Radio One Raises Over 80K in Send-A-Kid 2 Camp Radiothon

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Urban One

Radio One/Richmond raised a record breaking $80,000 during its annual Send-a-Kid 2 Camp radiothon on Friday, June 3. The event, designed to benefit children from the city of Richmond and surrounding areas by providing them with all expenses paid access to safe summer camps and specialty programs, was hosted by Cathy Hughes, the Founder and Chairperson of Urban One, and air personality Clovia "Miss Community" Lawrence.

Special guests included Virginia First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin, Gerald M. Smith and Eric D. English, the police chiefs of Richmond and Henrico counties, respectively, along with the Richmond City sheriff, Antionette V. Irving. Anthem Health Keeper's Plus, Healing Interventions and Mentor Virginia were sponsors of the event.

Lawrence conceived the idea of sending children from underserved communities to camp fifteen years ago, as a way to pay tribute to her godson, Alex, and upon reflection on her own enriching and positive experiences at summer camp. Noticing the gap with children whose families could not afford to send them to summer camp, Lawrence proactively changed the narrative by launching the Send-A-Kid 2 Camp program.

This year, Radio One/Richmond will provide scholarships to a minimum of 100 children so that they may attend culturally sensitive summer camps and specialty programs throughout Central Virginia that will offer a wide range of programming, including fitness activities, mindful and wellness skills, artistic creation, radio broadcasting, entrepreneurship skills, flying lessons, sign language classes, gun violence prevention, and more.

Many of these camps and programs will have specialized facilitators trained in helping children manage childhood trauma and guiding them through behaviors that may be triggered by experiences in their households and neighborhoods.

Radio One Richmond Vice President and General Manager Marsha Landess remarked, "I could not be more proud of the Radio One Richmond team for their efforts in supporting the children and families of this local community."