Ninth Annual Radiothon Sets New Record
On Thursday, July 15, we hosted our ninth annual Radiothon with our amazing partner SuperTalk Mississippi. Not only was the day an incredible opportunity to share Palmer Home with thousands of Mississippians, the event raised a record-setting $334,563.76 for our mission! Over the past nine years, Radiothon has raised more than $2 million for Palmer Home – an incredible number!
President and CEO Drake Bassett holds up our final total once our day ended on SuperTalk. Thanks to you, our final total was $334,563.76 after the shows ended and through the auction. Thank you!
The only state-wide radio network, SuperTalk reaches thousands of listeners every day across its programs including The Gallo Show, The JT Show, Good Things with Rebecca Turner and SportsTalk. On Radiothon day, their programming is dedicated solely to Palmer Home. Our leadership, staff, alumni and children have the opportunity to share their stories and experiences with Mississippians across the state, from Ocean Springs to Olive Branch.
Highlights included hearing personal testimonies from several of the children in our care. Sisters Sierra and Savannah interviewed together and shared their exciting dreams for the future: Sierra, a star in her high school ROTC program, wants to join the military and become a pilot; Savannah, a college student studying business, wants to open her own coffee shop. BJ, a standout athlete, joined the hosts of SportsTalk and discussed his hopes to become a safety on the football team. Nick, a 2021 Hernando High graduate, shared his plans to study sports management at Ole Miss this fall. Another awesome guest was Kimarri, a Palmer Home alum. Kimarri came to Palmer Home at age four, was later adopted by his foster family and went on to play college football. He has since graduated and is now working full-time at an accounting firm.
It was an incredible day filled with heart, passion and fellowship. Our staff manning the phones loved hearing the personal stories of why people were choosing to selflessly give to our mission. Our team loved being together on campus. We’re especially excited for next year’s event, as it will hopefully be hosted in our Wellness Center!
In addition to SuperTalk Mississippi, we’d like to thank several donors who helped make this historic day of fundraising possible. Coffee Central in Hernando graciously donated much-needed coffee and breakfast for our 5:30am start time. Car Wash USA donated car washes as an incentive to encourage call-in donations. Strange Brew Coffeehouse in Starkville donated a portion of the entire day’s proceeds to our mission. Major financial contributors included Madison Charitable Foundation, The Better Life Foundation, the Palmer Home Board of Directors, Southeast Produce Council, Service Specialists, Edmondson Farms/SMP Marketing and Malcolm Reed of HowToBBQ Right.
It truly takes a village to serve the children in our care, and we are so thankful for our village of supporters. Thank you to all who tuned into their local radio station, watched the live stream video and a special thanks to the scores of Mississippians who were compelled to donate during Radiothon. Together we are making a difference for children and families in need.
