More than two dozen Madison area media outlets will participate in the United We Stand Wisconsin Cares fundraising drive for the United Way's September 11 Fund today.
The event will be held exactly one month after terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania claimed more than 5,000 lives.
All four of Madison's network television affiliates will broadcast live during their 5 and 6 p.m. Thursday newscasts from shared temporary studios at East Towne and West Towne malls, as well as the Madison Civic Center, 211 State St., according to Todd Pritchard, news director for WKOW TV-27 and WMSN TV-47.
'Everybody's newscast will feature the pledge drive as a big part of their newscast,' Pritchard said.
In addition, numerous local radio stations, as well as the Wisconsin State Journal and The Capital Times will participate in a media blitz encouraging people to donate to the United Way fund.
'Almost every media in southern Wisconsin is all working together for United We Stand Wisconsin Cares,' Pritchard said. 'This is really, truly unprecedented. All the media are in one day having one message to their viewers.'
Anyone who wishes to donate to the September 11 fund can do so at any of the broadcast locations, through a toll-free pledge line staffed by United Way volunteers or online through any of the local TV stations' Web sites, Pritchard said.
The local TV networks are even planning a few tricks to liven up the broadcasts and show off their unified spirit.
'We're hoping to have an anchor exchange during the five o'clock news' between WISC TV-3 and WKOW, Pritchard said.
During the newscasts, anchors will talk to Madison officials including Mayor Sue Bauman about the value of contributing to relief efforts for victims of the Sept. 11 attacks, according to Craig Bursaw of the WISC programming department.
In addition to the newscasts, WISC will broadcast a half-hour special at 6:30 p.m., commemorating the victims of Sept. 11.
Although the special broadcasts will occur during the regular TV newscasts, Madisonians 'can donate all day at the two malls in town,' Bursaw said.
He added that in-person donations will also be accepted at the Civic Center between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Pritchard said the stations have set no fundraising goals for the drive.
'We're really not sure how much is going to be raised,' he said.
