Media company raises millions for those in need

Belo media company employees worked with local charities, business sponsors, civic organizations and community volunteers to raise cash donations, give away toys, collect food and winter coats, support local schools and medical research, and donate blood during the holidays.

Belo Corp. announced today that its television stations and newspapers held major holiday-giving campaigns in their local communities this year that raised more than $2.5 million in cash donations; collected more than 479,000 toys for children and 60,000 coats and other gifts valued at more than $5 million; and coordinated nearly 375,000 pounds of food donations for the disadvantaged. The gifts and donations raised will benefit more than two million children and families. Many of the holiday initiatives have become annual traditions, with the oldest campaign dating to 1924.

"Many have given generously this holiday season to help others in the local communities we serve," said Dunia Shive, president/Media Operations. "Our television stations and newspapers are proud to help bring renewed hope and holiday blessings to many individuals and families through these campaigns. These efforts reflect Belo's year-round commitment to addressing critical community needs both through our journalistic efforts and worthwhile charitable causes."

Belo media company employees worked with local charities, business sponsors, civic organizations and community volunteers to raise cash donations, give away toys, collect food and winter coats, support local schools and medical research, and donate blood during the holidays. To support these efforts, investments by the Company's television stations, newspapers, Web sites and its sponsors were made to underwrite airtime, print and online advertising which was valued at more than $2.6 million.

Systemwide, toy and gift drives topped the list of activities. Ten Belo television stations -- WFAA-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth, KHOU-TV in Houston, KTVK and KASW-TV in Phoenix, KMOV-TV in St. Louis, KGW-TV in Portland, WCNC-TV in Charlotte, KENS-TV and KBEJ-TV in San Antonio and KTVB in Boise; two newspapers, The Providence Journal and The Press-Enterprise; and Belo corporate partnered with local organizations to provide toys for underprivileged children. Community partners included The Salvation Army, Riverside County Regional Medical Center, BlueCross BlueShield in Portland, and Randall's grocery stores, Keller Williams Realty, and the United States Marine Corps in Texas, to name a few.

Belo's 2005 holiday campaigns included the following highlights:

In its twentieth year, The Dallas Morning News Charities program at The Dallas Morning News collected more than $1.1 million with this year's campaign extending to January 31. The Dallas Morning News Charities program supports 21 agencies that provide food, clothing, shelter and other basic services to the hungry and homeless in North Texas. The Morning News pays all administrative costs, ensuring that all money donated goes directly to the non-profit agencies. The newspaper has raised more than $15 million since the charity was founded in 1986.

WFAA-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth collected more than 73,000 toys, valued at greater than $875,000, as part of its 36th annual Santa's Helpers Toy Drive. The toys were distributed to more than 50,000 children in the North Texas area. As part of the campaign, almost $38,000 was raised through online donations to purchase additional toys. Administrative costs related to the campaign were paid by campaign sponsors Tom Thumb, Don Davis Autogroup, DR Horton Homes, and Cadbury Schweppes America's Beverages.

KING-TV in Seattle/Tacoma promoted two campaigns this year. The station partnered with U.S. Bank to support the "Home Team Harvest" food drive benefiting the Northwest Harvest Food Bank. The drive collected 151,103 pounds of non-perishable food and $107,395 in cash in only one day. These donations will help feed more than 248,400 families. In addition to the food drive, KING partnered with Great American RV for the Jingle Bell Run benefiting the Arthritis Foundation -- Pacific NW chapter to fund medical research. More than $400,000 was collected from more than 9,000 participants.

KTVK in Phoenix joined The Salvation Army in a turkey drive, collecting more than 1,000 turkeys and raising nearly $37,500 for area families at Thanksgiving. As part of its 20th annual Christmas Angel program, the station collected clothes and more than 126,000 toys for 51,000 underprivileged children in Arizona. To date, KTVK has helped collect more than one million toys since the Christmas Angel program began. Also, in partnership with a local grocer, KTVK held the Arizona's Family Food Drive collecting more than 40,900 pounds of food for local food banks. KASW-TV targeted its efforts at its younger audience with safe-driving messages.

WVEC-TV in Hampton/Norfolk participated in several campaigns throughout the holiday season, collecting nearly $1 million in cash and gifts. WVEC and Entertainment Publications helped area schools raise more than $378,000 by encouraging people to buy Entertainment Books from the schools. WVEC also sponsored Fantasy Shopping Night at MacArthur Center Mall to benefit the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, which raised nearly $30,000. WVEC and the American Red Cross sponsored a three-day regional blood drive before Christmas at several local malls, which collected more than 450 pints of blood that will provide life-saving blood products for nearly 1,500 people. Additionally, WVEC worked with BB&T Bank to promote the sale of special plush puppies, which raised more than $50,000 to benefit the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters. Finally, this Christmas WVEC, the Salvation Army and area malls and businesses partnered to collect new clothing valued at $470,000 for almost 19,000 disadvantaged children in Hampton Roads.

WHAS-TV in Louisville held its annual Crusade for Children which supports agencies assisting children with special needs. Several thousand children will benefit from nearly 200 grants that will be awarded in September to agencies in Kentucky and southern Indiana. The value of the contributions exceeded $159,400.

The Providence Journal Santa Fund, the longest running campaign among Belo media companies that dates to 1924, and Hasbro, Inc., joined together for a statewide Children's Holiday Hope Fund. More than 57,000 local children received toys, hats and mittens. So far, The Providence Journal Santa Fund has raised more than $107,000. The campaign officially ends on March 31.