ENID — KOCO-TV returned home to Enid Monday as the station kicked off its 2011 Helping Hands Tour.
KOCO began as KGEO in Enid in 1954 as the only full-power VHF station in northern Oklahoma. The station moved to Oklahoma City in 1958 and adopted its current name.
The Helping Hands Tour featured anchors Paul Folger and Jessica Schambach, chief meteorologist Rick Mitchell and sports director Bob Irzyk. The tour began at a lunch with Enid Rotary Club. Following the lunch, station personnel moved to ABC Park, where they participated in a Miracle League baseball game.
The Miracle League is a baseball league for disabled children and adults. Members of the KOCO crew each paired up with a Miracle League participant as they took their turn at bat and played in the field.
Tricia Mitchell, 4RKids program director, said everyone enjoyed the Miracle League game.
“It was a huge success. It made the kids feel really important and special,” Mitchell said. “It gives exposure to the nonprofit organizations and what we do.”
The on-air personalities also gave back to the community by assisting First Church of the Nazarene in painting over graffiti in the community.
They then visited Public Library of Enid and Garfield County, where they read aloud during children’s story hour.
Michelle Mears, library director, said it was great to have the crew visit.
“They were all very good storytellers,” Mears said. “Storytelling is an art and they have mastered it.”
After storytime, the crew began its live 5 p.m. broadcast from Humphrey Heritage Village at Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. Hundreds of spectators watched and joined in during the broadcast.
Dave Kennedy, curator of collections at the museum, said the event brings a lot of positive attention to the area.
“The exposure Enid has received all day will be enough to draw people into the area and spend money,” he said.
KOCO also broadcast the 6 p.m. news live. Spectators were asked to donate nonperishable food items to Horn of Plenty. Love’s Country Store, Chesapeake Energy, Call Okie and McDonald’s had booths set up at the event giving out free items ranging from sunglasses to frozen lemonade to beef jerky. AdvancePierre Foods provided free hot dogs and chips to the crowd.
Enid resident Carolynne Blankenship was among the crowd during the live broadcast. She said the event was a great way to promote the area.
“It shows a lot of people that are very proud of their town,” Blankenship said.
For others, the event was a chance to see the Humphrey Heritage Village and other attractions.
“This event has rekindled my interest and pride in the ... Heritage Center,” spectator Kathleen Maupin said.
The live broadcasts featured state news as well as Enid-centered news.
Becky Hodgen, city of Enid director of marketing and public relations, said the live broadcasts help instill pride in Enid residents.
“Enid is known for its generous spirit, and this event really shows it off,” she said.
Marcy Jarrett, director of Enid Convention and Visitors Bureau, went along with the KOCO crew the entire day.
“The value of this event is something that goes beyond tonight,” Jarrett said. “It shows the entire state what Enid has to offer through a trusted source.”
The crew was transported around by the Transit, the city of Enid’s public transportation system.
“We have made some wonderful relationships we can carry forward in the future,” Jarrett said. “It has been great for Enid in so many ways.”
The Helping Hands Tour continues throughout this week as KOCO makes stops in Weatherford, Ponca City, Chickasha and Piedmont.
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