THUNDER FUNDERS

Thunder is made possible through the financial support of four major sponsors - Caesars, E.ON U.S., Meijer and UPS - and a growing network of McDonald's Thunder Funders.

The Thunder Funder program, a grassroots fundraising campaign, was developed in 2000 to involve community members and all types of businesses that wanted to help support the show. On March 9, 2005, the first-ever televised Thunder Funder drive was held to encourage the public to get more involved in THEIR show. The one-day televised fund-raiser was aired with focused coverage by the affiliates of the four major networks -- WAVE, WHAS, WLKY and WDRB. Those stations - along with WFTE, WBKI, WYCS and MetroTV - promoted the drive. The 2005 Thunder Funder campaign raised more than $70,000 to help fund the show.

In 2006, McDonald's Restaurants of Kentuckiana became the title sponsor of the Thunder Funder Program. The inaugural McDonald's Thunder Funder program raised more than $140,000 to help support Thunder - $92,520 from restaurant sales purchases and $58,000 through a televised campaign held in the spring. Small business contributions were received and individual incentive packages were offered during the campaign, and contributions were also accepted online at www.mcdonaldsthunderfunder.com. In 2007, the program raised more than $215,000 to help support the show - including more than $71,000 contributed through commemorative cup sales at 93 area McDonald's restaurants. McDonald's returns as the title sponsor of the program in 2008.

"It's important for the community to support the organizations that are helping provide this day of free entertainment," said Mike Berry, KDF President and CEO. "Anyone can help show their support by wearing a Pegasus Pin, purchasing Thunder merchandise, but most importantly making sure the Thunder parties you patronize are doing their part to support the show. Make sure they are a McDonald's Thunder Funder too. It takes a whole community to make this event happen."

 

For a complete list of Thunder Funders, visit www.mcdonaldsthunderfunder.org.