FOX59 Partners with Salvation Army to Raise $236,598 for Tornado Relief

“Fox59 Day of Dedication: Tornado Relief” raised $236,598 for the victims and communities in Southern Indiana devastated by the tornadoes.  Partnering with the Salvation Army, the phone lines were up and running Monday from 4:30 a.m. until 11 p.m. eastern time.  Donations also came online at fox59.com/help and via text messages.

“What was most unbelievable in our minds was 85 percent of the donations – about $200,000 – came from individual viewers and donations,” said News Director Lee Rosenthal.  “We had a few sizable corporate and business donations, but the vast majority were literally thousands and thousands and thousands of individual donations that mounted.”

Governor Mitch Daniels joined the Fox59 Day of Dedication live at 6 p.m. Monday, thanking the station, viewers and Salvation Army for all of their efforts.

“There’s an awful lot going on in the state, but I don’t know anybody that’s done any more or more quickly than you guys have,” said Governor Daniels. “If you picked the Salvation army, you couldn’t have done better – year in, year out, they have the lowest administrative cost of any such organization.”

The Salvation Army will take the $236,598 and put it towards food and water, supplies and other support for the communities and victims of the Southern Indiana tornadoes. All of the money raised during the 18.5 hour drive on Fox59 is going directly to those in need in Southern Indiana.

“Fox59 continues to be committed to being the leader in making a difference in our communities,” said Fox59 Vice-President and General Manager Larry Delia.  “Our television station and our viewers are the same – we have that Hoosier spirit of compassion, kindness and generosity.”

Any one can still donate to the Salvation Army. Go to fox59.com/help or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.  You can also text “HOOSIER” to 80888 to make a $10 donation.