I used to enjoy coming home from work and watching the local news but WBOC rarely shows local news these days. Between Johnnie Janosik's commercials and 10 minutes of who made what donation, then we have to listen to Paul Butler beg for even more money because they are so far behind last year. Tack on 10 minutes of weather and there's no room for true reporting anyway. The only news I saw tonight was how they are preparing for snow in Dover.
After tonight I will no longer watch WBOC. I made my small donation to the Salvation Army this year instead.
Publishers Notes: This is a tough one because I can't argue having the same feeling about how there is very little local news any more. If you think it's bad now, it will get a lot worse the closer we get to Christmas when they start repeating the same business names from day one all the way to the 25th.
On the other hand, their fundraising efforts do help a lot of Families. Perhaps they can keep it on line instead of live broadcasts and get back to what their advertisers and viewers expect from them.
Let's see what our viewers have to say in comments.
62 comments:
WBOC.a joke for any two day old news....advertising leader should be the new slogan...news yeh right..better informed with this blog and my weather app..bussiness beware my dollars will be few for you if you support crap like the DT AND WBOC...its turned to any station but thier news..DT gone from my house long time ago.
The author of this comment made a mistake to donate to the Salvation Army. The local Salvation Army isn't what it use to be. I am looking to donate to an organization who feeds, clothes, and provides shelter to those less fortunate or even the homeless, such as the Christian Shelter or Halo. I need to help those who help themselves. Thanks for letting me sound off.
This article is so spot on. My husband screams at the tv every night boc is on.
I would like to know who the really needy folks/children are. With all the welfare, food stamps, help with oil and electric bills from Shore Up, etc., are the people who are benefitting from these food drives, etc. the ones who are trying to eke out a living but just can't make ends meet, or is it going to those on welfare and other benefits? I guess this sounds like I'm dumb and out of it, but if I can help someone, I want to know where my money is going.
7:28 pm I beg to differ with you. Our Salvation Army does a lot for those who can not do for themselves. And, you should pay attention, most of the business community is behind the Army in some way or another. And, who are you to say the Army isn't what it use to be since it sounds as if you don't contribute to the Salvation Army and don't know what goes on with them. Sounds to me you just have a beef with them. Go climb back under your rock.
Our local media is detached from this community. I felt the same way when every 5 minutes there were those horrible and pathetic Sherwood commercials on. I would turn the channel every time. who's the idiot at Sherwood who thought those were a good idea. Finally they cut back on the advertising and then WBOC turned into a Delaware station.
For the life of me I do not know why they do not have 2 stations. One serving DE and one serving MD.
Bless our children is a nice charity, but they should use some of their other air time to solicit money and not the news block. The writer is spot on. Their news is old, not local and out of touch. It is all filler and no actual news. The chopper seems to have been a write off because it serves no purpose. When I bother with news, it's WMDT.
I agree that this article is difficult because it plays on people's emotions surrounding children for donations.
I completely understand and agree with the poster regarding WBOC. Over the years, they have gone downhill. They are afraid to make waves. They don't ask hard-hitting questions and dig hard for worthy news backed up with facts. The news from them anymore is fluff with no substance. They have lost sight, people want local news and they are not delivering. Donations are down because people don't have jobs, and if they do have a job, it takes all they make to pay the bills. Our leaders certainly don't care about that HUGE FACT.
Stop trying to one up each other and if you are going to donate, donate privately and humbly without advertising it. I agree put the donations online and save the time for the news. Everyone wins.
For me, I would rather donate to people privately that I know need alittle help not handouts. The ones that need it most, generally are left out.
8:01 Excellent comment!
I'll never forget a former Reporter from WBOC who left because Draper made a huge investment with an outside consulting company who found the majority of their viewers were redneck hunters with low paying jobs, I'm not kidding.
Hence their new Outdoors hunting and fishing show.
For some reason WBOC wants to cater to the so called "rednecks" but try to keep it classy like the Metropolitan so they can ask for the big advertising revenue.
