In Cleveland Radio One stations 93.1 WZAK, Z1079 (WENZ), Newstalk1490 (WERE), and Praise 1300 (WJMO) partnered with local Fox 8 News and MedWish International for “Operation Haiti” helping to raise a large collection of Medical Supplies, dollars and goods for the people of Haiti. During the 12-hour remote broadcast, a drop off site was set up in front of the Fox 8 Studios at 5800 S. Marginal Rd. and cars arrived as early as 6am to give back for such an important cause.
“I knew this event would be big”, says Managing Editor Toni Garbo, “but I had no idea it would be this big,” having to announce for people to stop coming as early as 3:30pm because traffic was backed up past Superior Ave. “We literally created a gridlock”, says Garbo. The amounts of donations were overwhelming. The people of the city of Cleveland really came out to show how much they care.
“It is important for us to come together as community and support our brothers and sisters in Haiti”, says Radio-One Cleveland’s Operation Manager Colby Colb, who made time to come out just before he went on air at Z107.9. Cleveland’s finest made an effort to show they cared in a major way. Off duty Cleveland Firefighters and Cleveland Police helped direct traffic and organize load in. Fish Furniture donated trucks to transport; Browns player, Mike Furrey donated his man power to help load several trucks; Cleveland Browns President, Mike Holcomb came by to support. We also got a surprise visit from Pro-Bowler Josh Cribbs and his wife bringing cases of water to ship off. Former Cleveland Brown, Steve Sanders originally from Cleveland, Oh also donated for the cause.
Radio-One Cleveland On-air personalities Bijou Starr, Tropikana, Mark Slade, Kym Sellers, and Ed Powell were proud to be on the front line while Robyn Simone, Haz Mathews and Basheer Jones commanded the airwaves for “Operation Haiti”. We would not have had such a successful event if it had not been for the many volunteers that came out to support, including the students of Horizon Science Academy who showed up in massive numbers to help load, pack and sort. Cleveland truly made its city proud showing that giving, is better than receiving.
