La Esperanza’s Third Annual Radiothon will be held on Friday, Dec., 4 as a way to raise money for the many causes they support.

The idea came about more than three years ago when the late executive director and Kevin Andrade, general manager of Maxima 900, were discussing ways to raise funds for La Esperanza.

“Kevin is a La Esperanza board member and he offered us his services with the radio station,” La Esperanza Interim Executive Director, Crystal Timmons-Underwood, said.

Timmons-Underwood says each year the event has grown in popularity and the funds have almost doubled from the first year to the second year. The organization is hoping to raise even more this year, particularly to focus on their Victims Services department.

According to the organization, for almost 20 years, part of La Esperanza’s mission has been helping women and their children escape the cycle of violence. La Esperanza is available to those in need to help them take the first steps toward independence.

The organization’s fundraising goal this year is to raise $100,000 to support their programs which focus on community education, advocacy and support services.

“Last year we were fortunate to have Discover Bank come in with a match grant,” Timmons-Underwood said.

This year, a friend of La Esperanza who wishes to remain anonymous will be matching all donations, meaning every dollar donated will be multiplied by two.

The organization will be advertising all day long with a full staff and open phone lines throughout the day. Kevin Andrade will be speaking on-air, as well as Senator Carper, Pastor Israel Figueroa and several board members.

According to La Esperanza, in the past year alone, the group has worked with about 12,000 people helping clients get work permits and jobs, purchase homes or cars, start businesses, and obtain citizenship.

La Esperanza offers wrap around services through their three key departments; family empowerment, immigration, and victims services.

To donate, you can call La Esperanza,visit them at their Georgetown, Del. location or visit their new website, Laesperanzacenter.org.