12-hour radio event to raise money for Sumter United Ministries

With the holidays coming up, a charity in Sumter will be raising money through a radio give-a-thon event.

For the second year in a row, Community Broadcasters will host a 12-hour Radio Give-A-Thon for Sumter United Ministries on Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Community Broadcasters began in 2006 with one goal: giving back to the communities they serve through community involvement, public service and charitable contributions, according to its website.

While the group was deciding on one of Sumter's many charities, Sumter United Ministries was recommended by residents and businesses in the area.

Since 1994, Sumter United Ministries has provided a platform for Sumter churches to meet the needs of the elderly, working poor, disabled and homeless. In response to those needs, it has grown to include crisis relief, home repair, a homeless shelter, education assistance and medical services, according to its website.

"We wanted to work with a charity around the holiday season, and Sumter United kept being brought up time and time again, and after sitting down with Mark [Champagne], I was convinced wholeheartedly that was the one," said Ray Handel, executive director of sales for Community Broadcasters.

After raising roughly $6,700 last year during the event, Handel hopes to exceed that amount this year.

"To raise that much for a one-day event where donations kept flooding in after was phenomenal. I would love, love if we could hopefully top that this year," he said.

During the 12-hour event, listeners can hear stories from on-air personalities and hear from people from the Florence office.

Sumter United Ministries Executive Director Mark Champagne said he is grateful and excited that Handel wanted to host the event again this year.

"We are just grateful that so many people want to help us out, and this is something that Community Broadcasters are doing entirely on their own," Champagne said.

Champagne said people can donate by phone at (803) 774-3400, on their website www.sumterunited.com or by cash app $SUMdonate.

Throughout the day, phone volunteers will be available to take donations by phone, and if anyone wants to donate after the event, the cash app and website will still be available.

"The funds are not restricted, so the money will be there for whatever we may need to use it for," Champagne said.

Listeners can tune in on Wednesday on the radio at 95.5 to hear many stories and jokes, and if possible, they can donate while listening.

"Whichever, whatever way you can donate from a dollar to $200, whatever you can afford is more than appreciated, or even sending someone in need to Sumter United Ministries is a great help," Handel said.