I have to also agree with the automobile advertising comment. I mean, seriously, how many people are actually out there buying cars every day and just how many choices do people on the Shore have to go to choose to buy from a specific dealer.
I for one have NEVER purchased a single item from Johnnie Janosics. Besides, I'm more likely to find a smaller home town business to do business with.
I was somewhat reluctant putting up this Post but now I'm very glad I did.
I'd like to see a financial statement as to how these funds are used. I see how HALO and the Salvation Army use theirs but how is "Bless Our Children" actually spent. I feel it takes away from the charities that need the money and who will use it all year.
Giving is supposed to be humble and private, not public and boastful. They simply bought 25 guaranteed days of advertising. That's how I see it.
You wanna see where your money goes, here's the link:
http://dynamodata.fdncenter.org/990_pdf_archive/050/050627599/050627599_201212_990.pdf
They only show that they donated $119,000.00 last year (but claim to have received over $200,000). The majority went to multiple Salvation Army's and one larger sum to the Worcester County Sheriff's Office.
8:34
I believe you may be wrong.
They have 1.4 million and gave away around 204,000.
That left them with assets (cash) of 1.2 million.
Not very charitable.
Off topic but check this one out.
PRMC
http://nccsdataweb.urban.org/orgs/profile/520591628?popup=1
I'm with 8:01. I just can't believe that there are any hungry people in this country and if there are they are just to stupid to go sign up for all the government programs. Tell me who is NOT eligible for government assistance if they are so poor that they cannot buy food or housing?
This charity stuff is just a feel good thing for the people involved.
8:51
8:34 here
WBOC "claims" on TV to have received just over $200,000. I saw the 1.4 million.
Does anyone know what Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc. is and what does it do???? They get $4.2 million from Government grants (us), only $5,000 in "membership dues" and pay out $1.2 million in salaries.....for WHAT???? Just check out their website: http://mdbc.us/membership
I need to start a "charity".
Felt the same way this Pm when I turned from Fox news to 16 to catch up on weather....No disrespect to the poor and needy but I think every one does their best to donate to the charity of their choice " Family and grandchildren" How many local people in our area appear to be MALNOURISHED ??? Give some college aide to young people out here working hard plus going to school to better themselves!!
They are simply collecting funds, investing them, making interest and re-distributing to local charities. So simply give to one of the charities on the list and cut out the middle man.
Basically they are taking away from charities already in place, because they support themselves with free air time in trade for free advertising for your donation.
You would be better served to give your donation directly to a charity of your choice instead of having them choose for you how much goes where.
I am sick of hearing so much news about Delaware, both stations are located here in Salisbury, not Delaware! Almost 75% of WBOC news is all about Delaware, they should just move to Dover and be done with it, that is where they obviously want to be!
To me another issue here is commercials in general. We are flooded with them. There are some shows that have as much time devoted to ads as to the program. Look at the end scene of BOC news, the Jonny J ads around the edge take up more space than the news desk photo. Delmarva today is a great deal, we used to see an hour program with a few ads interspersed, now we have an hour commercial interspersed with program! I am sure the last two episodes of Walking Dead had as much time devoted to ads as to the program. No wonder people are not watching TV, I am not watching as much as I used to.
Please investigate before you contribute.
I've found that most of these organizations only give 10cents on your dollar of contribution.
However , the salvation army is one of the best to contribute to.
99% of the money goes directly to help someone .
A good example is the Man in charge , he makes around $13,000 a year , while the man in charge of united way makes $375,000 plus many expenses.
If you do your home work you will be surprised.
Good Will , is another example of Greed , this company is owned by a man who profits 2 million a year and gives nothing . He receives donations for free , sells the stuff , pays his employees minimum wage and runs to the bank.
Just a thought for you guys , go to channel 25 fox , they have news . Please , if you continue to watch wboc you are supporting the station. So , just don't go there.
