UPDATED: Over $165K raised at 52nd annual Ernie Blankenship Radio-Telethon

Surpassing $160,000 for the first time since 2008, the Hillsboro and Greenfield Rotary Clubs, along with event sponsor First State Bank, raised at least $165,161 for the Highland County Society for Children and Adults during the 52nd annual Ernie Blankenship Radio-Telethon Wednesday, March 27.

In 2023, the telethon exceeded $150,000 for the first time in 2008 with $150,434 raised, and for a second year in a row, the telethon reached a total not seen in over a decade.

The funds raised 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. In its 52-year history, over $4.3 million has been raised by the local community, for the local community.

During the event, HCSCA Executive Secretary Karen Day-Miller shared some statistics on how the funds are used.

“In 2022, we had a total of 431 calls, and then this past year, we had 643,” Day-Miller said. “We get more requests for gas vouchers. For the year, we had 496 gas vouchers that we had given out, and for medication, we get a lot of those calls. We had 32 of those last year.

“We do lift chairs, we do ramps, we do glasses, dental, hearing aids. You just call, and as long as you are a resident of Highland County and have been here longer than 90 days, give me a call if you need help.”

If you are in need of HCSCA services, call (937) 393-2142.

The annual event was emceed by Rick Williams and Herb Day, with assistance from Judge Rocky Coss and Doug Karnes. 

“We’re neighbors helping neighbors,” Day said, while he and Williams invited the crowd to clap for the telethon celebrating 52 years.

Williams also noted that the telethon is marking 52 years, and that is the same amount of time that Blankenship was a local sports broadcaster.

The telethon namesake, Blankenship also served as the event emcee and chair of the Hillsboro Rotary Club for many years. Members of his family — Ashley, Erin, Presley, Rob and Ryan (Smoke) — kicked off the events as the first guests of the night. Smoke, one of Ernie Blankenship’s three sons, sent regards from his mother, Rita Kay, and the rest of the family who were unable to attend.

Smoke Blankenship presented a check for $500 from the Blankenship family, as well as $500 from the Blankenships’ business, Big Ernie’s Pizza, for the ceremonial first donations of the night. Big Ernie’s Pizza was also among the event sponsors.

Later in the night, the Blankenships returned to share a $15,000 donation from the Cassner Foundation, in honor of Blankenship’s 37 years at Rotary Forms Press.

The host bank — First State Bank — was the second guest on stage, and they visited Day and Williams a total of three times on the night, in between decorating, serving food, greeting guests, accepting donations and doing other tasks throughout the night.

The first group of staff — Amy Hamilton, Lauren Hamilton, Judd Johnson, Ashlee Mattingly, Michael Pell, Tara Pendell, Diana Setty, Shalana Shreffler, Bryan Smith and Ellie Zint — welcomed the crowd, and Day thanked them “for putting this all together.

“Your sponsorship means so much,” he said.

Pell, First State Bank President/Chief Executive Officer, said the bank was “excited to be here.

“I think it’s an honor to join this group,” Pell said. “It’s such a great cause, to raise some great money for a good organization.”

About midway through the telethon, the bank returned to the stage to present their donation of $4,250 to the Society. First State Bank also donated a framed montage of individual photographs of four of the Heisman Trophy winners from the Ohio State University football team, Hopalong Cassidy, Archie Griffin, Eddie George and Troy Smith, as well as a photograph of the starting lineup of the 1990 Cincinnati Reds World Series Champions with autographs, for the silent auction.

For a third time, the First State staff joined emcees on stage at the end of the event to thank the community for supporting this year’s telethon.

“On behalf of the bank, we just want to say that we are grateful to have been the hosts for this year,” Amy Hamilton said. “We are thankful for everyone that came out here this evening and made pledges, either here or over in Greenfield, and bought the auction items. It’s been a great event, and we really appreciate everyone’s support.” 

Day agreed, as he pointed out the significant number collected Wednesday night.

“People have gotten behind this cause like never before,” Day said. “I’ve never seen a county like Highland County get behind a pet project like this.”

The telethon poster child, Zaphod Cooper of Leesburg, was present, along with his mother, Dominique Page, and her boyfriend, Wyatt Durbin. The poster adult, Darlene Robinson of Hillsboro, was unable to be present due to her ongoing cancer treatments, but her son, Josiah, and her sister, Ashley, both attended on her behalf. 

Day spoke to the families of the poster child and poster adult early in the evening, along with Patty Day of the HCSCA. As Zaphod charmed the crowd by grinning and making faces into the camera, Durbin and Page shared Zaphod’s story.

Zaphod is 5 and was born with multiple diagnoses, including Down syndrome and congenital heart disease, according to his mother. He was later also diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

Today, Zaphod is a happy and healthy preschool student, although Page said he has “social and dietary struggles, such as being unable to speak and having difficulty eating solid foods.” That is where the Society has been able to help.

