Ongoing media telethon already has raised $1.5 mil for Haitian relief

Normally fierce competitors, Chicago area media outlets will drop their rivalry and join hands to help area residents assist quake-ravaged Haitians today. As of 12:45 p.m., the effort already has raised more than $1.6 million.

The Chicago Helps Haiti telethon started at 5 a.m. and runs until 11 p.m. Organizers say nearly every local television and radio station, as well as the Daily Herald and Crain's Chicago Business, will be promoting the fundraiser and urging people to call (877) 565-5000 to donate.

At least 1,500 volunteers will be working the phones from a call center at Hewitt Associates in Lincolnshire. Money raised will go directly to the American Red Cross Haitian relief effort.

"The media have a powerful voice and we should use it," said ABC 7 President and General Manager Emily Barr. "The coordinated effort to make people aware has the potential to raise a considerable amount of money."

"We've long been committed to helping make a positive difference and we know our readers want to help, too, so we jumped at the chance to join our broadcast brethren," said Daily Herald Managing Editor Madeleine Doubek.

This isn't the first time the outlets have come together to help raise funds for disaster victims. They worked to solicit funds for victims of the Asian tsunami in 2004. That effort netted about $2.5 million for the Red Cross.

"The broadcasters in this city have a keen understanding of the difference they can make when they join forces to get the word out when a major disaster strikes," Jackie Mitchell, Red Cross director of marketing and communications, said in a statement. "We know this will be the case with our effort to help the people of Haiti."

Steve Robinson, general manager of radio station WFMT, organized the tsunami telethon and is leading the Haitian drive. He says it wasn't hard getting the others on board.

"It was like pushing a rock down a hill," Robinson said. "We have about 40 to 50 radio stations that are in, and all but one TV station. There was no hesitation when we asked them. It was an immediate response."

Robinson said he's impressed by the folks at Hewitt and their willingness to open their call center for the telethon.

"These guys are amazing," he said. "They don't miss anything. They run it like the military. They have all the equipment, phones, computers, printers, everything."

Most of the call volunteers will be working from the Lincolnshire office, but others will be in Hewitt offices in Florida, Texas and North Carolina, Robinson said.

Red Cross officials said the money will be used for basic needs including water, meals and shelter tents. One hundred tons of Red Cross supplies have arrived in Haiti as of today, officials said.

People can follow updates today on the Daily Herald Web site, dailyherald.com, the ABC 7 Web site, abc7chicago.com, or on the Chicago Red Cross' Facebook page. Type The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago into the search box to find their fan page, or follow them on Twitter at twitter.com/chicagoredcross.

Officials at the Chicago-based McCormick Foundation said they will match the first $1 million donated at 50 cents on the dollar, for up to $500,000.

"We know that the people of Chicago care deeply, and we are proud to be a part of our hometown's special effort on behalf of our neighbors in Haiti," said Foundation President David Hiller in a statement.

Donations also can be made to the Red Cross at chicagoredcross.org/haiti or by texting "Haiti" to 90999. Each text will send $10 to the Red Cross.