On July 20, 2018, for the second consecutive year, 17 employees from the Paul Davis Restoration Jacksonville, FL area joined with other concerned citizens for a very special cause: to raise much needed money for the Child Cancer Fund during the 2018 WOKV News 104.5 Care-a-thon. The Care-a-thon was live radio broadcast run by radio and TV personalities with special guest speakers throughout day.
Working in shifts, employees manned the phones during the 12 hour event and recorded donations from caring citizens throughout northern Florida and southern Georgia. The event was a big success – raising $257,540, and exceeding its stated goal of $250,000.
The Child Cancer Fund is a non-profit established by a group of Jacksonville parents – including a member of Paul Davis Corporate Legal Counsel — whose children were receiving treatment for cancer. The group helps families manage the challenges of childhood cancer focusing on the emotional, practical, educational and financial support they need every day.
Those in attendance hailed the event as one of the most personally rewarding experiences they have had. And it was not without its share of excitement: As the end of the day drew near, the team was almost $7,000 short of its goal so they decided to keep the phone banks open and asked people to continue calling in. The phones lit up, and even after the initial goal was met, generous citizens continued to open their wallets to support the effort.
One of the most poignant moments of the day was when children and cancer survivors went on-air to tell their personal stories and share how the Child Cancer Fund has impacted their lives. These individuals inspired both the listening audience and on-site volunteers with their bravery and resilience.
According to Paul Davis volunteer and Brand Sherpa Emily Schafer, “Having this opportunity to support children and their families in the NE Florida area who are suffering from cancer is an honor. What I love about Child Cancer Fund is that it started because parents saw what an impact one woman was having on their children during their treatment. She was making sure that they weren’t just receiving medication and going through tests, she was making them smile, laugh, and still feel like kids.”
For information on how you can donate to the Child Cancer Fund, please visit their website.