"Chain of Checks Radio-Thon" Raises Money for Homeless Children
By: Carmen Chau
Updated: December 14, 2012
WINCHESTER, VA - There are homeless children that live in a car, sleep at a friend's house and have no money for school pictures, but one local radio station stepped in to change that.
His name is Barry Lee, he's known as Winchester's local morning radio show personality for WINC-FM.
This time, he is not just bringing the community together for music, but for a good cause by helping 800 homeless children.
"They are identified through Winchester city schools, Frederick County schools and then Loudon County through the school system and through mobile homes will be working with them," says Lee.
Lee explains the term "homeless" does not necessarily mean not having a roof over their heads.
"It could be rotating on a different night on a different sofa. It could be relatives, friends, it could be a shelter, it could be sharing motel rooms, it could literally be a car or tent," says Lee.
There are precious dollars that families do not have and WINC-FM worked with Winchester, Frederick and Loudoun County to the change the lives of these 800 children.
Volunteer operators were on standby to answer calls from the community, all who were making a donation.
"People, oh my gosh, this community ... I mean, our listeners are so so good. They're calling in for donations, we have match hours, corporate sponsors, and people calling in answering the calls, donating a dollar, we started in 1986 asking for a dollar at a time," says Lee.
One volunteer says she likes helping a community her children are a part of.
"I got into this, it helps the kids, our children are both in the Winchester school as well so that's why I wanted to be involved in it," says Kristy Walker, a volunteer operator.
It was day two of the Chain of Checks Radio-Thon and so far, the station has raised approximately $31,000 , an amount that they hope will only go up.
WINC-FM will be taking donations on their website and they are also accepting checks. The deadline is December 1st.
His name is Barry Lee, he's known as Winchester's local morning radio show personality for WINC-FM.
This time, he is not just bringing the community together for music, but for a good cause by helping 800 homeless children.
"They are identified through Winchester city schools, Frederick County schools and then Loudon County through the school system and through mobile homes will be working with them," says Lee.
Lee explains the term "homeless" does not necessarily mean not having a roof over their heads.
"It could be rotating on a different night on a different sofa. It could be relatives, friends, it could be a shelter, it could be sharing motel rooms, it could literally be a car or tent," says Lee.
There are precious dollars that families do not have and WINC-FM worked with Winchester, Frederick and Loudoun County to the change the lives of these 800 children.
Volunteer operators were on standby to answer calls from the community, all who were making a donation.
"People, oh my gosh, this community ... I mean, our listeners are so so good. They're calling in for donations, we have match hours, corporate sponsors, and people calling in answering the calls, donating a dollar, we started in 1986 asking for a dollar at a time," says Lee.
One volunteer says she likes helping a community her children are a part of.
"I got into this, it helps the kids, our children are both in the Winchester school as well so that's why I wanted to be involved in it," says Kristy Walker, a volunteer operator.
It was day two of the Chain of Checks Radio-Thon and so far, the station has raised approximately $31,000 , an amount that they hope will only go up.
WINC-FM will be taking donations on their website and they are also accepting checks. The deadline is December 1st.
