The Catskill Chronicle

Money Raised Will Be Donated To St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

LIBERTY, NY (September 6, 2011) – Radio station Thunder 102 of Liberty, NY is has announced its first ever “Country Cares For St. Jude’s Kids Radiothon,” which will take place on September 15 and 16. The event is a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to help in the fight against childhood cancer.

The “Country Cares Radiothon” will run from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day and is sponsored by M & M Auto Group, Yellow Cab, Formaggio Cheese, Catskill Regional Medical Center, Hilltop Homes and Bethel Woods Center For The Arts.

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital was founded by entertainer Danny Thomas and opened in 1962. Its mission … to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.

In 1989, Randy Owen, member of the country group Alabama, met with founder Danny Thomas who asked him to play a part in curing childhood cancer and “Country Cares” was born. The first “Country Cares” event was designed as a nationally syndicated radiothon and it raised $1 million for St. Jude. However, these pioneers knew the country music industry and its fans were eager to do more and “Country Cares” has expanded to include over 200 radio stations across the United States. Make that 201 with the addition of Thunder 102 in Sullivan County, New York, whose ThunderHeads are anxious to become supporters of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Country Cares.

St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and around the world.  The protocols, developed by St. Jude’s research, help not only children in Thunder Country, but adults as well. These protocols are used by local doctors and hospitals in the treatment of local patients.

Besides the actual days of the Radiothon, over 50 businesses throughout Thunder Country are currently selling Bethel Woods Country Cares For St. Jude’s Kids Boot Cards for a minimum $1 donation, with more business being added each day. To donate, stop by one of the participating businesses listed below.

Also part of the week of fundraising efforts, the Monticello Dugout Club will be hosting the “1^st Annual Homers 4 Hope Charity Home Run Derby” to benefit St. Jude’s at Monticello High School on Thursday, September 15.  For more information on this event, please call Mike Marra at (845) 794-8840. Other events are being planned and a more up-to-date listing of all events will be released closer to the dates of the Radiothon.

For a full list of Bethel Woods Country Cares For St. Jude’s Kids Boot Cards Locations click here: http://www.thunder102.com/?pid=74771.