Cedar Rapids, Iowa – August 30, 2017 – KCRG-TV9, the ABC affiliate in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, partnered with the Greater Iowa chapter of the American Red Cross and held a telethon from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, August 28, 2017 to help raise money for those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

During the two-hour period, KCRG-TV9 turned their break room into a call center where volunteers from the American Red Cross answered phones and collected donations from viewers across their 21-county DMA.

KCRG-TV9 broadcast live from the call center throughout their 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts. Bruce Aune anchored the Hurricane Harvey coverage from the call center, utilizing the active background. In addition, the KCRG-TV9 staff utilized web and social media to help generate donations to assist the people of Texas dealing with tragedy.

The American Red Cross says $46,015 was donated by the generous people of eastern Iowa. The total includes a $10,000 match from University of Iowa Community Credit Union (UICCU). The total does not include online or text donations.

UICCU is also accepting walk-in donations at all of their branches until September 18. UICCU will match those walk-in donations up to $10,000.

Following catastrophic flooding in Cedar Rapids in 2008 and 2016, KCRG-TV9 knows the importance of donations and volunteers in times of great tragedy.

KCRG-TV9 would like to thank its viewers, advertisers and staff for helping make this event a huge success.