LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- WDRB Mornings presented their donation check to Home of the Innocents on Friday after closing out the seventh year of Jude's Jingle Tree - and as always, this year was one to remember!

Our generous viewers donated more than $225,000 to benefit the nonprofit that serves the most vulnerable.

Jude and the WDRB Mornings crew started at the end of November opening up ornaments and donations on the show and hanging them on their trees from Robert's Family Farm.

Last year, Jude and his team of merry elves raised a record $105,000 for the Home of the Innocents. A check of $98,359 was first presented, but right as the check was presented, Chris Coyle with Coyle Chevrolet stepped up and made the donation check a total of $105,000 in honor of Mike Coyle Sr.

This year, that record was absolutely shattered! WDRB presented a check to the Home of the Innocents for $225,022.99!

IMAGES | Jude's Jingle Tree presents record-shattering donation check to Home of the Innocents

For the first time, Jude brought not one, but two trees back to WDRB Headquarters. One tree was almost 18 feet tall! Jude had plans of filling both trees with viewers' ornaments, and he did just that.

Throughout the Jingle Tree season, several businesses and organizations visited WDRB Mornings to present their donations and ornaments, including French Lick Springs Hotel, Monticello Bank, Zeppa's, Southern Trades, Tom Sondergeld Plumbing, and more.

Zeon Chemicals surprised Jude and his Jingle Tree elves with a record-breaking single donation of $25,354, which was raised by the corporation throughout the entire year.

A number of churches around Kentuckiana had fun with a little friendly competition and challenged each other with increasing donations. St. Aloysius Catholic Church started it with a $1,000 donation, then St. Gabriel's Catholic Church accepted the challenge and donated $1,001. Gospel Missionary Church and New Morning Star Baptist Church joined in on a $1,100 donation, followed by another $1,100 donation from Holy Family Catholic Church.

Charlestown Fire Department brought the uniqueness factor this year, bringing a firetruck to WDRB Mornings and extending their ladder into the weather garden and all the way up to the tree to hang their ornaments!

Jude also introduced the Jingle Tree Concert Series, where we got to hear music right here in the weather garden from several bands and artists, including The Crashers, JD Shelburne, Elvis and Pastor Sam, the Louisville Orchestra, and more!

WDRB Media and Block Communications was able to donate $5,000, and Jingle Tree sponsor, Scooter's Coffee, also donated $5,000 from their holiday drink sales.

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. 

Related stories: 

Copyright 2024. WDRB Media. All rights reserved.