After Zaphod was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, Page said she contacted the Society for help purchasing “additional formula to help him grow and gain more weight.” Now, Zaphod drinks PediaSure, which the Society also assists the family in purchasing.

“He’s an awesome kid,” Page said. ‘He’s usually, almost always, happy.”

Robinson is a 32-year-old single mother of two who is currently being treated for a brain tumor. According to Patty Day, Robinson first reached out to the Society for help in October 2022, after she was diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension causing migraines and seizures. 

After Robinson suffered a stroke in April 2023, doctors discovered a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumor — a glioblastoma. With Robinson continuing to balance numerous medical appointments, the Society is helping by providing gas vouchers and lodging during her treatments.

“Unfortunately, she had to have some extra treatments, so she wasn’t able to join us tonight,” Patty Day said.

In addition to the monetary donations presented throughout the night, the poster child and son of the poster adult also had a special exchange. According to Patty Day, Josiah, who is 7, received a bicycle as a Christmas gift that was too small for him.  After the poster adult and child families met, Josiah asked his mom if he could give the bike to Zaphod instead

“He came up with the idea to donate his new bike at Christmas to Zaphod,” Mrs. Day said. 

The Robinsons brought the shiny new blue bike on stage for Zaphod. 

Day said she spoke to the Hillsboro Eagles, who agreed to purchase a new bike for Josiah, “for being so kind and loving.

“I started thinking, somebody with a heart like that — we need to see if we can find somebody that would donate a bike to him,” she said. ‘I called the Eagles, and they immediately said yes, they would bring a bike for the poster adult’s child.”

The Eagles made that presentation — along with a significant financial contribution — later in the evening.

For a second year in a row, members of the Hillsboro Fraternal Order of Eagles 1161 donated a total of $26,000. That included $25,000 from the Eagles, as announced by William Ryan, and $1,000 on behalf of the Ladies Auxiliary, as announced by Anna Vilvens. 

“If you haven’t been to the Eagles lately, we just did a big remodel,” Ryan said. “If you’re not there, ask yourself why, because this is why we’re here, doing these kinds of things. People helping people — that’s what we do.” 

Josiah was all smiles as the Eagles gave him a brand-new bike, and Williams thanked Josiah for his generosity as well.

“It is so great that you did that first, and then they came through,” Williams said.

Josiah gave Williams a fist bump in response. 

Vilvens said that the Eagles Women’s Auxiliary also donated a basket of accessories for Josiah’s bike. 

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Williams said. “A total of $26,000 — unreal.” 

Another special presentation elsewhere in the evening was a letter from the Kristen Laenae Cannon Memorial Trust, which contributed $1,750. Cannon, 26, was killed in an accident in Dayton in November 2022.

“Dominique Page [mother of the poster child] and Kristen were good friends in middle school,” the letter said. “We believe that Kristen would have wanted the Hillsboro Rotary to be the first beneficiary of these funds because of the assistance provided to Dominique’s son.”

Along with this year’s poster child and adult families, former poster child Christa Moore visited with representatives of the Allensburg Church of Christ. The church contributed $3,035, with Moore and her mother, Ruth Ann, also donating $100.

Although former poster child and frequent contributor Emily Davis — a granddaughter of Herb and Patty Day — was unable to attend due to a death in the family, she collected several donations that were read by Karnes, totaling $880. 

“There’s more money coming,” Herb Day added. 

Area veterans organizations also made significant contributions on the night. Amvets Post 61 members Dwight Reynolds and Gerold “Buzzard” Wilkin brought a $10,000 donation, followed by VFW Post 9094 members Roy Geiger, Reynolds and Rick Wilkin, who also contributed $10,000. According to Rick Wilkin (who also donated $100 on behalf of himself and his wife, Shirley), the VFW donated $7,000 Wednesday in addition to their recurring $250/month payments to the Society, for $10,000 on the year.

Members of the Hillsboro Rotary Club, who were also answering phone calls, collecting donations and volunteering throughout the Orpheum, also made numerous financial contributions on behalf of themselves, their businesses and the club. Club President Joanna Mahan said that the annual chili supper and dessert auction, held earlier in the month, raised a record total of $6,450. The Club itself donated $6,000, for a total donation of $12,450 from the Rotary.

Along with the event sponsor, other area banks made presentations throughout the evening, including Merchants National Bank, who had one of the largest groups of the night on stage as well as one of the biggest donations. 

“We know how worthwhile it is to the community,” Chairman of the Board Secretary Bertha Hamilton said. “It is something that really touches our heart.”

They donated $15,000, including $3,000 on behalf of the bank employees; $7,000 on behalf of the Board of Directors; and $5,000 on behalf of former board chairman, the late Don Fender, who passed away in July. Fender had served on Merchants’ board for 46 years, and Merchants National Bank President Paul Pence said that Fender was also an active volunteer at past telethons.

“He loved the Society,” Pence said. “He was a loyal, loyal Rotarian.”

