Indy Radio: WZPL Raises $624K+ For Make-A-Wish

Dozens of Indiana's most deserving kids will receive their heartfelt wishes thanks to the Smiley Morning Show and WZPL 99.5 FM's 19th Annual Request-A-Thon fundraiser.

The 36-hour songs-for-donations event, held Dec. 3-4, generated $624,072 for Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, which will allow the organization to grant wishes for 78 children who are battling life-threatening medical conditions.

This year's grand total exceeds the previous Request-A-Thon fundraising record and pushes the Smiley Morning Show team past $5 million total raised for Make-A-Wish since Dave Smiley began hosting the event in 2002.

"The Request-A-Thon is always an emotional roller coaster for us and our listeners, but to hear the excitement and appreciation in each child's voice when we raise enough money to grant their wish makes every second worth it," said Dave Smiley, host of the Smiley Morning Show.

To participate in the Request-A-Thon, listeners requested their favorite tunes in exchange for donations to the cause via calls into the Teacher's Credit Union phone bank, text messages or online submissions. During this year's Request-A-Thon, 15 area wish kids and their families visited the ZPL studio to share their wishes with listeners. The average cost of a wish is $8,000.

"We are grateful for the ongoing support of ZPL and the Smiley Morning Show, which has helped us grant more than 700 wishes," said Doug Kelly, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.  "We appreciate this opportunity to share some of our kids' stories with listeners, who are able to hear the impact of their donations on children who are facing a tough road."