CBS 3 And The CW Philly To Host Fifth Annual Ronald McDonald House Charities Phone Bank
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – CBS 3 and The CW Philly will present the fifth annual Ronald McDonald House Charities Phone Bank, a 14-hour on-air fundraiser live across both television stations Tuesday, March 25th, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. The event has raised $3 million for the charity since the first Phone Bank in 2010.
Fundraising segments will air throughout the day, most notably during newscasts and one-hour specials at 9 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Pledges can be made by credit card or check by calling the phone bank at 1-844-977-CBS3 or 1-844-977-2273 throughout the day or by texting the word FAMILY to 20222 for a $10 donation. Viewers can also donate online at www.CBSPhilly.com.
All funds raised through the phone bank will directly benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region, a non-profit organization that creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children in our community.
Anchors Chris May, Jessica Dean, Kathy Orr, Beasley Reece, Ukee Washington, Erika von Tiehl and Kate Bilo will host the event with special appearances by on-air personalities from the CBS RADIO stations in Philadelphia, including Ross Brittain, Valerie Knight and Frank Lewis of 98.1 WOGL's Breakfast Club, Rick Zeoli from Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, Ike Reese of SportsRadio 94 WIP and KYW Newsradio 1060's Cherri Gregg.
RMHC of the Philadelphia Region grants hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to support local non-profit programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. In addition, the charity supports the Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and Delaware Ronald McDonald Houses; 13 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms® in area hospitals such as Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Cooper University Hospital (Camden, N.J.), and Alfred I. duPont Hospital (Wilmington, DE); the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® operated by St. Christopher's Foundation for Children and four scholarship programs for graduating seniors in the area. The charity receives its support from McDonald's Corporation, McDonald's Owner/Operators, corporate donors and McDonald's customers.
"As our staff has gotten to know so many of the families who find a home away from home at the Ronald McDonald Houses, this has become a cause close to our hearts," says CBS 3 and The CW Philly President and General Manager Jon Hitchcock. "We're proud to be able to help raise funds for such a critical need to provide some comfort during a challenging time."
"Now in its fifth year, it is our hope that the phone bank will help increase the awareness of RMHC and raise the necessary funds to continue supporting the health and well-being of local children and families," says Bill Roberson, McDonald's Owner/Operator and President of RMHC of the Philadelphia Region, Inc. "We are grateful for the support and commitment of our many donors, sponsors, CBS 3 and The CW Philly, and we hope viewers will consider calling in to pledge their support on Tuesday as well."
The Ronald McDonald House Charities Phone Bank is presented by Capital One and Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association, and sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management, Coca-Cola, ConEdison Solutions, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, McDonald's Restaurants of the Greater Philadelphia Region, P.J. Whelihan's, Ravitz Family Markets, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and Wells Fargo.
CBS 3 (KYW-TV) and The CW Philly (WPSG-TV) are part of CBS Television Stations, a division of CBS Corporation.