– Phone number for telethon: 859-299-5455 or 800-500-1513– Web site: Donate directly to the American Red Cross– eBay auction items: Place your bid– Live stream: Watch online
In the wake of the earthquake in Haiti, which has left hundreds of thousands dead or homeless and crippled an already poverty-stricken nation, Kentucky head coach John Calipari and his team will hold a telethon with WKYT on Sunday to raise money for those affected in the tragedy.The telethon, “Hoops for Haiti,” will start at noon on Sunday and be televised live on stations in Lexington, Bowling Green, Hazard, Louisville, Hopkinsville and Huntington, V. Va., until 1:30 p.m. The telethon will continue throughout the afternoon with break-ins until 4:30 p.m.
UKathletics.com will stream the event live on its Web site. “To get our state energized and to get the Commonwealth to understand this stuff is really crazy down there, we’re going to do anything we can here,” Calipari said. “We’re going to spend our Sunday as a staff, and hopefully we’ll get the other coaches involved here, we’ll get our players involved to the level they’re allowed to be involved.”Calipari said there will be matching funds, auctioned items and several chances to donate during “Hoops for Haiti.” Several local and national celebrities are scheduled to take part in the telethon from Lexington and remote locations, and current and former coaches and players are planned to call in and take part in the telethon.The telethon will be run through the United Way to the American Red Cross, meaning the funds will go directly to Haiti, Calipari said. Calipari volunteered former UK head coach Joe B. Hall during the announcement for the event and said he will try to get as many current and former players involved.The first-year coach, who has been outspoken in recent days about the loss in Haiti, is hoping other Lexington affiliates will pick up the telethon for broadcast.”It’s more than just about TV stations,” Calipari said. “It’s about people and young people and young kids who lost everything and probably in many cases their whole family.”Although the “Hoops for Haiti” telethon does not start until Sunday, you can help with the relief efforts in Haiti now by donating directly to the American Red Cross.
