WCVB Announces Recipients Of Its ‘Fifty Years Fund’

Hearst ABC affiliate WCVB Boston, presented a series of grants totaling more than $260,000 to five nonprofit organizations through its Fifty Years Fund which was facilitated by the United Way of Massachusetts Bay. The Fifty Years Fund was created as the public service component of WCVB’s year-long celebration of its 50th year on the air and in service to the community. With the goal of raising funds to support youth-focused charities, WCVB launched this important initiative as a way to reinforce and pay homage to the station’s commitment to community service made at its inception in 1972.

The grants, ranging from $21,000 to $100,000, were awarded to five local nonprofit institutions and will aid a variety of programs that target at-risk youth in the areas of mental health, mentoring, and self-esteem.

The awards will be presented today by NewsCenter 5 anchor Erika Tarantal on behalf of WCVB President and General Manager, Kyle I. Grimes, and United Way of Massachusetts Bay Ansin President and Chief Executive Officer, Bob Giannino, at the start line of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge on the Boston Common.

WCVB President-GM Kyle I. Grimes said: “It is vital to invest in today’s youth to ensure a healthier, safer, and brighter future for all. On behalf of everyone at WCVB, I’m delighted to present these five remarkable organizations with a grant from our Fifty Years Fund so they can continue their important work serving young people across Massachusetts. This could not have been accomplished without the generosity of our loyal viewers, our parent company Hearst Television, and our corporate partners; and we thank them all for their generosity.”

Two nonprofit organizations received $100,000:

Aaron’s Presents provides individualized mentoring and logistical resources to students through the eighth grade who aspire to create positive change in the community. Doc Wayne provides mental health services to youth by using revolutionary sport-based therapy and clinical initiatives.

Three nonprofit organizations received $21,000:

EmpowerHER connects and supports girls and young women up to age 25 who have experienced the loss of their mothers. Silver Lining Mentoring empowers youth in Greater Boston foster care through committed mentoring relationships and the development of essential life skills. The NAN Project provides much-needed tools and vital resources to youth experiencing depression and possibly contemplating suicide.

“Today’s grant presentation marks the culmination of Channel 5’s year-long fund-raising campaign,” said Karen Holmes Ward, WCVB’s director of public affairs and community services. “An internal committee comprised of WCVB employees selected these five deserving awardees from a field of over 90 outstanding nonprofit applicants, and we look forward to the positive impact these grants will have on young people in the community.”

Funding for the Fifty Years Fund was supported by a daylong telethon held last May by WCVB that featured on-air appeals for viewer support and donations. WCVB’s parent company, Hearst Television, pledged a $50,000 donation to kick-off the campaign. Major donors also include J.P. Morgan and The Lynch Foundation. Administered by the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, the goal of the fund was aligned with the primary objectives of the United Way with a focus on what has clearly become the issue of our generation – systemic change in the areas of social and economic justice and supporting the next generation of youth to ensure they have access to achieving their educational and career goals.