Saga Communication’s Jonesboro Radio Group in Arkansas held its 26th annual Have-a-Heart Wishathon. The six-station cluster raised $467,966 for the benefit of the Make-A-Wish Foundation with the help of Gray Television’s local station KAIT-TV.
The 13-hour broadcast galvanized community support across seven counties, with hundred of volunteers participating at 19 collection locations. School fundraisers contributed more than $120,000 to the total amount raised. Over its 26-year history, the Have-a-Heart Wishathon has garnered more than $9 million, directly supporting the granting of wishes for children with critical illnesses.
Saga Jonesboro GM Trey Stafford said, “Christie Matthews, our KDXY program director at the time, brought Make-A-Wish to us 26 years ago. We were all bitten by the Make A Wish bug and, luckily, we can’t get over it!”
KAIT-TV GM Hatton Weeks added, “KAIT is thrilled to play a role in making this event happen. What Make A Wish does for kids fighting critical illness is indescribable. You don’t understand it until you actually see it.”
