This past Tuesday evening, we had our first Weather Deck party of the Summer, and what a success it was! In my time here at WSTM I’ve had many a party, inside and out for a variety of good reasons. Years ago we did neighborhood block parties for great friends and neighbors. And, every December I put on a Toys for Tots Party in our Studio B. That’s always a thrill with literally a few thousand toys being donated by viewers, county officials and dozens of great CNY businesses and organizations.
In the planning stages early this year, I wanted our Summer Weather Deck parties to be something positive! So many good people have been going through so many tough times with the economy, but I didn’t want it to stop there. What about families with great personal tragedies like the loss of a loved one? We can’t forget about them. But, I also didn’t want to forget about the many, many individuals, clubs, groups, businesses and organizations that devote themselves to just plain doing good things for people, day in and day out. All these folks can use a little “life relief”, and thus we have our Weather Deck parties! (See photos and video from last Tuesday's party on this site).
You may already know the drill on entering. Go to our home page and look for Weather Deck party either on the top gray bar or half way down on the right hand side of the Home page. Then, in 200 words or less, tell us why you or someone else deserves a party on the Weather Deck.
To date, we have received more than 200 entries, and we are truly amazed at the stories we are seeing! My right hand man (or woman to be correct) in reviewing all entries with me is Erikka. She is fairly new here at the station, but what a great asset she has quickly become to many of us, especially to me in helping sort through all entries and organizing the parties.
Erikka and I quickly realized that we could do a Weather Deck party every week if it were possible as we have so many unbelievable stories, and still not cover everyone. The toughest challenge so far has been choosing the recipients. (By the way, as of this writing, we still have plenty of emails to go through, so if you haven’t entered yet, be sure to do so). We will actually begin nailing down recipients for our next party in the next couple of weeks. The next party is on June 18th.
Our party of 150+ people earlier this week, as you might imagine, involved a tremendous amount of behind the scenes work and organization, and I couldn’t do it all myself. Laura in Sales, Erikka, Dean, Margaret and Nicole (all employees here at CNYcentral) helped make it all happen from sponsors to physically setting up the party tables and chairs. These are all tremendous people who care about others!
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention our President/CEO Chris Geiger and our News Director Rae Fulkerson. The fact of the matter is that if they didn’t think it was a good thing to do, we wouldn’t be doing it.
And a quick note about our sponsors. The folks at Penn Traffic, specifically P & C Supermarkets with Terry and Kathy supplying all the great food and drinks, and Tarson Pools and Spas are our primary sponsors. Both of these organizations and people truly care about this community and its people! Tarson’s has even donated a brand new hot tub which we’ll be giving away. Others who make these Weather Deck parties “come alive” and are to be thanked are TK-99 radio with Gomez, Dave & Lisa and Galaxy Communications; Able Smith Tent & Party Rentals, Cruisin’ Cones with their ice cream truck and Syracuse Safety Lites Inc. for the porta-potties (you gotta have these for a group gathering).
Just in case you’re wondering WHO the recipients were at our first party, below is the list of the 10 groups represented and a quick note about some of them.
Bill & Lisa Robbins. Lost their son in 2008, and this was only the start of a tough year for them. Nominated by their daughter.
National Guard of Central New York
SUNY Upstate Perinatal Center. Lots of stress saving lives daily
ARC of Onondaga county
Team George. A family and friends who participate in the Cystic Fibrosis walk every year on behalf of George who is 10 years old, has Cystic Fibrosis, and was with us for the party.
Geddes Police Benevolent Association
Humane Association of Syracuse
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from University Hospital. More stress with lives on the line daily
Keela Jones Family – more personal tragedy
Women’s Opportunities Center of Syracuse. Helping displaced homemakers and reaching out to the community.
Yes, a very tough job choosing! For each party, we will be choosing 8 to 12 groups. Our intent is to “take a load off their minds” for at least an hour or two. It’s the least we can do for them!
