CLEVELAND — WKYC Studios and Oswald Companies are partnering to broadcast a fundraising telethon on on Thursday, Sept. 26, on 3News from 5:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. The goal of our media coverage? To raise critically needed dollars for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio, which recently had to close more than a dozen clubs due to federal funding cuts.
BGCNEO was formed in 2019 by the merger of clubs in Cleveland, Akron, Lorain County, and Sandusky. The organization provides kids ages 6-18 with free homework help, sport activities and meals.
There are now 32 clubs open across Cuyahoga, Summit, Lorain, Erie, Huron, and Ashtabula. A year ago, however, there were 49 clubs.
BGCNEO has made a big impact in our region, providing supervised afterschool care for youths and offering them enriching activities and nutritious meals. Last year, the organization gave out 300,000 free meals.
Additionally, kids who belong to the Boys & Girls Clubs tend to perform better academically. According to the organization's website, "76% of low-income Club members ages 12-18 who attend the Club regularly reported receiving mostly As and Bs, compared to 67% of their peers nationally."
So can you imagine the effects shutting down clubs will have on students and families who have relied on its services? That is why WKYC Studios is spreading the word on ways viewers can financially help. It is also why Oswald Companies is making a $10,000 donation.
During 3News' daylong coverage, viewers can expect to hear from club participants, alumni, and supporters who will describe the effects the clubs have had in their lives. Viewers will also be asked to donate online, text or by phone.
Donations can be made in advance; the Day of Giving page is now live here.
Each donation of $25 or more will automatically enter donors in a drawing for two premium tickets to any Ohio State football home game or any Browns home game, except the Nov. 21 contest against the Steelers. Winners will be notified after the telethon.
Money raised from the telethon will enable the clubs to serve more children in Cleveland and across Northeast Ohio by increasing membership capacity at their sites.
