Rotary Clubs host 45th annual Ernie Blankenship Radio-Telethon March 29
Lead Summary
By
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Courtesy of Hon. Judge Rocky A. and Gayle Coss
The Hillsboro and Greenfield Rotary Clubs will host the 45th annual Ernie Blankenship Radio-Telethon for the benefit of the Highland County Society for Children and Adults on Wednesday, March 29.
The event will be broadcast live from 6-9 p.m. from the US Bank main office in Hillsboro on the local community access channel of the Time Warner Cable System, and on WSRW 101.5 FM and WSRW AM 1590. In Greenfield, the event will be broadcast from 6-9 p.m. from the McClain High School Media Room on the local community access channel of Time Warner Cable System along with periodic broadcasts on radio station WVNU FM 97.5.
The two Rotary Clubs raised almost $105,000 during the 2016 event, all of which is used by the Society to provide assistance and services to Highland County children and adults who have extraordinary expenses for necessary medical treatment, transportation, equipment and other health-care devices. It works in conjunction with other local government and private agencies to provide financial assistance to Highland County residents who have medical expenses not covered by insurance or other programs.
The Society is a unique organization. It was originally established as a local branch of the Easter Seals Society in 1950. Rotary Club members were involved in the founding of the organization and numerous Rotarians have served on its board of trustees.
In 1983, with support of the two Rotary Clubs, the board of trustees decided to become an independent countywide organization because approximately 38 percent of its revenue was being paid to the national Easter Seal Society for advertising and other national expenses.
The board felt that it should use as much of the donations as possible for direct benefit of county residents. Over the past several years, administrative costs have averaged approximately 8 percent of the annual budget, which is extremely low for non-profit charitable groups. Many local health providers work closely with the Society and provide services at a reduced cost to the patients receiving financial assistance.
The first radio-telethon was held in 1973 at the former Hillsboro Bank office in Hillsboro and raised $1,715. During the past 44 years, the two Rotary Clubs have raised nearly three and a half million dollars for the Society. Almost all of the Society’s funds are raised through this event. The Society has seen an increase in financial need for medical expenses by many local families in the past three years, and anticipates this will continue.
Many school classes, youth groups and other local service groups will be conducting fundraising activities for the Society and will have representatives present during the evening to present the proceeds to the Society. Any local group or business is welcome to make their presentation in person on the air.
This year, Herb Day will again join Hillsboro Rotary Club President Rick Williams as a co-host of the event. The first hour of the broadcast in Hillsboro will feature students from county schools and youth organizations who have raised funds for the event.
The Hillsboro portion of the radio-telethon will be live streamed on the internet thanks to Terry Mikkelsen, who has provided the camera and technology services for the local community access station broadcast for the past several years assisted by Ron Hennison, Jr. Persons who wish to watch the live stream on the web can do so by logging on at www.tech-t.com/telethon.
From 6-9 p.m., Rotarians will take pledges by telephone or in person for those who come to the bank during the broadcast. Pledges can be made during the telethon by calling 393-1993. Any donation, no matter the amount will be appreciated. Checks can be dropped off at any local bank or mailed to the Society at P.O. Box 258, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.
* * *
ROTARY RADIO/TELETHON ANNUAL
FUNDRAISING RESULTS (1973-2016)
$1,715
$2,933
$3,171
$6,474
$9,282
$7,664
$8,087
$7,234
$7,868
$7,365
$10,237
$12,355
$14,375
$17,385
$22,809
$27,130
$33,743
$35,650
$35,739
$40,100
$49,900
$48,415
$52,635
$64,100
$107,170
$103,929
$119,075
$128,248
$172,000
$163,278
$175,500
$146,000
$157,000
$202,137
$217,043
$200,025
$144,700
$147,000
$120,000
$143,110
$137,746
$143,715
$103,964
$105,866
Total – $3,463,872.
* * *
HIGHLAND COUNTY SOCIETY FOR
CHILDREN AND ADULTS
HISTORICAL TIME-LINE
November 13, 1950
The Farm and Community Council hosted a meeting at the Highland County Court House to organize a local group to work with The Ohio Easter Seal Society to help crippled children. Representatives of various organizations including Rotary Clubs attended. A total of 51 people became charter members of the Highland County Society for Crippled Children. A constitution and by-laws were adopted.
