Opinions Letters to Editor 26 March 2026

Ernie Blankenship Radio-Telethon for the Highland County Society for Children and Adults a huge success

By Judge Rocky Coss
Hillsboro Rotary Club

The 2026 Ernie Blankenship Radio-Telethon for the Highland County Society for Children and Adults was a huge success. 

We received $188,889 in pledges, which is the third-highest total in the history of the event. All proceeds are donated to the Highland County Society for Children and Adults, which provides financial assistance to Highland County residents for medical expenses, equipment, devices, prescription drugs, gas vouchers for out of town travel to medical appointments and other related items.  

NCB hosted the event at the Hillsboro Orpheum. 

Terry Mikkelsen of Tech-T Productions provided the video streaming on its website and also on YouTube and the Spectrum Community Channels in Highland County. Iheart Radio and John Barney provided the radio broadcast in Hillsboro on WSRW 101.5FM and 1590 AM while WVNU 97.5 broadcast from Greenfield. 

Greystone Systems provided telephone services in Hillsboro. Dale Martin, owner of the Hillsboro Orpheum, donated the use of that facility to the event and NCB and Sassafras Kitchen staff provided food and drink services for those in attendance.  

Some notable donations received include: Hillsboro Eagles Aerie 1161 and Auxiliary $26,000; Hillsboro Elks Lodge 361 $20,989; NCB and its employees $17,500; Cassner Foundation $15,000; Highland District Hospital Staff and employees $10,100; Hillsboro VFW $10,000; Merchants National Bank $10,000; Hillsboro Rotary Club $7,000; Steve and Karie Emery $5,000; Southern Hills Bank and employees $3,700; Allensburg Church of Christ $3,205; Peoples Bank $2,500; Bush Auto Place $2,500; Southside Praise and Worship $3,000; Weastec $2,000; Jeanine Bagshaw and Jeff Rosselott Family $2,000; Hillsboro Middle and Elementary Schools $1,699; and First State Bank $1,000.  

The total raised in the 54 years of the event is nearly $4.75 million. Pledges can be paid my check payable to HCSCA and mailed to HCSCA. P.O. Box 972, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133 or dropping off at any bank branch in Hillsboro. The Rotary Clubs thank everyone who donated food and made donations to this uniquely Highland County event.   

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