Wausau, WI, January 2, 2020: WSAW NewsChannel 7 and FOX WZAW’s annual Share Your Holidays campaign has helped more people than ever by setting another campaign record. Between donations from viewers and matching grants, $100,091 was donated to The Salvation Army of Wausau and The Neighbors’ Place. The previous record of $100,001 was set in 2018.

“I’m so overwhelmed,” said Jeff Thelen, WSAW anchor and campaign coordinator, “The generosity from the people in Central and North Central Wisconsin just never fails to amaze me. That $100,000 will become 300,000 meals for people who might otherwise not have something to eat. Thank you so much for the donations!”

In addition to monetary donations, viewers also donated over six thousand pounds of non-perishable food. “Peyton’s Promise is grateful to a generous community, who donated 6,162 pounds of food to Share Your Holidays,” said Teena Medick, Executive Director of Peyton’s Promise. Via Peyton’s Promise, the food donations were distributed to five local food pantries, which serve 1000 families a month. “Peyton’s Promise is grateful to partner with WSAW and Share Your Holidays in the fight against hunger.”

The Share Your Holidays campaign started on Nov. 29 and ended on Dec. 30. Throughout the campaign, WSAW/WZAW-TV staff participated in several events to help drive donations. On Dec. 6, staff walked along the Wausau Holiday Parade, collecting non-perishable food and monetary donations. The next week, on Dec. 13, more than $2,800 was raised as station staff pumped gas in exchange for donations at a Celebrity Gas Pump. Then, on Dec. 18, a three-hour phone bank raised more than $7,200.

With zero overhead cost, a significant portion of Share Your Holidays continued success can be attributed to its sponsors: Incredible Bank, JX Enterprises and Wagner Shell. WSAW/WZAW-TV staff also play a large role, donating their time and resources to help support the campaign.

“The community response to our Share Your Holidays fundraiser is very humbling, “said Al Lancaster, WSAW/WZAW VP/GM. “We are very blessed to live in such a special place. Thank you!”

This is the 17th year for Share Your Holidays and brings the total for all the years combined to more than $818,000.

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