In the spirit of the inspiring new series “Oprah’s Big Give,” ABC handed over $10,000 to JET TV. With this money, JET TV is starting specific projects with four local charities. We want to inspire the community to expand the projects by raising awareness of each charity’s purpose, goals and needs. On March 2nd, Oprah Winfrey challenged 10 contestants to make dreams come true for total strangers on Oprah’s Big Give. JET TV is challenging our community to help change lives locally.
“At JET-TV we have always realized the importance of giving back to the community and are excited to be given this opportunity. We’ve seen the impact that Oprah’s Big Give has made after just one week. Through the six weeks of our own promotion, we hope that our local community will join us in helping these worthwhile charities and making just as large of an impact as we are seeing in the show,” said Tim Dunst, VP and General Manager of JET TV, “Our goal is to have individuals and businesses in our community be inspired by the stories our charities have to tell, and to use their own strengths and creativity to expand the projects that we’re starting into something more…there’s no limit as to what can be done to help.”
The four local charities that will benefit are:
• SafeNet - a not for profit organization of dedicated professionals and community volunteers working together to end domestic violence in Erie County.
The project: build a playground at the shelter
http://www.safeneterie.org/
Update: $21,810 was raised for SafeNet as a result of the telethon on Wednesday, March, 19th. The JET TV Community Challenge was to meet or exceed our initial donation of $2500, and the community response was amazing. Thank you for your generosity! SafeNet is still accepting donations to reach their goal of $23,000 to complete the landscaping around the playground and to install additional safety equipment.
• The Muscular Dystrophy Association of Erie (MDA)– a voluntary health agency dedicated to conquering more than 40 neuromuscular diseases that affect a million Americans of all ages.
The project: send kids to MDA’s summer camp
http://www.mda.org/
Update: $4800 was raised for the MDA summer camp project. This will send 6 kids to Summer Camp. MDA is still accepting donations to send more kids to camp.
• Earth Force – a non-profit organization that engages young people as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future.
The project: 5 different student groups with 5 different local projects – the tie-together? They’re all green…
http://www.earthforce.org/
Update: $5127 has been raised for Earth Force. Earth Force is still accepting donations.
• Voices for Independence (VFI) – a non-profit organization empowering people with disabilities and promoting independent living.
The project: install vehicle modifications and provide training to drive modified vehicle
http://www.voicesforindependence.org/
Oprah’s Big Give: The JET TV Community Challenge will launch on March 10 and continue through April 20 with a telethon for each charity during Action News 24 at 5 and 5:30 on the following Wednesdays: March 19th (to benefit SafeNet), March 26th (to benefit MDA of Erie Co.), April 2nd (to benefit Earth Force) and April 9th (to benefit VFI).
DO SOMETHING BIG,
MAKE IT GROW,
AND PAY IT FORWARD TO OUR COMMUNITY with Oprah’s Big Give: The JET-TV Community Challenge
