HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — WSAZ NewsChannel 3 announces the WSAZ Children’s Charities recipients for 2009. This year the Board of Directors chose 35 children’s organizations to receive donations.

WSAZ Children’s Charities was created in 1997 to benefit at-risk children.

The charity, administrated by an appointed board of directors, offers assistance to many social and charitable organizations throughout the 33 county viewing area.

The recipients range from academics and the arts, to shelters for troubled teens and medical aid for children of impoverished families. WSAZ believes providing monetary assistance where it is needed most makes a positive and meaningful impact on local organizations who work with children in our communities.

On Saturday, Dec. 5 WSAZ hosted its 18th Annual Breakfast with Santa.

Parents and children were invited to share breakfast with WSAZ personalities and visit with Santa.

The breakfast was held at two locations at New Baptist Church in Huntington and at Christ Church United Methodist in Charleston. More than $2,700 was raised from the breakfast benefited WSAZ Children’s Charities.

WSAZ Children’s Charities would also like to thank the DIRECTV Huntington Call Center, White Way Launderers and others for their generous donations.

Whether your corporation or you personally would like to give to WSAZ Children’s Charities, please know that your gift will benefit our most valuable resource, our children. Your donation will help insure the continued support of children so much in need, and secure a brighter future for us all.

Please make checks payable to WSAZ Children’s Charities, and send to WSAZ Children’s Charities, 645 Fifth Ave., Huntington, WV 25701. Documentation of your generosity is available for tax purposes

Charities chosen for this year’s endowments are: For Jamie’s Sake- Ashland, KY, Aracoma Story, Gods’ Appalachian Partnership – Floyd Co., KY, Serenity House Gallipolis, Gods’ Net Mulberry Center, Pomeroy, Chesapeake Early Childhood Education Program, Fairland Early Childhood Education Program, Wayne Public Library, Ceredo-Kenova Public Library, Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind, Beverly Hills Middle School, Fairview Family Resource Center, The Catherine Newton Youth Services Center, River Valley Child Development Services, Cabell-Wayne Healthy Families America, The Goshen Project – Logan, WV, Appalachian Center for Equality, Logan County Child Advocacy Center, We Can, Big Sandy Child Advocacy Center, Christian Appalachian Project, Children’s Therapy Clinic, Kanawha Institute for Social Research and Action, Appalachian Reading Center, Gallia County Snack Pack Program, Woodland Centers, LAUNCH, Mason County Samaritan Fund, Sojourners, Richwood Library, Thomas Memorial Hospital Foundation, Applied Behavioral Learning Center, Portsmouth Area Ladies, Stepping Stone House Portsmouth, Stephen Hunter Fund Portsmouth.