ABC5 joins in to promote Holiday Cards by Kids

After the children designed the cards in the summer, they were printed and packed in the fall, just in time to be sold in the winter. With all the hard work that goes into the creation of Holiday Cards by Kids, how does Children’s Cancer Connection spread the word?

Eight years ago, the local television station ABC5 stepped in to help Children’s Cancer Connection tell the community about Holiday Cards by Kids.

Doug Sawyer, promotion manager and public service director at ABC5, said it was something they agreed to “in a heartbeat.”

“Our News Department had done a few stories on [Camp Heart Connection] so we were familiar with the camp and knew how many people and families it helped,” Sawyer said.

The station helps promote the cards by airing a thirty-second public service announcement that describes the cards as well as the kids who created them.

“We try to show the holiday cards, take [viewers] along for a quick visit to camp and show some of the great kids and families that they can help,” Sawyer said.

“I think we also have helped raise awareness for the Children's Cancer Connection, so that when families need help, they know [Children’s Cancer Connection is] out there for them,” he said.

This year marks the 60th year that WOI-TV has been on air, and they have been helping local charities from the beginning. “We know there are many local businesses that believe in investing in the community like we do,” Sawyer said. “And we’re always looking for a way to build a better community.”

It appears as though all their generosity and airtime has helped the cards get noticed and purchased by members of the community. “I've heard more than a few stories from viewers that have purchased the cards because they saw the public service announcement on ABC5,” Sawyer said. “That's always gratifying.”