By the way , all of their news is on teleprompter , they just repeat what they read.
Most of these people are at this station for learning , however , some are just not qualified to move on to better news stations , as you can see .
It is a liberal, democrat station , so give it up like we have done with cnn and msnbc.
If you give from the heart , I'm sure you would want to remain anonymous . I guess this is a way to advertise ! Again just like the board of education , it's for the children.
Excuse me , I just had to vomit , made me sick.
I agree with the comments above about the Salvation Army not being what it used to be - and I don't live under a rock!! If you are familiar with the churches taking turns housing the homeless during the coldest winter months (2 weeks at each church where they are housed and fed), you need to be aware that the Salvation Army with their two gyms with showers (which most churches don't have) and a kitchen in the basement of their church/administrative offices cannot manage to house or feed one person during this period. If you add their Hazel facility there is even more room they have to participate in this program. If you read their mission statement, it doesn't appear to me that being a "youth sports club" is fulfilling the mission. Why don't they house and feed the homeless - because it interferes with their sports programs! Why can't this Christian organization find a way to do both??? They do have a small social service program, but when you look at the amount of funds they have to give to their regional office, it begs the question if there are better managed local charities to support.
That is why we watch 47 news much better
5:26 - the leaders of the Army make small salaries, but they have their homes, vehicles, gas, insurances, all utilities, uniforms, moves and more paid for by the local Army they serve - plus a "company" credit card. Locally they have paid for trash pick up and lawn maintenance too. So, if all you had to do was buy food with your salary - it isn't that bad of a deal is it? Check your facts!
5:26 - Really?? How you report and account for your funds can be manipulated to say whatever you want.
7:26 - well said!! It is not what it used to be - sad but very true.
Listening to them read off the donors does get old. Personally we like to know the 'faces' behind who we donate to. Not necessarily those who receive, but who is handling the money. We also prefer to give to animal related charities and used to give to the Ocean City Humane society until recently when the trusted 'face' behind that left her position as president. We do give to Diakonia because we know the ladies-Claudia and Susan who work there and know their hearts are in all the right places.
To us it's all about who oversees the money donated and how they disperse it. If we trust them, then we give.
I have heard story after story of "people in need" double and triple dipping - getting toys, gifts and food from multiple charities in the same year. Why don't these organizations get together and screen these people? It is disgusting that this is allowed. When they show up draped in gold jewelry in their late model tricked out vehicles - do they really need free toys and food? It is a values decision that some of these charities end up "supporting" by continuing to give to these abusers of the system.
No one is holding a gun to anyone's head to watch WBOC. A very simple solution is turn it OFF.
7:53, I can't stomach all the gays on 47.
I made the decision a while back to check out the differences in those organizations who are suppose to be helping those who have needs. I wanted to be sure my donations were being used as I wanted them to be so I visited the Salvation Army, Halo, and the Christian Shelter. I decided to donate to Halo for several reasons but the main one was they have ongoing programs that give their clients hope and help them to pull themselves up. Their doors are opened to feed the hungry and they have a shelter for mothers and their children. Halo also helps itself by having gardens to self provide for their food needs. I was impressed by the entire program of Halo.
Joe you need to start doing your newscast again. Then no one will watch WBOC anymore.
I really find all of you to be very petty and childish. If you don't like the station, simply don't watch it. If you are seriously interested in where funding goes, then go find out. Go donate and volunteer your time and your apparent book keeping and accounting skills and make a change. I'm sure most of you could actually care less, your just spouting off.
The saying goes, if you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
Bless Our Children is the only good thing that WBOC does. Do not deny children who otherwise would not have a very good Christmas whether they be from families who are on welfare or just making ends meet. It is about the children, not the parents or businesses trying to get their name on TV. Where is your Christmas Spirit? I will donate to them as well as many other charities.
IRS says charities only have to give 5%,that's why it's best to help people one on one.
