Media General Stations Aid Sandy Victims

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, seven Media General stations rushed to aid victims by hosting phone banks for the American Red Cross. They are: WBTW Myrtle Beach, S.C.; WCMH Columbus, Ohio; WFLA Tampa, Fla.; WJBF-WAGT Augusta, Ga.; WJHL Johnson City, Tenn.; WSAV Savannah, Ga.; and WSPA Spartanburg, S.C.

In a single evening, WFLA raised more than $28,000. WCMH raised more than $27,000 over a two-day phone drive. WJBF-WAGT raised $15,416 with a one-day telethon. WJHL has raised $25,000 in five days.

In addition to a phone bank, WSAV posted a ticker promoting Red Cross donations throughout 90 minutes of newscasts. The station also used social media to promote donations.

WSLS Roanoke, Va., is following supplies sent from a local church to hurricane victims in New Jersey and New York. Anchor Lindsey Ward and Photojournalist Grant Hansen will travel with the supplies to show how and where they are being used. WSLS also designated the American Red Cross as this month’s recipient of the money raised through the station’s Three Degree Guarantee.

WJAR Providence, R.I., hosted a Call 12 on Friday evening where viewers called to find out how they can volunteer in recovery efforts and/or donate money. The 7 p.m. newscast was dedicated to coverage of Sandy’s aftermath. In this newscast, WJAR also replayed some of the best stories of the week that many viewers missed due to massive power outages.