WTMJ/Milwaukee Raises Funds For Korean War Vets' D.C. Trip, Stages 'A Christmas Carol' For 'Kids2Kids'

'Carol' Cast

Two campaigns have ended in success for SCRIPPS News-Talk WTMJ-A/MILWAUKEE's "WTMJ Cares" charity program.

In one fundraising effort, the station raised $130,000 for STARS & STRIPES HONOR FLIGHT to fly KOREAN WAR Veterans to WASHINGTON, DC to visit the KOREAN WAR Memorial.  The campaign was headed by afternoon host JOHN MERCURE.

“It was an honor to talk with the men and women who served in the KOREAN WAR,” said MERCURE. “Telling their stories turned this cause into a calling that I was excited to share with my audience. When we started, we hoped to raise $50,000, but the amazing generosity of our listeners blew us away. This makes me so proud to serve the listeners of WTMJ every day.”

“We are humbled and overwhelmed by the fantastic generosity of the 620 WTMJ audience,” said STARS AND STRIPES HONOR FLIGHT Publicity Chair KARYN ROELKE. “Listeners throughout WISCONSIN stepped up with donations large and small to help us honor our heroes. Because of this spectacular generosity, we look forward to sending a plane full of KOREAN WAR veterans to WASHINGTON on the 'WTMJ Honor Flight' next MAY. Now, thanks to JOHN MERCURE and the WTMJ listeners, our veterans of the 'Forgotten War' are forgotten no more.”

In the other effort, the station's staff staged a MILWAUKEE version of "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" with surprise guests before a sold-out TURNER HALL Ballroom to benefit its "Kids2Kids" toy drive.  The event was the kickoff for midday host CHARLIE SYKES' annual campaign for "Kids 2 Kids," which encourages children to buy and donate toys for others less well off than they are.  GREEN BAY PACKERS radio play-by-play voice WAYNE LARRIVEE narrated the play, with SYKES as Scrooge and Mayor TOM BARRETT, Police Chief ED FLYNN, and others in the cast.   The play will be broadcast on WTMJ DECEMBER 19th and again on CHRISTMAS Eve and CHRISTMAS Day.
 
“Tabbing me as Ebenezer Scrooge was an outrageous bit of typecasting,” said SYKES. “It was a great evening for a great cause as thousands of kids will now open gifts on CHRISTMAS day thanks to our listeners.”

"WTMJ Cares reflects the powerful relationship our hosts have with our generous listeners," said VP/GM TOM LANGMYER. "As WISCONSIN's Radio Station, we know how special this state is, and we're very proud of our hosts and the staff who inspired our audience to give."

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