I don't mind either station, but whenever a commercial comes on for Holly Kia I just want to walk out of the room. There is no need for these men to yell throughout the entire commercial. And they usually have such outlandish outfits on, that I never remember anything about what they are advertising. I know it's off the subject....thanks for listening.... LOL
12:06 - I find that hard to believe. Provide us with proof or a source to substantiate your claim.
Also, is WBOC not giving 100% of the $$$ they are receiving to the children.
Lastly, let's face it people...WBOC has selfish ulterior motives and is boastingly patting themselves on the back with Bless Our Children while promoting businesses in hopes of luring them to advertise. They are a terrible mews station....worst in MD, and that is a fact people! Can you imagine if all MD news stations took up most of their air time doing what they do?
10:00AM right on! I've never seen a bigger bunch of grinches. I myself don't love having to hear the names read over and over, so instead change the channel or find something productive to do. This is for charity and if businesses get their names read, so what? Many, many children will have something to open on Christmas day because of it. Reading these comments reminds me what a depressing world this is coming to, when you can't find anything better to bitch about than the local news station collecting money for charity.
2:19 - it is for a good cause, but it is a NEWS STATION, not a Charity Channel.
Most of the companies that contribute to Bless Our Children do it SOLELY to "try" to PROMOTE their business...PERIOD.
WBOC's news station needs to broadcast NEWS.
1:00,IRS code section 4942
Who's the young guy who does the chopper 16 bit every night. His sport coat buttons are screaming for relief. He doesn't wear a tie and looks like a slob. He also wears the same outfit every single night.
most of the money is going to your local haitian community.you know the ones that work in the chicken processing plants and that are illegal aliens paying no income tax and living 8-12-15 to a small apartment of house.yep ther lil illegal offspring will be playing the xbox on xmas day also they give them cash with no accountabilty were its spent and these ppl cannot even speak english
All the gays on 47? LOL WHAT? Have you ever had a conversation with any of them face to face? They have girlfriends, cupcake.
Im surprised no one has mentioned what a clown the WBOC manager is.
It is hard enough for small businesses in this town to get a leg up in this crappy economy, and people complain about why they donate to get their names read? Apparently nobody on this site owns a small business. My husband does and you better believe we would donate $1000 if we could afford it. You are donating to charity and promoting your business. What person in their right mind wouldn't do it?
If you are poor and white and working hard just to make ends meet for your family, don't expect anything from Bless Your Children. It won't be there. If your black or Mexican and on welfare and food stamps, you will be
"Blessed"
The only thing I can add to this conversation is that the nightly news in the afternoon is more then 75% about national news and not local at all, hell if I want national news, I'll wait until 6:30 and see the national news. I'm looking for local news, and not donations at all. I have stopped watching both 16, and 47 for this reason. I will however watch 16 for the national news and that's it!
I change the channel each time the WBOC blessed advertisers list is read.
Years ago, while in the Navy, I had the occasion solicit some help from the Red Cross. Receiving no answer I contacted the Salvation Army and had my answers with in a couple day.
Tell me one person or family you know of that is the recipient of bless our children. I have lived on the shore for more than 20 years and I have never heard of one and I volunteer a lot.
To listen to Hammond say there are so many children that will not open gifts on the shore is a load of crap. $200,000.00 worth? And I have not heard of one family.
Heck, even the salvation army is set up[ you have to be on a list weeks in advance or they will not provide anything for you. These families who take utter advantage of these organizations will never get back on their feet when they know everyone else will take care of them instead. So when your truly in need and you feel so ashamed to go there for help they simply turn you away because you didn't get on the list two months ago.
WBOC not the salvation army will not see a penny from me. When my church tells me there's a family in need I'll be there for them.
My church collects contributions and toys for needy children. I trust my church more than Bless Our Children. God blesses the humble giver and not those who wish to be recognized just for advertising sake. Pride is one of the worst sins.
