The 9th Annual Team Jack Foundation Radiothon was held on Thursday, September 16. This was the third straight year that the Radiothon was hosted by presenting sponsor, Jim & Sharri Baldonado family and The Home Agency, at their home office in Elwood, Nebraska. Thanks to the Huskers Radio Network and volunteer radio host, Kevin Thomas, the eleven-hour broadcast was an outstanding success!
“This was the third year we have hosted this event at our offices in Elwood, and I have to say I am so proud of the way Elwood, Lexington, Cozad and the surrounding communities have stepped up to make the Radiothon such a success,” said Home Agency President Jim Baldonado. “Andy Hoffman worked so hard establishing the profile of Team Jack in this state, and we are happy that we can help elevate the awareness through this event. Every dollar raised will help the kids in Nebraska get the top-notch care they deserve through the efforts of Team Jack.”
Throughout the day there were family stories along with celebrity interviews highlighting the true struggles of a child fighting brain cancer and explaining the mission of Team Jack and how critical funding impactful research is to move toward a cure. The Team Jack Foundation is committed to funding research for better treatments for kids, and the annual radiothon is an essential piece of the solution.
Kylie Dockter, the Executive Director of the Team Jack Foundation, said, “We saw gifts from $10 to $5,000 during the day, and each dollar has an impact. From the time the phone lines opened at 7:00am until the end of the event at 8:00pm, we were fielding calls from listeners that were moved by the kids’ stories to donate. Andy would have been so proud of how engaged people were. Thanks to everyone that contributed in any way to success of the 9th Annual Team Jack Radiothon.”
Donations were received via the phone bank powered by Applied Connective Technologies and staffed by The Home Agency team as well as online throughout the day. At the end of the day, over $117,000 was raised with donations continuing to come in, with the event total now nearing $145,000.
Hosting a big event in a small town, gives the opportunity for community organizations and businesses to get involved in a way that works for them! From root beer floats to a bake sale to the Elwood and Cozad preschools collecting pocket change fundraising was the name of the game! On-site donors were even treated to a free lunch generously donated by Steakmasters! The Elwood community and surrounding towns are truly dedicated to making a difference in the fight to end childhood brain cancer.
In addition to the event, Jim and Sharri Baldonado family and The Home Agency also sponsored a $25,000 cash giveaway. Beginning August 24, the Foundation began selling $1,000 raffle tickets, with a limit of 42 total tickets being sold. The final four tickets were purchased just before the end of the radiothon broadcast, and the winner was subsequently drawn.
Team Jack is excited to announce that the $25,000 winner was Ron Leifert from Lincoln, Nebraska, on what happened to be his 74th birthday! Team Jack is excited to offer this fun giveaway with the proceeds from the tickets funding important research for childhood brain cancer.
New this year, created to engage school students to join the event, the Foundation started a month-long fundraising challenge with prizes up for grabs sponsored by Applied Connective Technologies, Runza National and Knock-Out Specialties. Schools that participated this year were Elwood, Bertrand, Gering Middle School, West Holt Elementary and High School and St. Mary’s Bellevue, in addition to several individual participants!
The top fundraiser for this contest was The Ross Brothers (Hudson, Axten, Carver and Hollis Ross) from Underwood, Iowa raising $3,328! This September fundraising effort totaled over $12,000 toward the cause as well! The Foundation is thrilled to continue this fundraising program into the future.
Thank you to the following: The Home Agency, Jim & Sharri Baldonado family, Applied Connective Technologies, KLIN, Broadcast House Media|NRG Media, Huskers Radio Network, Jack Mitchell, Lana Green, Lincoln Scheels, Traeger, Fleet Feet Lincoln Omaha, Steakmasters and Sonny’s Super Foods. Lastly, a special thank you to the many businesses and individuals who donated in support of the event and to the families for sharing their stories!
Donations toward the Radiothon are still being accepted. To make a donation, visit www.teamjackfoundation.org/radiothon.
