Kokomo Radio: 44th Annual We Care Raises $436K+

In 1973, an on-air radio personality took a call from a laid-off worker, who couldn’t provide Christmas for his family. That’s when the on-air radio personality, known as Dick Bronson, reached into his wallet for half of its contents. Then, he encouraged his listeners on Hit Country 100.5 KI to do the same. Within moments, the Kokomo community raised enough to give the caller a Christmas he couldn’t give his children, and the organization known as We Care was founded.

Forty-four years later, We Care will celebrate a milestone year of fundraising. The organization announced Wednesday morning (12/14/16) – on Hit Country WWKI 100.5 FM – We Care raised a total of $436,192.26 for 2016. The final figure is tallied from money raised during numerous fundraisers held throughout the year, including: a 48-hour telethon, Trim-A-Tree Festival, We Care Store and a Wrap-Up auction.

For Becky Varnell, a veteran volunteer for the organization, announcing the total of We Care's 2016 efforts provokes tears of compassion for what the money will do for the community's members.

"For everyone who donated and contributed: You brought hope to those in need, for those who needed the feeling of hope for Christmas," Varnell said during Wednesday's annual check presentation -- aired live on WWKI." You made it possible for them. I thank you."

Hit Country 100.5 KI is annually honored to help give We Care a voice on its radio airwaves. John Spilman, Vice President and General Manager at Cumulus Media, says the partnership between WWKI and We Care is one that represents how radio and fundraising can work together to serve our local communities.

“We’re grateful to be part of We Care’s beginnings and our continued involvement with an organization that has such an impact on the heart of our community,” Spilman said. “We Care started Monday (12/12/16) with $436,000 in the bank, then gave it all away. That really hits home.”

We Care is unique in that all money raised goes directly to five of Kokomo's nonprofit organizations -- with no administrative costs being removed from the fundraising total. Following Wednesday’s announcement, the organization’s leaders distributed the money to the following organizations in Kokomo:  Salvation Army, The Goodfellows, Kokomo Rescue Mission, Bona Vista and Mental Health Association.

       Volunteers answer phones during the 48-hour event, broadcast on WWKI and on television on Dec. 2-4, 2016.

Van Taylor, executive director of Kokomo Rescue Mission, was emotionally moved by how the $115,000 his organization -- received from We Care -- will impact the spirits of those, who had lost hope for the holidays.

"This is so special, because of the energy, the heart and the compassion of We Care we can give hope back to people," Taylor said. "The looks on these young mothers' faces when we show up at the door with gifts. Tears start streaming from their faces; they really thought gifts weren’t something their families would see Christmas morning. Those gifts are possible because of We Care."