August 28, 2002
WEEI and the Red Sox host most successful
radiothon in Jimmy Fund history
WEEI listeners and Red Sox fans pledge more than $325,000 to Dana-Farber
Sports Radio WEEI 850 AM and the Boston Red Sox teamed up last Friday, Aug. 23 to host the most successful radiothon in Jimmy Fund history. The 18-hour celebrity-packed radiothon raised more than $325,000 in gifts and pledges and served as the kick off to the 50-year anniversary celebration of the Boston Red Sox-Jimmy Fund connection, the most extraordinary charity-ballclub relationship in major league sports.
"We are extremely grateful for the generous response from the WEEI listeners and the Red Sox fans," says Mike Andrews, chairman of the Jimmy Fund. "People were calling in pledges from their cars, offices and homes as well as from the streets near Fenway."
Throughout the day, WEEI hosted celebrity-packed radiothon/party to raise funds for the Jimmy Fund, the Red Sox's official charity since April 10, 1953. Announcers interviewed celebrities and past and present sports stars, including Former President Bush, Lenny Clarke, Susan Sarandon, Fran Drescher, Jim Belushi, Bill Lee, Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, Mo Vaughn, Brian Daubach, Tim Wakefield, Casey Fossum and others. There also were interviews with some lesser-known "celebrities" — Jimmy Fund Clinic patients, the doctors who treat them, and the researchers who are working on developing cures.
"The event was a tremendous success," says Jason Wolfe, program director at WEEI. "Whether you contributed one dollar or one thousand dollars, your gifts are most appreciated and will certainly help the fight against cancer."
Special programming throughout the day included conversations with the new Red Sox owners; the manager and interim general manager; current team members; and members of the Impossible Dream Teamfrom 1967, which voted to award the Jimmy Fund a full share of their World Series earnings.
Among those who recounted the glories of the 1967 team included Triple Crown winner Carl Yastrzemski; Cy Young Award winner Jim Lonborg; Manager of the Year Dick Williams; and the team's second baseman and current Jimmy Fund chairman, Mike Andrews.
The day ended with an emotional on-field ceremony that commemorated the 35th anniversary of the Impossible Dream team's unforgettable season. Joining the members of the 1967 team on field for the ceremonial first pitch were members of the current Red Sox, cancer survivors who were treated at Dana-Farber in 1967 and beyond, and current Dana-Farber pediatric patients.
