UPDATED: 2026 Ernie Blankenship Radio-Telethon nets highest total since 2008

Generous donations from the community led to a near-record high total — and the highest amount in close to two decades — collected at the Hillsboro and Greenfield Rotary Clubs’ annual Ernie Blankenship Radio-Telethon Wednesday, March 28, with an unofficial $188,849 raised to benefit the Highland County Society for Children and Adults.

According to event organizer Judge Rocky Coss, this is the third-highest total in event history and the most raised since 2008, when $200,025 was raised (the second-highest total). The current record is $217,043. 

This year’s amount raised also continues the trend of rising totals for every year since 2021. In its 55-year history, the telethon has now surpassed $4.7 million collected.

The funds collected from the telethon each year go to help individuals in Highland County with a wide range of needs, including medical equipment and supplies, prescriptions, doctor visits and more.
    
The annual event at the Hillsboro Orpheum was emceed by Rick Williams and Herb Day, with assistance from Coss and Doug Karnes, and hosted by NCB in conjunction with the Rotary Club.

Throughout the evening, generous donations were presented by representatives from local businesses, schools, clubs, civic organizations, churches and individuals in the community.

In fact, it was a night of numerous donations in five figures, including from NCB and the Hillsboro Rotary Club (counting the club donation plus the chili cookoff/dessert auction), as well as the Cassner Foundation, Highland District Hospital, the Hillsboro Eagles, the Hillsboro Elks, Merchants National Bank and VFW Post 9094.

In keeping with tradition, members of the Blankenship family presented the ceremonial first donations of the night in memory of the telethon’s namesake Ernie Blankenship, who served as the event emcee and chair of the Hillsboro Rotary Club for many years before his death in 2013. “Little” Ernie, Ryan (Smoke), Erin and Presley Blankenship kicked off the event with a $2,500 contribution, including $1,000 from the Blankenship family, $1,000 from R.B. Jergens Contractors and $500 from Big Ernie’s Pizza.

“We’re certainly happy to be here this evening,” Ernie Blankenship Jr. said. “This meant so much to Dad, and he always gave back to the community. I always say that’s the one thing he really loved, the community he lived in. He always wanted to make it better, and this is something that was near and dear to his heart.”

Also among the first donors of the night was the host bank NCB, where the late Ernie Blankenship was formerly employed. In addition to assisting with the planning, decorating, serving food, greeting guests, collecting donations and running errands, the bank made a $15,000 contribution in their first of two presentations.  

“National Cooperative Bank is so proud to host this year’s event,” NCB President and CEO Casey Fannon said. “This is an important event for you all, for all of our employees. You all do great work. It’s a great organization supporting so many local families. 

“We’re also very proud that it’s in Ernie Blankenship’s name. We have a room named after Ernie [at the bank] right down the street, and we know Ernie’s looking down on us with a great big smile.”

Later in the evening, NCB returned to the stage with another $2,500 donation from the bank’s employees in honor of poster child Avery Smith and her mother Amanda Gilbert, as Gilbert works for NCB.

Other banks contributing throughout the night included First State Bank ($1,500), Merchants National Bank ($10,000), Peoples Bank ($2,500), Southern Hills Community Bank ($3,700) and Wilmington Savings Bank ($1,000).

As noted, there were several organizations making major donations throughout the evening. The largest single donation of the night came when representatives of the Hillsboro Eagles Aerie 1161 donated $26,000, to loud cheers and applause, and its Ladies’ Auxiliary added $1,000, plus presented an Easter basket to the poster child.

On behalf of Hillsboro Elks Lodge 361, board member J.J. Goldick presented a $20,985 donation. Members of the VFW Post 9094 followed later with a $10,000 donation, plus $250 from its Ladies’ Auxiliary.

Highland District Hospital administrators and board members presented $10,100.29, while Williams announced the Cassner Foundation’s $15,000 contribution.

Hillsboro Rotary Club members, who were volunteering in various capacities throughout the night, also came on stage late in the evening to present a $7,000 donation. However, the Rotary Club also helped organize the annual chili supper/dessert auction, as that fundraiser alone brought over $10,000 in donations this year.

“This is our biggest event, I think, that we have, and I think we found out not too long ago that this is the biggest event in the state of Ohio that a Rotary Club is a part of, as far as the number of funds raised,” club president Karnes said of the telethon. 

Other organizations presenting donations included  Altrusa ($200), Highland County Cattlemen’s Association ($250), Highland County Republican Club ($500), Highland Masonic Lodge ($500), Hillsboro Junior Women’s Club ($750) and Hillsboro Order of the Eastern Star ($100).

Churches contributing included the Allensburg Church of Christ ($3,205), Hillsboro First Presbyterian Church ($650) and Southside Praise and Worship ($3,000).

The evening saw visits from several political candidates as well, with three of the four judicial candidates — Kathryn Hapner; Allyce Horne and husband Nathan; and Dennis Kirk with wife Alexis and other supporters — speaking with emcees at Hillsboro’s event. 

Other individuals making onstage donations were John and Colleen Barney ($100); Dr. Lawrence and Lana Dukes ($1,000); and Jeremy and Chelsey Purdin ($300, on behalf of Walker Feeder Calves, O Land of Grace Corporation and Walker Farm to Fork).

