For 25 years, the WZPL Smiley Morning Show and Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana have teamed up for a 36-hour Request-A-Thon. Each December, the holiday listening tradition happens on 99.5 zpl (WZPL-FM) in Indianapolis, Indiana. Generous sponsors support the program, and listeners request songs for donations. This past year’s event raised a record $1.07M, bringing the total amount raised in 25 years to more than $10M!
The WZPL Make-A-Wish Request-A-Thon wouldn’t be possible without DJ Dave Smiley, who has hosted it for the past 19 years. During the whirlwind day-and-a-half on-air, Smiley takes calls from donors, engages sponsors, performs interviews, tells inspiring wish stories, and keeps the hundreds of people who answer the phones and thousands of people listening, smiling.
I am always inspired by the strength of the kids and their families, and I'm always
amazed at the generosity of Hoosiers.
A special thanks to our 2021 WZPLÂ Make-A-Wish Request-A-Thon sponsors; Nucor Steel, Ingram Micro, R&M Electric, Amazon, Klay South and USA Upstar, whose unexpected $325,000 donation inspired countless others to give.
Here’s to another 25 years of playin’ tunes and granting wishes!