Last year and this year we have all forsaken gift giving in return for just a nice dinner and fellowship. Since most of us are working for less, there is very little left over for gifts. That is a luxury when you need to put food on the table and keep the lights on. To hell with Bless Our Children. They are not there for the working poor!
I have given money in the past to WBOC but stopped doing so a few years ago. Ringing the bell is far more rewarding and when I'm done I put a hundred dollar bill in the bucket. I don't need my name mentioned on tv. Merry Christmas
Why are there no charities anymore to donate the majority of their money to the actual needy person? Its now a business with staff, with overheads, and real volunteers only exist in the armed services. The worst thing to be in our nation right now is a poor white married male, who has no one who answers for them. Hey BOC, why don't you show a happy story of where the money goes for everyone that you have run begging for money?
I agree with most of the comments...often times the people receiving things from these organizations are already receiving every government benefit possible. The people who are struggling to survive without benefits (because they make $1 too much) are the ones that need help. The other side of this, for me, is that many, many folks just don't have any extra to give thanks to the economy. I truly wish the Bless Our Children campaign would stop whining about not getting enough money! They've gotten A LOT of money this year, and I know first hand that many families receive from multiple organizations and probably get more for their kids' Christmas than those of us donating. Some talk about a "cheerful giver"... what about the "cheerful RECEIVER" - quit whining, WBOC, and cut the begging short on the news! I also wonder where all that money really goes...do they just give the money to people, or do they purchase gifts for the children with the money?
5:26 i don't disagree that most charities imo are scams. If I'm not mistaken a charity only has to use 5% of what's donated toward a charitable cause. The rest can be kept as profit . I could be wrong on that statement I'm not sure. either way if the man that owns good will is keeping 2 million a year to himself I can't say I blame him. Good will must rake in 100s of millions plus's every store he open creates jobs for the area puts cheep clothing and other goods on the market that people could not afford other wise. if I'm not mistaken good will even provides a job assistance. So if one man owns all that does what he does and only takes a 2mill once a year good for him
Many great questions, many great comments. With any luck many eyes will start to open up and with any luck certain and important questions will be answered.
Liberals will come back and say comments like, it's Christmas, lighten up. Or, they're doing a great thing, why are you complaining.
I do not feel these are complaints. I simply feel this is the very first time someone has challenged the ongoing protocol of these mentioned alleged non profits.
One comment truly caught my attention more than others. Just who are the recipients of this $200,000.00 worth of fundraising. I too have never heard of a Family who has been the recipient of such giving and trust me, I get around and I hear a LOT of things out there every day. I by no means am challenging WBOC, AT ALL. I'm simply agreeing with that particular comment.
I have seen for many years the Salvation Army line their gym floor with thousands upon thousands of gifts and meals to feed a ton of Families. I'm sorry but I do not recall a single image of WBOC doing the same.
Mind you, I'm VERY confident ALL of that money goes to charity, but which ones and or to whom?
It's only a good thing if the results are in fact what those people who make donations believe it is going to. in this case WBOC states it is to put GIFTS UNDER THE TREE FOR ALL CHILDREN ON DELMARVA WHO CAN'T AFFORD THEM.
I'd like to see the list as to where that money is going because I simply cannot believe there are that many children on the Shore who are shy $200,000.00 worth of gifts above and beyond what ALL of the other very charitable organizations are providing like the Salvation Army and Church's on the Shore.
I must admit, (obviously) I am just as curious as most of you are as well. If they say the money is to go to put presents under the tree, let's see it.
Exactly who benefits from the money received? Is it public information?
Just wondering, as they spend alot of time advertising it, and alot of donations come in? Just wondering where does it go?
Thank you.
A good place to donate is the Life Crisis Center. This group provides counseling at no charge for the ones involved in domestic violence and sexual assault. They also have a shelter to keep these women and children safe. That's where my $ goes.
Joe, I volunteer at a charity that gives 100% of their contributions to the families they help, with the exception of postage, paper and ink. They receive a donation from Bless Our Children and are very grateful to have it.
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