2011 CKNX Health Care Heroes Radiothon Raises over $666,400

Pictured are the CKNX radio personalities and Radiothon
volunteers at the end of the day on October 15th, 2011
at the CKNX studio in Wingham, Ontario.

The journey began in 2002 when the idea of putting a Radiothon together first was laid out at the table. Led by a small number of volunteers the "Millon Dollar" Health Care Heroes Radiothon was created to support several local hospital foundations spearheaded by the foundation in Mount Forest.

Over the years the dollar figure grew and the evolution of the Radiothon took shape, turning into the CKNX Health Care Heroes Radiothon.

This year marked the Tenth Anniversary of the Radiothon. 16 hospital foundations put their resources together and, along with CKNX, put together the unique all day eight hour fundraising event. The entire event was broadcast on air on CKNX radio stations 101.7 The One, 94.5 The Bull and 920 AM.

By the end of the day on Saturday, October 15th, 2011 over $666,443 was raised! Over $7,100 of this total was raised for Centre Grey Hospital in Markdale.

Radiothon chair Heather Glenister, of the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich, says: "It's a big congratulations to our communities. We wouldn't be here without them (the donors). Just looking around the room today seeing everybody and seeing the familiar faces that have been here for 10 years volunteering for this event make it very special."

Huge Day for Health Care in Midwestern Ontario

The 10th Annual CKNX Health Care Heroes Radiothon held Saturday October 15, 2011 topped $666,000 in donations and more money continues to be dropped off at the 16 participating hospital foundations.

CKNX AM920 Program Director Scott Pettigrew says not only did they raise a lot of money for area hospitals but it was a celebration of the money raised over the last 10 years for health care in Midwestern Ontario. Pettigrew noted they are closing in on the 7 million dollar mark and could hit that total by December. He anticipates by the time the books are closed on this year's event the 2011 total will be over $800,000.

Chair of the organizing committee Heather Glenister of Goderich thanked CKNX AM920, 101.7 The One and 94.5 The Bull for the ongoing support of the hospital foundations in the region. Owner of Blackburn Radio Inc. Richard Costley White was on hand to present a cheque for $16,000 from the Blackburn Family Foundation.

The 2011 Great, Humongous, Hospital Penny & Change Drive

Pictured (L-R) are Luke Meyers and Logan Battaglia with some of the buckets of change that were collected for the 2011 Great, Humongous Hospital Penny & Change Drive from the six participating elementary schools. High school students Luke and Logan graciously volunteered many hours of their time to help the Foundation sort and count over $2,280 of pennies and change using Coin Star change machines. Thanks for your help Luke & Logan!

Markdale girl wins 2011 Story Writing Contest

Read her story about Centre Grey Hospital: October 2011 Centre Grey Hospital, Markdale I was nervous when we went to get our flu shots at the hospital. My first surprise was the receptionist was a lady I knew from the library. The nurse giving the needles was a lady I had met at the farmer’s market. I really like her and the needle hardly hurt at all. On the way out of the hospital we met up with Dr. Fred who I often see riding his motorcycle around town. What I like best about our hospital is that the people who work there are friends of my family and members of my community. By Katie Spence St. Peter’s and St. Pauls Elementary School, Durham

Pictured (L-R) are Adele Goldsmith, Katie Spence and Lynda Kendall. Adele and Lynda are friends of Centre Grey Health Services Foundation and have been volunteering on behalf of CGHSF at the CKNX studio on Radiothon Day for the past four years. They are shown with Katie Spence who was the local winner of the girl’s bicycle in this year’s CKNX Story Writing Contest.

BBQ Event

Pictured L-R:
Ashley Warrington, Feversham Senior Ambassador
Cayley Routenburg-Brown, Markdale Senior Ambassador
Bryanna Walker, Dundalk Senior Ambassador
Kevin Fell, Radio Personality from 94.5 The Bull
Olivia DeJong, Dundalk Junior Ambassador
Cassidy Thompson, Feversham Junior Ambassador
Chloe Willis, Markdale Junior Ambassador

This photo was taken at Centre Grey Health Service Foundation’s Charity BBQ event, held at SideKicks Café on Saturday October 15th, 2011 from 2pm to 4pm. The BBQ event was held in celebration of the CKNX Health Care Heroes Radiothon, of which CGHSF has been a part of for five years now. The Ambassadors did the draws and made the announcements live on the CKNX radio stations for the Ice Cream Parties for the six elementary schools that participated in the 2011 Great, Humongous, Hospital Penny & Change Drive. Radio personality Kevin Fell from 94.5 The Bull was on hand to host the live radio interviews from inside Sidekick’s Café and to sample the BBQ offerings.