The Ocean of Love Radiothon, sponsored by 105.7 The Hawk. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
A week-long radiothon drew a record-breaking level of donations to fund a local charity that helps families with children fighting cancer.
The annual fundraiser, which centers around local radio DJ Andy Chase living on top of a billboard for 105 hours between Monday and Friday, raised $141,000 for Ocean of Love by the time the promotion ended at 6 p.m. Friday. Additional donations were expected to continue to be counted toward the final tally.
The Ocean of Love Radiothon, sponsored by 105.7 The Hawk. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
The Ocean of Love Radiothon, sponsored by 105.7 The Hawk. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
Donations came from all over Ocean County, as the radiothon aired all week on 105.7 The Hawk, a classic rock station owned by Townsquare Media. Donations ranged from small children delivering bags of change they collected from their friends to tens of thousands donated by local companies. The organizers of a charity motorcycle ride delivered a $6,000 check before the promotion ended, Toms River’s emergency services donated over $10,000, and at one point an entire wedding party pulled into the Target parking lot in Toms River to help the cause.
As the promotion ended, the Forked River fire company ceremonially used their ladder to take Chase off the billboard.
The Ocean of Love Radiothon, sponsored by 105.7 The Hawk. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
“It’s been a rough year financially for us, so to get the most we’ve ever had is crucial,” said Michael Gillick, of Ocean of Love. “Holiday gift baskets, gifts, parties all for the kids isn’t cheap, and now we can make sure even in the darkest of times, that they can have a little light during the holiday season.”
