People who listen to any of the Brainerd lakes area Hubbard Broadcasting radio stations typically know when they hear “We are the World,” it’s time for the annual Radiothon to End Child Abuse.
This year’s Radiothon to End Child Abuse is scheduled Thursday and Friday, Dec. 3-4, and this year kicks off the 27th year of the program with a mission to raise money to help end child abuse.
The Radiothon to End Child Abuse is a joint effort by Hubbard Broadcasting with its radio stations WJJY, B93.3, The Power Loon and Cool 103.5; the Child Abuse Prevention Councils of Aitkin, Morrison and Cass counties; the Crow Wing County Child Protection Team; and Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota.
Jeff Hillborn, marketing manager at Hubbard Broadcasting, said since the Radiothon began in 1994 it has grown considerably. A total of $1.63 million has been raised in Crow Wing County, and last year alone $84,353 was raised. These amounts do not include the money raised in the radiothons in Aitkin, Morrison and Cass counties.
Hillborn said most of the money donated to the Radiothon comes from people who live in the Hubbard Broadcasting listening area. However, pledges also are received from snowbirds who migrate to Florida and Arizona during the winter months.
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Hillborn said the Radiothon has received a lot of support from the community. He said it’s nice to see how people challenge one another to match their pledge or donate more to help end child abuse. Hillborn said in the past, the Brainerd fire and police departments have challenged other city departments, Other businesses, like daycares, also challenge others in their field.
“It really gets to be fun and it's just fun to see how the community pulls together and really supports this,” Hillborn said. “We're in such a good community to begin with, people who really do support a lot and support the nonprofit entities and this is just another one that they really support.”
Hillborn said more than 500 people/businesses have repeatedly donated to the Radiothon every year.
The Radiothon not only raises money to end child abuse, but also increases awareness of the problem of child abuse and neglect. During the two days of the Radiothon, people may listen in and find out what is being done in the communities to help end child abuse.
During the two-day Radiothon, people may either pledge money or bid on an auction item by going on the Radiothon website at radiothon.brainerd.com . Auction items will be available for viewing and bidding on Thursday and Friday on the Radiothon website. People who have questions about the auction may call the auction line at 218-454-1589. People who want to make a donation by calling may do so at 218-454-1584.
Hillborn said this year will be different and they will not be broadcasting at the Westgate Mall in Brainerd like they have in the past. The Radiothon will be broadcast from the Hubbard studios in Baxter to abide by COVID-19 regulations and restrictions.
The location may have changed but the need to help end child abuse has not.
“The one thing I would like to emphasize is that I think in this COVID season is the risk that some of these kiddos are facing is probably even heightened now more than it ever has,” Hillborn said. “I don't think the need (to help end child abuse) has changed at all, if anything I think the need has increased.”
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Hillborn said they don’t have an specific goal to raise this year, except to raise more than they did last year.
JENNIFER KRAUS may be reached at jennifer.kraus@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5851. Follow me at www.twitter.com/jennewsgirl on Twitter.
