Nationwide fundraiser helps send 55 special children and families on dream vacation
DALLAS (October 22, 2012) – Kidd Kraddick, host of the most-listened-to morning program in America, announced today that more than $533,000 was raised during last Wednesday’s annual Kidd’s Kids Day to send 55 terminally/chronically ill and physically challenged children and their families to Walt Disney World in Orlando next month. It was the first time in the event’s 21-year history that the half-million-dollar mark was topped.
“I can’t tell you how overwhelmed and appreciative I am to everyone that contributed their time, talent and dollars to our most successful Kidd’s Kids Day ever,” said Kraddick, the nationally syndicated radio and television personality. “Every year our labor of love gets bigger and better, and I am so thankful to our listeners and partners for going above and beyond to help these very special kids and their families.”
On Wednesday, October 17th – dubbed Kidd’s Kids Day – the entire Kidd Kraddick in the Morning radio program was dedicated to the annual charitable initiative. The morning show used its time to educate listeners about the Kidd’s Kids program as well as solicit for needed funds. The audience heard directly from children and families that are attending this year’s 21st-annual trip and many others who have previously experienced the dream vacation.
During the Kidd’s Kids trip – which is scheduled for November 8-12 – the selected children and their families enjoy all the excitement that a Walt Disney World/Kidd’s Kids getaway can offer. For many families with terminally/chronically ill or physically challenged children, this is a rare opportunity to escape hospitals and treatment centers and share laughter and fun in a magical environment. Kidd’s Kids covers all expenses related to the trip.
A panel of doctors and nurses studies every application and has the unenviable task of choosing each year’s Kidd’s Kids. Children selected for the trip are between the ages of 5 and 12, suffer from a chronic or terminal illness, are physically challenged and/or have a catastrophic impairment due to an injury or accident. The selection panel makes certain that the children won’t have their health affected by a five-day trip with other families and a park full of strangers. The children must reside in the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning radio listening area, be able to appreciate the trip, and demonstrate a financial need.
Several corporations and individuals stepped forward in a major way to make this year’s event a huge success. Special thanks goes to Southwest Airlines employees volunteered their time to man the Kidd’s Kids phone bank and data entry center at the company’s Dallas headquarters facility and Raising Canes for donating 15% of the net proceeds from the day’s sales.
Kidd Kraddick in the Morning is a syndicated morning radio show that can be heard on more than 85 stations across the country, and on American Forces Radio, from 6:00 AM to 10 AM CST. Kraddick and his team are also featured on the nationally syndicated television entertainment program Dish Nation. For more information visit www.yeanetworks21.wpengine.com
For more information on Kidd’s Kids, visit www.KiddsKids.com, or follow the charity on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/KiddsKids) and Twitter (www.Twitter.com/KiddsKids).
ABOUT THE KRADDICK FOUNDATION®
The Kraddick Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1991 by award-winning morning show personality Kidd Kraddick. The Foundation and its programs were created to make a difference in the lives of children with special medical needs. The Kraddick Foundation is certified by the state of Texas and registered with the appropriate state departments of each syndicated affiliate market. The Foundation’s two main programs are Kidd’s Kids and the Glamour Squad. To learn more, visit www.KraddickFoundation.com.