CountryCool.com Helps WMZQ Raise $1 Million for the Kids of St. Jude

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (ALSAC)
Tuesday, 8 February 2000

(Washington, D.C., February 8, 2000) CountryCool.com, the leading country music portal on the Web, helped WMZQ, Washington's top country music station, while their loyal listeners made history as they raised a record $1,001,547.00 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The two-day "Country Cares for St. Jude Kids®" Radiothon, held Feb. 4 and 5 at Landmark Mall in Alexandria, Va., was coupled with an online auction hosted on CountryCool.com, which helped double last year's event totals. This is the first year the auction was held online, solely raising almost $8,000 from bids on unique signed country music memorabilia.

The radiothon brought Washington D.C. area St. Jude patients Rachel Love and John Husson to join in the fun and make a plea for donations to St. Jude. Rachel, who dreams of returning to St. Jude one day as a phlebotemist and patient caregiver, returned for her fourth WMZQ Radiothon to support the efforts of St. Jude. WMZQ VP/GM Bennett Zier commented, "We are honored to have such responsive, caring listeners. They deserve all the credit for this huge fund-raising accomplishment." CountryCool.com President/CEO Carol Walcoff agrees, admitting, "CountryCool.com is proud to be part of such a winning team and a devoted fan following that so dedicatedly supports such wonderful charitable organizations as St. Jude."

Visitors to the radiothon were welcomed with several different activities such as caricature drawings, face painting, a Prize Wheel with beanie babies and gift certificates, clowns and the ever-entertaining WMZQ on-air personalities. WMZQ personalities Gary Murphy and Jessica Cash, Jon Anthony, Carol Munse, Mike Kelly, Ed Rodriguez, Seth Warner and Bernie Lucas worked tirelessly throughout the radiothon to raise money from Washington D.C. metro residents.

"CountryCares" began in 1989 after Randy Owen, lead singer of the group, ALABAMA, challenged the country music industry to support St. Jude after meeting hospital founder Danny Thomas. The program is one of the most successful fund-raising events in the U.S., raising more than $107 million for cancer research.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, is an internationally recognized biomedical research center dedicated to finding cures for catastrophic diseases of childhood. The hospital's work is supported through funds raised by the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC).

All St. Jude patients are treated regardless of their ability to pay. ALSAC covers all costs of treatment beyond those reimbursed by third party insurers and total costs for families who have no insurance.

For more information, or to contact St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (ALSAC), see their website at: www.stjude.org