<p>"In 1981 I developed the business model and financial model for what would become the Children's Miracle Network. The plan called for a national telethon with a network of children's hospitals, and a network of local television stations in every market in North America. The format would involve a 21-hour live telethon broadcast from the Osmond studios. The Osmond family's support was critical. The format was a 45-minute national segment, and 15-minute local segments."\n"The national segment would include powerful up close and personal miracle stories of children every hour, who had been treated in member hospitals. Local news personalities would tell the hospitals'stories and solicit telephone pledges. National corporate sponsors would be recruited to conduct fundraising campaigns in each local market. National special event fundraisers would be developed and executed by the hospitals. The Children's Miracle Network would be base on three founding principles:\n- Kids Come First -100% of the Funds Raised Would Remain Local to Benefit the Hospitals -Always Operate with Dignity and Class, Never Exploiting Sick and Injured Kids\n"I took the concept to my business partner, Joe Lake, who had a background in the entertainment industry. He was in. We then went to Mike Gursey, John Schneider's agent, met with John and he was in. Our last objective was Marie Osmond. She loved it and became our fourth co-founder.\n"Joe, Marie, and John worked tirelessly recruiting every major entertainer and athlete of the time to appear and perform on the telethon. John and Marie joined me and Joe, traveling to recruit children's hospitals. We began recruiting television stations in every market. We traveled to many corporate headquarters presenting sponsorship opportunities. The pledge that 100% stayed local, was unprecedented in all of philanthropy and was well received.\n"We eventually built the biggest telethon ever. The entire effort was guided by the Board of Directors providing vision, leadership, and a direction model for governance." -Mike Shannon This is the story.</p>

You Gotta Be Kidding: The Story of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals

Mick Shannon

Brigham Distributing

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Mick Shannon. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Mick Shannon

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Mick Shannon. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

You Gotta Be Kidding: The Story of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals