25 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 people with children who were going through difficult medical treatment at Christmas time. Ultimately we partnered with Memorial Health who knew a lot of 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. Others just had no joy because of the cancer diagnosis for a child or the parent.
We receive letters from nurses and social workers at Memorial Health Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah and the Memorial Health Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute about specific families they are working with, families not expecting much joy during the season. Starting November 27th, 2023 for two weeks, I read one letter every day (ten total) written by a hospital nurse about a family they are working with, their situation and how you could help keep the holidays alive for their kids. We then meet with the families privately at which time we give them what you donated for them and get them smiling at a very difficult time.
We are primarily asking for monetary donations or gift cards (Visa/American Express, Walmart, Target, etc.) Sometimes it could be a service if it's indicated in their letter (for instance, getting a car repaired so they can get to and from hospital appointments). No family gets cash; we use your donations to purchase a few select items requested in their letter, perhaps pay outstanding bills if appropriate, and give them gas or gift cards so they have an opportunity to go shopping with their family, something they aren’t expecting to do considering the cost of their medical treatment. Consider joining with your co-workers, civic group or church members to adopt a family and answer their wish.
- Bring a donation (cash or check) to Core Credit Union (formerly Memorial Health Credit Union) 901 East 65 Street off Waters Avenue
- Make a donation via PayPal (at our website) **NOTE!!** we do make available paypal as a way to donate if you like. HOWEVER be aware that the IRS is requiring PayPal to withhold 25% of your donation for tax purposes. Even though it's not technically good and services, part of your donation may never reach us. If you wish to donate please consider mailing your donation to us or bringing it to our secure RED donation box outside our Savannah studios. Thank you.
- Mail a donation to us to 98.7 The River Christmas Wish, 245 Alfred Street, Savannah GA 31408. That donation can be cash, check, or store/Visa gift card. Make your check payable to “98.7 The River Christmas Wish.” (Note donations are NOT tax deductible.) If you bring it to us, you can leave it in our Santa-red lock box outside our studios. You can read all the letters on this page to gauge what kinds of things they want or need.
Our sponsor this year is Thompson & Thompson who have also made a generous donation to this year’s Christmas Wish program!
Please note: If you, your family, your group or office have opted to adopt a family, the gifts or donations must be brought to our station no later than December 14th, 2023. We discourage purchasing clothing because of size or style preferences; we would rather the family have opportunity to shop and pick what they would like. Cash donations to Christmas Wish are not tax-deductible.
Got a question? Send Mark an email! mark@987theriver.com
Thank you!