First Officers and Organizations represented:
President: W.D. Crosley, Health Council; Vice President: Rev. Ed Bousman, Presbyterian Church; Secretary: Mrs. Ferry Roberts, Advisory Council; Treasurer: James L. Byrd, Rotary Club; Easter Seals: Mrs. Doris Smith, Home and Community Council; Programs: Dorothy Winters, County Health Nurse; Viola Grandy, County Health Nurse; Membership: Mrs. George Lucas Home & Community Council; Publicity: Harold Powell, Rotary Club; Freida Simpkins, Civic Club.
1951-1954
Fundraising included Lily Parade flower sales by the Boy Scouts, bake sales, mail campaign, card party and food sales. Rotary shared expense with the society on several equipment purchases for crippled children.
October 12, 1954
The name was changed to Highland County Society for Crippled Children and Adults as part of a new constitution suggested by the Ohio Easter Seals Society. Board members included Hillsboro Rotarians James Byrd, Dr. Clifford Foor, Darrell Hottle, Dr. Carl Sites and James Hapner.
November 25, 1957
Helen Lowell becomes the “File Clerk” to maintain records regarding persons assisted at $5 per month.
January 14, 1959
Helen Lowell hired as the first Executive Secretary at a salary of $30 per month.
April 7-8, 1973
The first Radio-Telethon is held at Hillsboro Bank & Savings in conjunction with National Easter Seals Society Telethon.
February 21, 1978
Name changed to Highland County Easter Seal Society for Crippled Children and Adults to conform to national and state trends as Easter Seals was helping adults as well as children.
March 27, 1979
Betty Collins hired as new Executive Secretary.
August 20, 1981
Incorporated as an Ohio Non-Profit Corporation as Highland County Society for Crippled Children and Adults, Inc.
1982
Severed ties with the Easter Seals Society to become an independent organization.
July 26, 1993
Name changed to Highland County Society for Children and Adults, Inc.
1998
Nina Wharton hired as Executive Secretary.
June 1, 2005
Gayle Coss hired as Executive Secretary.
The Hillsboro and Greenfield Rotary Clubs will host the 45th annual Ernie Blankenship Radio-Telethon for the benefit of the Highland County Society for Children and Adults on Wednesday, March 29.
The event will be broadcast live from 6-9 p.m. from the US Bank main office in Hillsboro on the local community access channel of the Time Warner Cable System, and on WSRW 101.5 FM and WSRW AM 1590. In Greenfield, the event will be broadcast from 6-9 p.m. from the McClain High School Media Room on the local community access channel of Time Warner Cable System along with periodic broadcasts on radio station WVNU FM 97.5.
The two Rotary Clubs raised almost $105,000 during the 2016 event, all of which is used by the Society to provide assistance and services to Highland County children and adults who have extraordinary expenses for necessary medical treatment, transportation, equipment and other health-care devices. It works in conjunction with other local government and private agencies to provide financial assistance to Highland County residents who have medical expenses not covered by insurance or other programs.
The Society is a unique organization. It was originally established as a local branch of the Easter Seals Society in 1950. Rotary Club members were involved in the founding of the organization and numerous Rotarians have served on its board of trustees.
In 1983, with support of the two Rotary Clubs, the board of trustees decided to become an independent countywide organization because approximately 38 percent of its revenue was being paid to the national Easter Seal Society for advertising and other national expenses.
The board felt that it should use as much of the donations as possible for direct benefit of county residents. Over the past several years, administrative costs have averaged approximately 8 percent of the annual budget, which is extremely low for non-profit charitable groups. Many local health providers work closely with the Society and provide services at a reduced cost to the patients receiving financial assistance.
The first radio-telethon was held in 1973 at the former Hillsboro Bank office in Hillsboro and raised $1,715. During the past 44 years, the two Rotary Clubs have raised nearly three and a half million dollars for the Society. Almost all of the Society’s funds are raised through this event. The Society has seen an increase in financial need for medical expenses by many local families in the past three years, and anticipates this will continue.
