Community pitches in for epic radiothon to support U.S. troops

WHITE LAKE, NY — The largest regional radiothon ever staged in support of families of Hudson Valley troops that have either died or been injured in Iraq or Afghanistan will take place on Saturday, August 22 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will be broadcast from Sullivan County Airport, rain or shine, live on Thunder 102. Listeners can hear it by tuning in to 102.1, 107.7 in the Port Jervis area or 94.9 in Rock Hill. It can also be heard online at www.Thunder102.com .

The Committee for the Families of Iraq and Afghanistan War Vets, an ad-hoc regional 501 C not-for-profit dedicated to raising funds for neighborhood families, is coordinating the event.

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Liberty-based Thunder 102 for the live coverage and The River Reporter for their efforts promoting this event,” said Ray McCarthy, spokesperson for the committee. Thunder 102 has raised the bar by inviting Poughkeepsie-based WRWD to join in raising awareness and funds for families that have suffered losses in these conflicts.

Eighteen Shoprite stores throughout the region will sell dollar-donation cards at the check-out counters. There is a place on each card to write in a soldier’s name. The cards will then be displayed. There are also a variety of in-store events, like flea markets, planned at various locations to add to the customer donations.

Orange and Sullivan counties will also support the event by networking through veterans’ organizations and more. Villa Roma, a Sullivan County resort, is selling dollar-donation cards for $2 a piece—twice the suggested price. Within hours, visitors to the tourist destination had purchased all available cards. “Some are putting them on the windows of their cars to show support,” said Kevin Dowdell, director of sales and marketing at Villa Roma.

Volunteers are needed for phone banks. Businesses are invited to sell dollar-donation cards. For more information or to volunteer call 845/866-6540 or 583/6540.