“Music for Miracles” Radiothon a Success for Eastern North Carolina Children

April 11, 2011 - PRLog -- Greenville, NC – Listeners from throughout eastern North Carolina phoned in their support for children this past weekend, pledging $135,912.45 during the 14th annual “Music for Miracles” radiothon on Classic Hits 107.9 WNCT.

This year’s pledges bring all-time giving for the event to more than $2.8 million. Proceeds will go Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to support programs and services at University Health Systems Children’s Hospital and the 29 counties it serves.

“For the past 14 years, the radio station’s hard work and heartfelt commitment have meant so much to the children of eastern North Carolina,” said Kinney Hart, executive director of the Pitt Memorial Hospital Foundation. “Their dedication to this event is incredible and has helped make it one of our largest fundraisers each year.”

“The WNCT team was great to work with, and for three days opened their station and their hearts to our volunteers and to the children who came to share their inspirational stories with loyal 107.9 listeners,” Hart said.

Several of this year’s Miracle Children, including poster child Michelle Coria, 4, and her parents Alberto and Nereyda Coria of Pitt County joined on-air personalities during the marathon broadcast April 8-10 to share with the listeners the difference donations make in a child’s life. In addition to Michelle, several other Miracle Children visited during the event to share their incredible stories as well. including Jamysen Howard, 1, and Conner Crumpler, 1, of Pitt County; Daniel Witman, 3, of Jones County; and Darrius “Malik” Rhodes, 12, of Lenoir County.

More than 50 volunteers, most of them employees of Pitt County Memorial Hospital, helped answer phones. Representatives from various church and civic groups also volunteered. Many local restaurants and businesses donated meals and refreshments.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is a fund-raising program of the Pitt Memorial Hospital Foundation. All money raised stays in eastern North Carolina to benefit sick and injured children.

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University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina Inc., a mission-driven, not-for-profit corporation, owns, leases or has a majority membership interest in seven eastern North Carolina hospitals and has a management agreement with one other. UHS includes Albemarle Health, Bertie Memorial Hospital, Chowan Hospital, Duplin General Hospital, Heritage Hospital, Outer Banks Hospital, Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, University Home Health and Hospice; ViQuest and physician practices, and is affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. On the web at www.uhseast.com.