The Catskill Chronicle

Photos by Carol Montana

LIBERTY, NY (September 13, 2013) – Thunder 102 has announced its 3rd Country Cares For St. Jude’s Kids Radiothon on September 19 and 20. The Radiothon is a fundraising event for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to help in the fight against childhood cancer.

The Thunder 102 Country Cares For St. Jude Kids Radiothon will run from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day and is sponsored by Middletown Medical, Animal Hospital of Sullivan County, Rolling V, Formaggio Cheese Specialties, Yellow Cab 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.

St. Jude treats 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, almost 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 found by clicking this link: www.thunder102.com/#!st-jude-radiothon/cfns.

Another St. Jude fundraising effort, Hoops For Hope, will be held at SUNY Sullivan in Loch Sheldrake on Monday, September 16. For a $5 donation, participants can shoot ten free throws and win prizes. During the Hoops for Hope, Paul Ciliberto of Thunder 102 and Barry Lewis of the Times Herald Record, a weekly guest on Ciliberto & Friends will go head-to-head in a competitive game of “Horse” with Fred Kahn and Larry Chance of The Earls. Everyone is invited to participate. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event begins at 6:00 p.m.

You can listen on September 19 and 20 on your radio, online at www.thunder102.com or by downloading the RadioBOLD app on your iPhone, iPad, iPod or Android. Donate online at Thunder 102.com or by calling 800-720-5944 the days of the Radiothon.