26 years ago we were getting a lot of calls from listeners wanting to donate locally to help people in need and asking us for suggestions. We thought about a way to help LOCAL people with children who were going through difficult medical treatment at Christmas time. Ultimately we partnered with The Dwaine and Cynthia Willett Children's Hospital at Memorial Health with many such families and thought we could help them get through the holidays which were shaping up to be a difficult time for them. Many had huge bills and could not afford things for their kids from toys to necessities.

We receive letters from nurses and social workers at The Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah at Memorial about specific families they are working with, who are currently being treated for pediatric cancer of other related illness, families not expecting much joy during the season. Starting December 2nd, 2024 for two weeks, Mark reads one letter every day starting at 7:30am which is repeated throughout the day, written by a hospital nurse or social worker about one of those families, their situation, and how you can help keep the holidays alive for the kids. We then meet with the families privately prior to Christmas at which time we have turned your donations into toys they wished for as well as various gift cards to get them smiling at a very difficult time. Those letters are posted here on our page after they're read on air.

This year, for the first time, we are partnering with The Jack Kolbush Foundation, which has been working with Memorial since 2006. While Christmas Wish targets families whose children are currently receiving chemotherapy treatment during the holidays, The Kolbush Foundation helps families that have a child battling cancer year-round, for any family needing help with things like fuel, meals or other expenses while their child is in the hospital or undergoing treatment. The Kolbush Foundation provides anything from gift cards to cover expenses to paying pending bills the family cannot pay due to the medical costs of caring for their child. The Kolbush Foundation accepts donations to keep their fund going, and the donating person or business receives a tax deduction. Find out more at kolbushfoundation.org. This year, the donations we receive for our Christmas Wish families will be deposited into the Foundation’s account and will then be used to purchase the family’s wish as indicated by the nurses’ letters. As such, we can only accept checks (made payable to THE KOLBUSH FOUNDATION with CHRISTMAS WISH in the check’s memo line). Your donation still goes to help our families, but you receive a tax deduction if you want or need it. If your contact information is not on your check, please include it with your donation so we can contact you. We can also accept gift cards for these families to businesses such as:

• Walmart
• Target
• Kroger
• American Express Gift Cards (which can be redeemed anywhere). Sometimes it could be a donated service if it's indicated in their letter (for instance, getting a car repaired so they can get to and from hospital appointments). We can also pay outstanding bills if appropriate, especially if the family is in Savannah from out of town and helping with a pending bill can often give them some peace of mind while tending to the health of their child. Consider joining with your co-workers, civic group or fellow church members to adopt a family and answer their wish. And any business wanting to donate will also receive a tax deduction. We respectfully request that you not purchase toys and gifts and allow the families to enjoy the fun of shopping thanks to your donation. We discourage purchasing clothing because of size or style preferences of the families but instead consider a gift card to that business..
• Your check can be mailed to 98.7 The River Christmas Wish 245 Alfred Street Savannah, GA 31408 or it can be brought to our studios where there is a secure RED lockbox outside the front door for your donation of a check or gift card. (Made payable to THE KOLBUSH FOUNDATION with CHRISTMAS WISH in the check’s memo line)

Our sponsor this year is Thompson & Thompson who have also made a generous donation to this year’s Christmas Wish program!

Got a question? Send Mark an email! mark@987theriver.com
Thank you!