The Crashers rock WDRB Mornings to raise money for Jude's Jingle Tree

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It was a very special Christmas party for Jude's Jingle Tree on WDRB Mornings on Friday.

The Crashers joined the show to help raise money for the Home of the Innocents. Mark Maxwell, Max Maxwell, Shane Eisenberg, Jesse Vest, Howard Gittli, Geoff Gittli and Rodney Wurtele offered last summer to help Jude Redfield with his annual support of the children at the home, and the idea became reality on Friday.

Even with a winter storm overnight, the guys were at the station bright and early with Santa Lincoln to play Christmas favorites including "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," "All I Want For Christmas is You," and "I Saw Mommy Kissin' Santa Claus." Mark Maxwell even sang a special version of "Hey, Jude" with lyrics about Jingle Tree.

IMAGES | Christmas with The Crashers on WDRB Mornings for Jude's Jingle Tree

The band was up early and rockin' with the morning team on a very snowy morning.

The best part was inviting WDRB Mornings viewers to take part in the festivities. Tumbleweed brought out free Tex-Mex food and donated $1,500 to Jingle Tree, and Scooter's Coffee was out to caffeinate the crowd with warm drinks.

There was even a snowball fight with "Buddy the Elf" and the morning team.

Monetary donations can still be made to Jude's Jingle Tree through Friday, Dec. 19. That's when Jude will hang the last of the ornaments on the three Jingle Trees and have the final total for this year's donations to Home of the Innocents.

Make a donation!

We're asking again this year for contributions to help support the Home of the Innocents. Click the graphic below to donate online or use the QR code to make a monetary donation in any amount!

Jingle Tree 2025 Donate Link

The History of Jude's Jingle Tree

Jude's Jingle Tree started in 2017 with an idea to just collect ornaments, decorate the station tree and then donate the decorations to the Home of the Innocents.

By 2018, Jingle Tree started collecting donations for HOI and raised $6,750. In 2019, the total was about the same collecting $7,000, and in 2020 the total went to $7,879, and by 2021, the total grew to $12,793.

But Jude wanted to do more, and so did our viewers. In 2022, the donation raised by Jingle Tree went up to $98,359! In 2023, it was $105,000.

In 2024, Jude Redfield and WDRB Mornings presented a check to the Home of the Innocents for a record $225,022.99!

About the Home of the Innocents:

Established in 1880, Home of the Innocents enriches the lives of children and families with hope, health, and happiness. Programs include residential and community-based behavioral health services, therapeutic foster care and adoption services, supportive services for homeless young adults, and long-term care for medically complex or terminally ill children.

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