Many school classes, youth groups and other local service groups will be conducting fundraising activities for the Society and will have representatives present during the evening to present the proceeds to the Society. Any local group or business is welcome to make their presentation in person on the air.
This year, Herb Day will again join Hillsboro Rotary Club President Rick Williams as a co-host of the event. The first hour of the broadcast in Hillsboro will feature students from county schools and youth organizations who have raised funds for the event.
The Hillsboro portion of the radio-telethon will be live streamed on the internet thanks to Terry Mikkelsen, who has provided the camera and technology services for the local community access station broadcast for the past several years assisted by Ron Hennison, Jr. Persons who wish to watch the live stream on the web can do so by logging on at www.tech-t.com/telethon.
From 6-9 p.m., Rotarians will take pledges by telephone or in person for those who come to the bank during the broadcast. Pledges can be made during the telethon by calling 393-1993. Any donation, no matter the amount will be appreciated. Checks can be dropped off at any local bank or mailed to the Society at P.O. Box 258, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.
* * *
ROTARY RADIO/TELETHON ANNUAL
FUNDRAISING RESULTS (1973-2016)
$1,715
$2,933
$3,171
$6,474
$9,282
$7,664
$8,087
$7,234
$7,868
$7,365
$10,237
$12,355
$14,375
$17,385
$22,809
$27,130
$33,743
$35,650
$35,739
$40,100
$49,900
$48,415
$52,635
$64,100
$107,170
$103,929
$119,075
$128,248
$172,000
$163,278
$175,500
$146,000
$157,000
$202,137
$217,043
$200,025
$144,700
$147,000
$120,000
$143,110
$137,746
$143,715
$103,964
$105,866
Total – $3,463,872.
* * *
HIGHLAND COUNTY SOCIETY FOR
CHILDREN AND ADULTS
HISTORICAL TIME-LINE
November 13, 1950
The Farm and Community Council hosted a meeting at the Highland County Court House to organize a local group to work with The Ohio Easter Seal Society to help crippled children. Representatives of various organizations including Rotary Clubs attended. A total of 51 people became charter members of the Highland County Society for Crippled Children. A constitution and by-laws were adopted.
First Officers and Organizations represented:
President: W.D. Crosley, Health Council; Vice President: Rev. Ed Bousman, Presbyterian Church; Secretary: Mrs. Ferry Roberts, Advisory Council; Treasurer: James L. Byrd, Rotary Club; Easter Seals: Mrs. Doris Smith, Home and Community Council; Programs: Dorothy Winters, County Health Nurse; Viola Grandy, County Health Nurse; Membership: Mrs. George Lucas Home & Community Council; Publicity: Harold Powell, Rotary Club; Freida Simpkins, Civic Club.
1951-1954
Fundraising included Lily Parade flower sales by the Boy Scouts, bake sales, mail campaign, card party and food sales. Rotary shared expense with the society on several equipment purchases for crippled children.
October 12, 1954
The name was changed to Highland County Society for Crippled Children and Adults as part of a new constitution suggested by the Ohio Easter Seals Society. Board members included Hillsboro Rotarians James Byrd, Dr. Clifford Foor, Darrell Hottle, Dr. Carl Sites and James Hapner.
November 25, 1957
Helen Lowell becomes the “File Clerk” to maintain records regarding persons assisted at $5 per month.
January 14, 1959
Helen Lowell hired as the first Executive Secretary at a salary of $30 per month.
April 7-8, 1973
The first Radio-Telethon is held at Hillsboro Bank & Savings in conjunction with National Easter Seals Society Telethon.
February 21, 1978
Name changed to Highland County Easter Seal Society for Crippled Children and Adults to conform to national and state trends as Easter Seals was helping adults as well as children.
March 27, 1979
Betty Collins hired as new Executive Secretary.
August 20, 1981
Incorporated as an Ohio Non-Profit Corporation as Highland County Society for Crippled Children and Adults, Inc.
1982
Severed ties with the Easter Seals Society to become an independent organization.
July 26, 1993
Name changed to Highland County Society for Children and Adults, Inc.
1998
Nina Wharton hired as Executive Secretary.
June 1, 2005
Gayle Coss hired as Executive Secretary.