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Herald, WRGC spearhead local effort to help Katrina’s victims
By Lynn Hotaling
Residents of Jackson County and the surrounding area will have a chance to provide direct financial assistance to the many victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The Sylva Herald, WRGC radio, WestCare, the Sylva Rotary Club, Western Carolina University, Jackson County Commissioners and others are coordinating a community fund-raiser, “Jackson County Cares,” on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 9 and 10.
The fund-raiser will be broadcast live over WRGC beginning at noon Friday and will employ a format similar to the one used on Jerry Lewis’ Labor Day telethons that raise money for muscular dystrophy. Listeners will telephone a special number, 587-6000, to make pledges, and those amounts will be broadcast over the radio. A phone bank in the grand jury room at the Justice Center will be staffed by members of the Sylva Rotary Club and volunteers from Western Carolina University.
Entertainment is planned at the Justice Center on Saturday from 8 a.m until 5 p.m. to encourage people to stop by and make donations in person, said David Skinner, WRGC general manager. Local groups scheduled to perform include The Fiddling Dills Sisters with Jesse Stephens, Marshal Ballew, Karen “Sugar” Barnes, Ian Moore and the Rib Tips and the Fairview Elementary School Choir. The event with close with a rock group, Mother Vinegar, which will play from 4 until 5 p.m.
Area banks – including Wachovia, BB&T, Macon Bank and United Community Bank – have established “Jackson County Cares” accounts so individuals can make donations.
Both Skinner and Sylva Herald President Steve Gray said this week that they expect community response to be huge.
“The people of Jackson County are known for their generosity to those in need, and the people of the Gulf Coast need our help like never before,” Skinner said. “Let’s open our hearts and pocketbooks for these folks. They are hurting.”
After echoing Skinner’s appeal, Gray said the newspaper and radio station felt a responsibility to organize the effort due to the number of calls from individuals that have poured in to both local media outlets.
“Community newspapers and radio stations like The Sylva Herald and WRGC depend on their readers and listeners and have an obligation to provide them with up-to-date information,” Gray said. “In the event of a national disaster like the one that has befallen New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, David and I felt like the newspaper and radio station needed to step forward and provide an outlet for the community’s generosity.”
It is hoped other events will be coordinated to occur during the fund-raiser, Skinner said.
“We are discussing other events which could occur in conjunction with the radio broadcast. A few that come to mind are school and church fund-raisers like car washes, bake sales or yard sales,” he said. “We recognize that what people on the coast need most is money so support agencies such as the Salvation Army and the Red Cross can provide life saving assistance in a coordinated way.”
Organizers hope to get the Cashiers area involved in the effort as well, Skinner said.
“Bottom line is we want everyone in the community to participate.”
As additional details are developed, they will be broadcast over WRGC and will appear on the station’s Web site, www.wrgc.com, and on The Sylva Herald Web site, www.thesylvaherald.com.
Organizations or individuals that wish to organize companion events are asked to contact WRGC’s Annette Parris at 586-2221 or e-mail her at aparris@gacaradio.com.
“This will allow events to be coordinated and to avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts,” Skinner said.
For more information, see the advertisement on page 2B.
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