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In 1975, WWKI Radio and KI 3 (T.V. station) simulcast
the first 47-hour radio-telethon, the previous year six
hours of radio time had been donated.
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In 1980, turned a $1,000 donation into a semi load or
172,000 jars of Beech Nut baby food valued at $28,000.
The story gained national attention and was aired on
NBC's Today Show
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In 1980, spontaneously sold the first of the dated
WE CARE signs for $250.00. The selling of the sign is now a
tradition and has contributed in excess of $30,000.
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In 1982, TeleCable of Kokomo joined the
WE CARE Christmas effort by donating airtime for the entire
47-hour telethon. This donation was the largest single
in-kind contribution dollar wise and it also carried the
entire fund drive to thousands more viewers.
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In 1983, incorporated, obtained 501 (c) (3) status,
tax exempt classification, and a trademark logo.
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In 1985, Ponderosa ®, in conjunction with their
20-Year Celebration, held a WE CARE-Sylvia concert and
presented WE CARE with a $10,000 check.
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In 1985, the largest, single donation was a check for
$13,054.00 raised through ongoing activities throughout
Delco Electronics Plant No. 5.
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In 1985, published the first
WE CARE not just another
COOKBOOK and sold all 10,000 copies in 21 days.
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In 1986, introduction of the popular STUFF; a toffee
coated popcorn, pecans, almonds, & nut mouthwatering
treat. Cates Trucking of Swayzee voluntarily delivers the
product annually.
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In 1991, published the 702-page
WE CARE not just
another COOKBOOK Classic Edition and sold ALL 10,000
copies in 21 hours (yes, 21 HOURS)! The first 5550 were
sold from the back of a semitrailer.
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Various merchants used over 9,000,000 grocery bags
which conveyed a message of support for WE CARE. ('85,
'86, '87, '88).
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Received the Presidential C-Flag award and was a
guest in a Rose Garden ceremony. ('85, '86, '87).
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In 1992, Coca-Cola distributed 12 oz. cans with a
special 20th Anniversary message.
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The first in a series of baskets, Celebrating The
20th anniversary WE CARE Commemorative Basket was
offered.
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In 1993, reprint 10,000 copies of
WE CARE not just
another COOKBOOK Classic Edition and sold out.
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In 1993, Coca-Cola initiated the first 32 oz. cup
with nearly 100% support in the Kokomo area. The public
seized the opportunity to create a collectible item which
resulted in an annual program promoting WE CARE.
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In 1994, area school choirs sang music for the
WE CARE joy of singing CD and tape selling as a benefit for
both the schools and WE CARE.
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In 1995, TCI continued the broadcast tradition and
simulcasts the telethon with WWKI Radio.
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In 1995, the first Spirit of Hope tapestry sold for
$8,000.
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In 1996, was honored with The Washington Times
Foundation National Service Award
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The Kokomo Mall provided space for a temporary
WE CARE store during the two weeks of the Trim-A-Tree
Festival.
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Dick and Charlie hosted a tour of the
WE CARE
facility at the beginning of the 1997 25th Anniversary
Telethon.
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In 1997, Coca-Cola distributed a special 12 oz. can
recognizing the 25 year effort of WE CARE.
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The basket series continued in popularity with the
sixth in the series, Celebrating 25 Years of Giving, The
Season of Hope Basket .
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Special items were offered celebrating the 25th
Anniversary of WE CARE - pewter plates, ornaments,
license plates, and silver coins.
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In 1997, tapestry tote bags along with denim tote
bags were introduced along with Creamy Potato Soup
mix.
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In 1997, an increase to sixteen phone operators were
in place to enable more callers an opportunity to
bid.
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In 1998, you talk about crunch,
WE CARE Tater Chips
were introduced and were sold by Meijer and the Krogers
stores in addition to the WE CARE store.
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In 1998 Insight Communications joined WWKI to
simulcast the telethon and extended the time to a full 48
hours.
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In 2002, WE
CARE Founder and WWKI radio personality Dick Bronson died
suddenly from a massive heart attack while participating in the July
8th Haynes-Apperson Festival Parade. He had led the WE CARE
efforts for 29 years.
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In 2002, WE
CARE celebrated its 30th anniversary, raising a record total
of nearly $860,000 for the season.
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In 2004, Jan
Buechler, aka WE CARE Jan, announced she had been
diagnosed with cancer and would retire as volunteer coordinator at
the end of the year.
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In 2006, an
accidental fire at the WWKI studio building on April 26th destroyed
the WE CARE offices and infrastructure. Re-building
began almost immediately, while planning continued for the 34th
annual telethon in December.
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In 2006, WE
CARE Jan passed away on June 15th, marking the end of her 32
consecutive years of WE CARE leadership and
coordination.
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In 2006, the
WE CARE offices re-opened in November, newly renovated
during fire recovery, and plans proceeded for the 34th working season.
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In 2007, WE CARE
celebrated its 35th anniversary. Viewers from across the world
joined in as portions of the telethon were broadcast on the Internet
for the first time ever.
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In 2009,
Charlie Cropper, co-host of the popular Male Call program, passed
away on February 24th. Charlie was in his 40th year as a broadcast
employee of WWKI and was a major part of We Care for 36 years.
