Posted by Bud on January 18, 2010 at 21:46:49:
Chicago radio and television stations, as well as some print publications, all regardless of ownership, will be teaming up to help the American Red Cross and Chicago's Hewitt Associates to raise money for the Chicago Helps Haiti Relief Drive. This united effort will take place on this coming Thursday, January 21st, from 5:00am-11:00pm. The television stations participating include: WBBM-TV, WCIU-TV, WFLD-TV, WGN-TV, WLS-TV, WMAQ-TV, WPWR-TV, WSNS-TV, WTTW-TV, CLTV, an Me-TV. The Chicago area radio stations participating include: all of CBS Radio's stations, all of Clear Channel Radio's stations, all of Univision's radio stations, all three of Bonneville's stations, Both of Emmis' stations, all of NextMedia's suburban Chicago radio stations, WFMT-FM, WGN-AM, WVON-AM, and WKKC-FM. Crain's Chicago Business and The Daily Herald will also be doing what it can to support this effort. Many more media partners are expected to be added in the next few days, as well.
The Chicago radio & television stations mentioned above will blitz the airwaves with public service announcements, strongly encouraging people to call 1-877-565-5000 starting at 5:00am on January 21st to contribute to the American Red Cross Haitian relief effort. The announcements will start as early as Monday morning on some of these outlets.
Lincolnshire-based Hewitt Associates is providing the phone bank staffed by 1,500 employee volunteers to take donations from their north-suburban headquarters, with added support from their three other call centers in Florida, North Carolina and Texas. Many of the TV and radio stations will be broadcasting live from the Lincolnshire phone bank with updates on Haiti relief efforts and Chicago's donation totals.
In 2004, the Red Cross partnered up with Chicagoland media outlets and Hewitt Associates for a one-day telethon to aid victims of the Asian tsunami, with great success. They hope to duplicate or better the 2004 results. Jackie Mitchell, Director of Marketing and Communications of The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago said in a statement "The broadcasters in this city have a keen understanding of the difference they can make when they join forces to get the word out when a major disaster strikes, and we know this will be the case with our effort to help the people of Haiti."
Prior to Thursday's event, Chicagoans can help in numerous ways. Donations can be made to the Chicago branch of the American Red Cross International Response Fund. Even simpler, by texting "Haiti" to 90999, a $10.00 donation will be made to the American Red Cross efforts in Haiti and it will be reflected on your next mobile bill.
Chicagoans may also follow Thursday's Chicago Helps Haiti Relief Drive event on the Chicago Red Cross Facebook and Twitter sites during the drive.