By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — With a raging regional war and quickly rising gas prices on everyone’s mind, Alan Alderer knew this year’s Riley Radio Days would perhaps face its biggest challenge.
Or maybe supporters of the local fundraiser that supports families with children facing their own dire medical struggles saw it differently.
Maybe they saw it as an opportunity to step up when it was needed the most.
That certainly seemed to be the case Friday night at the culmination of the two-day event when supporters and listeners learned this year’s total surpassed last year’s campaign with a total of of $71,858.12.
The community effort provides gas cards and hotel accommodations for Kosciusko County families who need to travel to the Indianapolis children’s Hospital for life-changing medical attention.
Aldefer, who started the annual effort 13 years ago with business partner Michael Bergen, sounded stunned after it was announced live on 107.3 WRSW.
“When we ended up with over $71,000, it just blew me away. I figured we would be in the 60s like last year, and to go over $70,000 again is just wonderful,” Alderfer said afterward.
“What an amazing community we have,” he added.
The annual rally, organized by Kensington Digital Media’s Program Director Kris Lake over the past 13 years, draws on support from everyday listeners, local industry, and even a few youngers who stopped by the studio Friday afternoon to make donations.
The total also includes $4,126 collected during last year’s classic rock concert at Central Park in Warsaw.
Some of the top corporate donations this year included a combined $3,128 from OrthoPediatrics and Tecomet and $3,700 from Explorer Van.
Alderfer said he had been worried ahead of the 26-hour radiothon as gas prices in Warsaw suddenly jumped to more than $3.85 per gallon due to the crisis in the Gulf of Hormuz, which is affecting energy prices across the globe.
Similar concerns arose during the pandemic, Lake recalled.
“We thought during COVID that there was no way anyone would call because everyone was worried about their money … and that was one of our biggest years yet,” Lake said.
“That showed that it doesn’t matter what’s happening in the world, people still recognize the fact that there are people in our community that need our help, and they’re always willing to come through and donate,” Lake said.
Combined, the radiothon has now generated more than $1.2 million in 13 years.
Over the years, Riley Radio Days, with the administrative support of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, has awarded 3,680 grants to different families in need of support.
Last year, it benefited more than 60 families, who were able to tap into the fund, Lake said.
Alderfer read off a long list of supporters who supported the campaign, which included local companies and was led by Cottage Watchman, which served as this year’s title sponsor.
Company founder Frank Rhoades read off the total live on the radio station Friday night.
“It truly is humbling that somebody wants to be so involved with this, so thank you,” Alderfer told Rhoades.
