Telethon to raise funds awareness for rebuilding reading
Special to the Gazette
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
With the assistance of McCarthy Auto Group, Cumulus Media, Inc. and KCTV Channel 5, Heartland Habitat for Humanity and Emporia Area Habitat for Humanity are partnering to raise nearly $250,000 for rebuilding efforts in Reading, Kansas. The funds will be raised during a telethon on KCTV5 on Saturday, from 8 to 11 a.m. Proceeds will be used to assist Reading residents with rebuilding their homes and lives following a tornado that devastated the town last May. Future homeowners for the Habitat for Humanity homes have already been screened and selected by Emporia Area Habitat for Humanity.
“We’ve already gone through the process of finding out who needs houses,” said Emporia Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors’ member Jim Kessler. “There’s about five or six people that actually need a house and some that need help putting together what they already have. We’re going to kind of be the point person here to get volunteers.”
John McCarthy, CEO of McCarthy Auto Group, noticed that a lot of attention and help has gone to Joplin and little to Reading. The telethon and raffle is a good way to help those in Reading who are rebuilding.
“We’re grateful for the McCarthy Auto Group's leadership, as well as the support of KCTV5 and Cumulus Media on this project,” said Tom Lally, executive director of Heartland Habitat for Humanity. “We are confident that this phenomenal partnership will greatly impact the community of Reading, Kansas and the lives of its residents."
On May 21, 2011 an EF-3 tornado ripped through Reading, leaving behind a path of destruction. The tornado caused approximately $2 million dollars in damage to dozens of homes, numerous businesses, the City Hall, a church and the local school. To date, no FEMA funds have been released to assist the town in rebuilding its infrastructure or to assist local residents with rebuilding their homes.
"When tragedy happens it is up to us – the community – to step in and help. It is our moral obligation,” said McCarthy.
In addition to the telethon, McCarthy Auto Group has donated a new 2012 Camaro Convertible to help raise funds for the Reading project. Raffle tickets are available for $40, and can be purchased online at www.heartlandhabitat.org. Only 3,000 tickets will be sold. The winner will be announced on-air during KCTV5’s evening newscast on Saturday.
Raffle tickets can be purchased in Emporia at Modern Air at 106 Commercial St., Longbine Auto Plaza at 3012 W. Highway 50 and Lyon County State Bank locations at 902 Merchant St.,1202 Industrial Rd. and 1104 E. 12th Ave.
Proceeds from the telethon and raffle will be used to support a Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI) project. NRI strives to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods through local community-planning partnerships, by expanding housing services, and by coordinating programs such as home rehabilitation, weatherization and homeowner education. Emporia Area Habitat for Humanity will lead the efforts to rebuild an entire neighborhood in Reading. Heartland Habitat is one of 163 affiliates nationwide selected to participate in Habitat for Humanity’s NRI program, and is assisting Emporia Area Habitat for Humanity with funding this NRI project.
“The wake of this tragedy has opened a door for Habitat to do what it does best: address housing issues and impact the lives of families in need,” said Lally.
To donate toward the effort or to purchase a raffle ticket, please visit www.heartlandhabitat.org. To sign-up with a volunteer crew, visit www.emporiahabitat.org.