The Catskill Chronicle

LIBERTY, NY (September 15, 2011) – On the first day of its first-ever “Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon.” Thunder 102, its partner businesses and listeners raised over $14,000.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, located in Memphis, TN was opened by Danny Thomas in 1962 as a treatment and research facility devoted solely to children’s cancer and other catastrophic diseases.  Research findings from St. Jude are shared freely with doctors and scientists all over the world and help not only children, but adults as well. At St. Jude, families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance.

The St. Jude website says that. “Through the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids fund-raising program, country music fans have pledged more than $200 million to St. Jude since the program began in 1989. All segments of the country music industry – radio stations, artists, record labels, artist managers and songwriters – participate in the Country Cares program throughout the year. …”

And so, Thunder 102, a station of the Bold Gold Media Group, has joined the ranks of hundreds of other stations to hold their first annual “Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon,” a two-day effort which brings together radio station fans and businesses to raise money for St. Jude to continue its life-saving mission.

As Thunder 102 personalities Mike Sakell of “Sakell in the Afternoon,” and Paul Ciliberto and Michelle Semerano of “Ciliberto and Friends” hosted the day-long event, and spoke with various country artists throughout the day, a friendly rivalry was taking place in the lobby during the late afternoon.

Howard Braunstein (photo above left) from the M&M Auto Group and Alan Kesten (photo right) from Yellow Cab were trying to outdo the other in bringing in donations. The duo were also competing to sign up St. Jude Partners in Hope – a $20-a-month donation billed directly to a credit card.

Trying to keep order among the many government representatives, business owners, and friends (Thunderheads as the station fondly refers to its fans) in and out of the studio was Al Frangipane (photo left), longtime volunteer for so many charities in the Thunder Country listening area. He also announced the hourly totals, as well as totals from the Bethel Woods Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Boot Cards that have been available at many businesses in “Thunder Country.” Boot Cards will continue to be available through this coming weekend. The list of businesses that have them available can be found by clicking here.

Day 2 of the “Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon” on Thunder 102 starts at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow (Friday, September 16, 2011). To make a donation, or to become a Partner in Hope call 800-720-5944.

And to learn more about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, go to www.stjude.org.

To see more photos or to purchase prints from the “Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon” on Thunder 102, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio by clicking this link: http://chronicle.zenfolio.com/p230837916.