In addition to those previously mentioned, representatives from local businesses speaking with emcees and sharing donations included Ames Dentistry ($500, as delivered by Barney), Bush Auto Place ($2,500, delivered by Barney), Coyote Manufacturing ($500), Hamilton Insurance Agency ($500), Herb Day Radio/Herb and Patty Day ($200), Highland County Chamber of Commerce ($150), Holman Motors ($500, delivered by Barney), Reed’s Trailer Sales ($500), Visitors Bureau of Highland County ($50) and Weastec ($2,525).

Various youths from area schools and clubs attended with donations, including Hillsboro Elementary and Middle School students and administrators ($1,698.70),  Hillsboro Great Oaks FFA Chapter ($200) and the Premier Showmen 4-H club ($250). 

Along with accepting donations, emcees heard from HCSCA director Karen Miller and this year’s poster adult, Danielle Keller. Poster child Avery Smith’s parents Amanda Gilbert and Andrew Smith both spoke about their daughter, as Avery enjoyed receiving gifts from NCB and the Hillsboro Eagles, meeting the Easter Bunny and watching herself on the TV screens at the event.

Avery has TBR1 syndrome, which Gilbert says is an “extremely rare” genetic disorder with only approximately 200 known diagnoses.

“She is nonverbal,” Gilbert said. “She uses an AAC [Augmentative and Alternative Communication] device, and she also has some challenges similar to autism and cerebral palsy.”

To demonstrate the AAC device, Avery used it to introduce herself.

“Every day can look a little different for Avery,” Gilbert said. “Simple things that come easy to us can be hard for her, like communicating what she needs, handling changes in routine, being in louder, busy places or even just waiting in line or waiting for something she wants. 

“Avery works incredibly hard every day to learn, connect and be understood. She participates in ABA [Applied Behavior Analysis] therapy, which has been so important in helping her build communication skills, improve her independence and navigate the world around her. We’ve seen so much growth in her because of it. Avery is strong, happy, loves everyone and is a ball of personality.”

Gilbert also spoke about how the HCSCA has helped with ensuring Avery gets the care she needs.

“Because of her condition, we make several trips to Cincinnati Children’s for her care,” Gilbert said. “Avery also participates in adaptive swim lessons at our local YMCA. She’s drawn to water, and she loves to swim, and these lessons help keep her safe.

“We’re so thankful to the Society for Children and Adults. They’ve helped us with copays, gas vouchers and trips to Children’s and the cost of her lessons. We are extremely grateful to the Society for choosing Avery to be the poster child this year.”

Smith also spoke about his daughter, saying her diagnosis is “just a part of her story, not the definition of who she is.

“Avery is so much more than any diagnosis could ever describe,” he said. “Avery is full of life. She has a personality that lights up a room, a laugh that’s contagious and a way of seeing the world that reminds you what really matters. She’s determined, she’s strong and she experiences joy in ways that most of us forget as we get older.

“Avery may face challenges, but she also brings so much light into this world, and tonight I just want people to see her the way we do, not defined by her diagnosis, but by her heart, her strength and the joy she brings to everyone around her.”

Smith also thanked the HCSCA for their support and encouraged the community to contribute.

“Swimming is one of her favorite things, and thanks to this organization, she’s been able to grow more confident and independent through those lessons,” Smith said of Avery. “Moments like that mean everything, not just for her, but for our whole family. 

“The Highland County Society for Children and Adults has supported us in ways that go far beyond what we ever imagined, whether it was helping with fuel when we needed it most, copays on prescriptions or giving Avery opportunities to thrive and just be a kid. When you support this organization, you’re not just giving money. You’re giving families like mine hope, relief and moments that turn into lifelong memories.”

The poster adult, Danielle Keller, said she contacted the HCSCA after a serious car accident in July 2025. 

“I ended up losing my job because my recovery was going to be longer than six weeks,” she said. “Between all the medical equipment and prescriptions and doctor’s appointments, the Society was able to help out with the cost of all that.”

Keller said that “Miss Karen” — Karen Miller, the HCSCA director — made the process simple.

Miller added that the Society is ready to help any Highland County residents who have lived in the county for at least 90 days. She can be reached at (937) 393-2142.

“I would be glad to answer any of your questions and help you any way we can,” Miller said.

Later in the evening, Miller shared some statistics that show that the need for the Society continues to rise.

“In 2024, we had 749, approximately, calls that came in,” she said. “In 2025, it went up to 867, so every year, it gets a little more.”

Miller was joined later by members of the Society’s board, who were introduced by Coss.

“This year, for the first year, the Society took over promoting and operating the chili supper along with the Rotary Club and then also coordinated the chili cookoff with the YMCA,” Coss said. “The dessert auction was the best ever. We raised a total of $10,661, and the dessert auction was $8,830.”

Former poster children were also represented, with Emily Davis Chaney’s aunt Pam Chaney bringing $650 collected by Emily in honor of her 20th birthday, while Christa Moore and her mother Ruth Ann donated $100.
 
The silent auction also raised approximately $2,400, with items including a 2024 Ohio State National Championship football signed by Ryan Day; a 2018 black Ohio State football helmet; a YMCA membership; dinner at the Patriot Public House; and several gift baskets, including a family fun night themed basked, a whiskey themed basket, a wine themed basket and a baby items basket.

The event concluded with the event organizers thanking the sponsors and donors for their support of the near-record event.

“We really appreciate how this community comes together on one special night,” Heather Cummings of NCB said.

If you missed the telethon or would like to contribute, you can make a donation at any time online at hicoso.org or the Society’s Facebook, or checks payable to HCSCA can be dropped off at any local bank or mailed to the Society at P.O. Box 972, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.

Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 28 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.