SuperTalk Mississippi hosted its 8th Annual Radiothon benefiting Palmer Home for Children on Thursday, July 23. Listeners from across the state tuned in to SuperTalk Mississippi from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and heard personal testimonies directly from children, alumni, staff, and supporters of Palmer Home as they shared information on the organization’s mission and history, their vision for the future, and impactful stories during The Gallo Radio Show, The JT Show, In a Mississippi Minute with Steve Azar, Good Things with Rebecca Turner, and SportsTalk Mississippi.
J.T. Williamson, host of The JT Show made a special appearance during the Radiothon. As JT was discussing his love for Palmer Home on the show, Palmer Home’s President and CEO Drake Bassett surprised the longtime radio host by announcing the creation of the JT Williamson Education Support Fund. The fund honors JT’s continuous dedication and passion that he has shown to Palmer Home for Children through the years. A portion of the funds raised during The JT Show will go directly to the fund and support the educational needs of Palmer Home for Children’s transitional students, ages 18-24, who are making their pathway to independence.
Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, both Palmer Home and SuperTalk worked together to adapt and thrive. The day ended with $276,526 raised and additional funds continued to flow in over the weekend. This money along with proceeds from the silent auction brought the final total raised to $293,760.
“COVID-19 has impacted so many people in our community. We are simply blown away by the amount raised at this year’s 8th annual Radiothon,” said Drake Bassett, President and CEO of Palmer Home for Children. “Palmer Home has provided care to vulnerable children for over 125 years. Thanks to SuperTalk, their listenership and the people of Mississippi, we will be able to continue to say ‘yes’ to children in need of restorative environments.”
In 2013, SuperTalk Mississippi declared Palmer Home for Children as the network’s charity of choice and established the annual Radiothon to support basic operational needs of the organization. Over the past eight years, this annual event has raised over 1.8 million dollars.
“Palmer Home for Children is truly a blessing and safety net to children in need,” said Kim Dillon, President and CEO of Telesouth Media. “This faith based non-profit organization accepts zero federal and state dollars and depends solely on private donations. We are honored to partner with Palmer Home as our charity of choice and proud of the difference these donations will make to restore and rescue children. As we have said, we can save one child at a time. Today was not only about raising money but creating an awareness of the mission of Palmer Home. Hope does grow at Palmer Home!”
Donations are still welcome and can be made at any time. To make a onetime donation, or to learn how to make a monthly donation and become a Palmer Hero visit palmerhome.org/donate. For more information, please contact Kristin Budzak at kbudzak@palmerhome.org.