Other banks presenting donations were NCB ($2,500), Peoples Bank ($2,500), Southern Hills Community Bank ($1,500) and Wilmington Savings Bank ($1,000).

Leaders from Highland District Hospital were on hand late in the evening to donate $5,795.15. President & Chief Executive Officer Tim Parry said he “took six pies to the face to raise money” as part of the HDH donation, as photos of the incident were displayed on the monitors.

For the “children’s hour” early in the evening, Hillsboro City Schools Superintendent and Rotarian Tim Davis brought representatives from Hillsboro Elementary, Middle School and High School.

“We’ve got three different groups represented tonight,” Davis said.

The Hillsboro Elementary Student Council appeared on stage first, with Student Council President Teagan Davis presenting a check for $862.29.

“We raise a bunch of money, and we try to make it a competition with each pod,” Teagan Davis said. “We do this thing at the end of the year where our principals gets slimed for whatever pod raises the most money. It just encourages kids to bring in the money and help out here.”

Accompanied by principal James Rhoades, Hillsboro Middle School students Myles Fouch and Blair Gard donated $1,380, while Addyston Knauff of the Hillsboro FFA presented $250.

“Our students and community have done an outstanding job,” Tim Davis said. “This year, we raised a total of $2,492.29. That is up from last year almost $465. Our students and staff and community have come together, and it’s great to see for such a great Society.

“Thank you to our students for putting it together. They’ve done an awesome job.”

The Premier Showmen 4-H Club also donated $200.

“We’re honored to be here and donate to this awesome organization,” club president Carly Sanders said.

Highland County Cattlemen’s Association president Dwight Paul Hamilton, accompanied by Cattlemen board of directors members and numerous Cattlemen’s children, presented a $600 check from the Association, as Hamilton also donated $500 on behalf of Hamilton Insurance Agency.

Two of the Cattlemen children – Brailee and Brynna Williams — were asked to stay behind to talk to the emcees, or more specifically, their grandfather, Rick. The Williams girls shared a $100 donation from themselves and their parents, Brad and Brittany, as well as $100 from Bill and Frances Baldwin.

Also appearing on stage with donations throughout the evening were John Barney ($100, plus auction items) and representatives of the Highland County Board of DD ($250), Highland County Chamber of Commerce ($100, plus $50 from the Wheeler family), Highland County Job & Family Services ($750), Highland County Republican Club ($500) Highland Masonic Lodge ($500), Hillsboro Elks ($6,485.96), SATH/KAMP Dovetail ($500) and Weastec ($2,000).

At the end of the evening, members of the Hillsboro Rotary Club gathered on stage to wrap up the telethon, with Coss making the then-final announcement total of $162,273. Rotarian Keith Chambers of the Mount Orab and Wilmington Dairy Queens offered to donate the remaining amount ($727) to round it up to an even $163,000, and after receiving the report from Greenfield Rotary Club and other last-minute contributions, the total was $165,161 by the time organizers left Wednesday.

“I want to thank all the Rotarians who worked on this, and also all of those who worked on the chili supper,” Coss said. “That was a big success, and you were a big part of that, Rick [Williams], with the auction for the desserts.”

Coss also recognized First State Bank, whose sponsorship was the first with a “regular” telethon, as they hosted in 2020 with a virtual event due to the pandemic.

“Big thanks to First State Bank for a great job,” Coss said. “They did it in 2020 during COVID, and we had to postpone it, then we ended up having a restricted thing up here. It was very difficult, but this year, they did a really great job putting it together.” 

Day and Williams thanked the 2024 telethon sponsors, which included 24 Deli & Pizza, 62 Classics’ Diner, Big Ernie’s Pizza, Holtfield Station, LaRosa’s Pizzeria, Ponderosa, White’s Bakery, The Alley Neighborhood Grille, Chad Abbott Signs LLC, Maplecrest Meats and More, Hillsboro Community Market, Jill’s Farmhouse Catering, Sassafras Kitchen & Coffee Bar, The Porch Carryout & Grill, Hillsboro’s Giovanni’s, Hillsboro Dairy Queen, Hillsboro Pizza Hut, Hillsboro Papa John’s, Little Caesars Pizza, Hillsboro Orpheum and Save A Lot.

Day and Coss specifically thanked the Hillsboro Orpheum and its owner, Dale Martin, for donating the use of the space for the telethon.

“He so graciously agreed to donate the Orpheum to this event, to make it a stationary event,” Day said. “For many years, we were moving around from bank to bank, and sometimes we were squeezed in.

“Dale saw the problem, and he had the answer.”

“It’s been great to be the permanent home,” Coss added.

Coss also thanked Terry Mikkelsen and his crew, including Vicki and Maddisen Mikkelsen, of Tech-T Productions for providing broadcast equipment, video/audio and livestreaming — “the most important part of the event,” Coss said — as well as all of the volunteers who assisted at the telethon.

“Thank you again to Herb and Rick, too, for another great job of emceeing this event,” Coss 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.

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