As 2008 comes to an end, the Broadcasters Foundation of America is making an appeal for members of the industry to make a donation to the Endowment Fund so the organization can fulfill its humanitarian mission. “In just the last few years alone, your Broadcasters Foundation has dispensed over $2,900.000.00 in emergency grants to 387 of our distressed and hurting colleagues in 33 states since we grew as a labor of love (and necessity) out of the original Broadcast Pioneers founded by the legendary H.M. Kaltenborn. Thanks to successful broadcasters like you, we are now able to provide timely assistance to the less fortunate in our broadcasting family.”
The request sent to RBR/TVBR by Endowment Committee Chairman Bill O’Shaughnessy reminds us that the Foundation provides a safety net for radio and television broadcasters who have fallen on hard times and been laid low by the vicissitudes of life.
“Some had illustrious careers like you and did quite well until, through no fault of their own, they were overtaken in the prime of their lives by a sudden catastrophic illness or debilitating stroke for which their families were ill-prepared. Many were without health insurance or government assistance of any kind. Several were forgotten and some almost destitute and could not even afford doctors’ visits, medicine or rehabilitative physical therapy,” the letter noted.
“We’ve assisted widows struggling to hold shattered families together following the untimely death of a spouse from a devastating disease. And, working with state associations, the Foundation was there to help fellow broadcasters and their families get back up following the devastation of natural disasters like Katrina, Ike and the California wildfires,” O’Shaughnessy added.
Individual and Corporate contributions are fully deductible and may be made to the Endowment Fund of the Broadcasters Foundation of America, a certified and registered 501-(c)3 Public Charity:
The Broadcasters Foundation of America
Endowment Fund
Seven Lincoln Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-862-8577
www.broadcastersfoundation.org
