17th Annual John DeBella Veterans Radiothon Raises $222,749 to Benefit Philadelphia Veterans

Some rain is on the horizon so we moved the WMGK Veterans Radiothon indoors! Here is radio hall of famer John DeBella working his magic on behalf of @VM_Center. Call us at 800-678-9645 or donate for our veterans at https://t.co/9d7dutsNFq! pic.twitter.com/r9KdOVSvui

— Joseph Brooks (@JosephBrooksPA) June 16, 2023

102.9 WMGK-FM presented the 17th Annual John DeBella Veterans Radiothon on Friday, June 16, 2023, from 6am to 6pm. The event raised an all-time high of $222,749 to benefit the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service Center (VMC).

Throughout the broadcast, DeBella encouraged listeners to make call-in donations via 1800-678-WMGK (9645) or secure online donations via www.wmgk.com. In addition, listeners were able to participate in a series of online eBay auctions on the station website to bid on Bruce Springsteen pit tickets, a pair of three-day passes for the Power Trip Festival, Guns N’ Roses VIP Experience tickets, autographed items from Taylor Swift, Bryce Harper, and more.

One of the highlights of the radiothon came when ACME Market donated $30,000 to the VMC as part of their support of the event.

John DeBella Celebrates 30 Years in Philly Radio

WMGK Celebrates with a Fancy "To-Do" for John DeBella

John DeBella the morning host at Classic Rock 102.9 WMGK is celebrating 30 years on the air in our beloved City of Brotherly Love brother, by inviting listeners to his "30th Anniversary DeBella DeBall." More on that at the station's website.

In an interview with Philly.com, DeBella shared some of his thoughts on becoming a Philadelphian.

"Most of my normal-life things [like his barber and dentist] were still in New York," he explained. "And then we had [the] blizzard (in 1983). In the middle of it, I walked to Jim's Steaks on South Street, which was five blocks from my house, to get a cheesesteak, and walked back. On the way back in the blizzard, with a cheesesteak getting cold in my hands, I said to myself, 'You're a Philadelphian. If you're willing to walk 10 blocks in a blizzard for a cheesesteak, you're a Philadelphian. You're not a New Yorker any longer.' "