Event founder Burt Sappenfield and CENTURY 21 Larry Miller Realty owner-broker Larry Miller announced that the efforts of the iHeartMEDIA local radio station group, FOX 54 News Now (WFXG-TV), and The Augusta Chronicle were major reasons “Operation Hand-Warmer 2019” exceeded the number of donations that were collected last year by over 12,000 items. “Our magnificent media partners invested a lot of time and work into helping us collect 9,000-plus hand-warmers and over 18,000 snacks, blankets, candies, and other items this year,” explained Mr. Sappenfield. “We thank our amazing Media Partners, the great patriots of the CSRA, and all of our dozens of volunteers for making this year’s donations drive a resounding success,” added Mr. Miller.

Cher Best, iHeartMEDIA Augusta Marketing/Promotions Manager, orchestrated a series of remote broadcasts with various local radio personalities at several area

businesses, including the Fort Gordon PX. iHeartMEDIA Augusta stations include WBBQ-FM 104.3, 96.3 KISS-FM, 105.7 THE BULL, EAGLE 106.3, POWER 107, and FOX SPORTS 1340.

FOX 54 VP/GM Denise Vickers coordinated various on-air and online promotions featuring her station’s news personalities pointing out the importance of this worthwhile cause. The biggest single-day event was FOX 54’s “Donation Blitz” from 5:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. on December 4^th at the Evans Wal-Mart where Jay Jefferies and Cortney Hicks hosted live broadcasts all day. This one-day event netted over 9,000 donated items.

Augusta Chronicle president Tony Bernados and his staff published multiple feature stories promoting Operation Hand-Warmer 2019, as well as several full-page ads throughout the campaign. Tim Horton’s digital media team designed several online ads that were used by all three Media Partners.

All three Media Partners coordinated their extensive promotional efforts flawlessly and ran extensive digital media campaigns that helped make Operation Hand-Warmer more successful than ever. As he has for several years, Moving Canvas Media owner Rob Forbes donated his time and considerable talents to produce a compelling public service announcement for television, online, and social media exposure for Operation Hand-Warmer 2019.

From day one in 2012, Bert Dean, CEO of ClarionSouth Communications, has coordinated all media activities as his primary contribution to this worthy cause. ClarionSouth VP Allen Dean handled media relations and coordinated PR efforts for this year’s event. (Bert Dean is also Co-founder and Executive Director of the CSRA HOME CONNECTIONS Program.)