Akron Children’s Hospital raised $386,557 in 2 days, bringing the event’s historic total raised to more than $11.8 million.
“I’m truly amazed and couldn’t be more grateful every year for the way the community shows their support for the hospital through Radiothon,” said Nicci Avalon, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals program manager at Akron Children’s.
Throughout the 2-day event, Keith Kennedy, Kat Jackson and Tony McGinty from KDD’s morning show broadcasted live from the hospital’s lobby and encouraged listeners to call or text in a donation.
KDD host Keith Kennedy interviewed patient families, like the Tonsky family, live from the Atrium Lobby at Akron Children’s throughout the 2-day event.
“This event wouldn’t happen without the continued support of everyone at KDD,” said Avalon. “Their passion for this event shows every year, and they do one of the most impactful parts of the event – sharing the incredible stories from our patient families.”
Special thanks to the donors like Giant Eagle and the Women’s Board of Akron Children’s Hospital who stepped up to match donations that came in throughout Radiothon, doubling or even tripling the impact for Akron Children’s patients. Thank you also to Lexus of Akron/Canton, FirstEnergy and Charles Schwab for their ongoing, tremendous support of Radiothon.
Staff from corporate supporters, like FirstEnergy, attended to present checks and volunteer on the phone banks.
Thank you also to the more than 300 volunteers from over 30 area companies, groups and hospital departments who worked the phone banks throughout Radiothon, and the additional 250 volunteers who made the event possible.
Akron Children’s President and CEO Grace Wakulchik (center) stopped by for an interview with KDD host Keith Kennedy (right) and Shelly Brown (left), Akron Children’s vice president of development.
It took a lot of amazing, energetic volunteers from area groups and companies to man the phone banks during Radiothon.
Several area schools came to donate the money they raised as Change Bandits. Spring Hill Elementary raised more than $1,000!
The volunteer group behind The Giving Dolls attends Radiothon frequently to donate dolls for our patients. This year they were joined by patient Emma Pfouts’ mom, Christina Weigand, and brought dolls wearing Emma’s favorite color, teal.
Patient Joey Ricci is this year’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion for Akron Children’s. He came by Radiothon with his dad, Erik (center), to share their story with Keith Kennedy.
Patient Mackenzie Roach brought a really big check with her to Radiothon — she raised more than $10,600 for this year’s event!
This event wouldn’t be possible without Kat Jackson, Keith Kennedy and Tony McGinty (not pictured) from KDD. They broadcast live from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. for 2 days in a row, sharing patient stories and raising money for the hospital.
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