Contributed by interns Lily Burke and James Barnes
As Preston & Steve Show interns during this fall and winter, we have collected a lot of memorable moments these past few months. The most action-packed week, of course, had to be Camp Out for Hunger. For our time working with the crew leading up until Camp Out, we heard all about what was in store, and how much fun the week would be.
Even with the bar set high, we were blown away with how much you supported WMMR’s fight to battle hunger. Although the week was loaded with fun and surprises, here are our top ten moments from our very first Camp Out for Hunger:
2. Mini Hoop Madness
On day two of the campout, Preston & Steve hosted a challenge between the Philly sportscasters we know and love. Nick subbed in for Jim Jackson for the play by play of the Mini Hoops Madness competition. At the top of the roster was Philly Sportscasting icon, Michael Barkann, who came out to the hoop trying to beat his runner-up standing from last year’s campout. Jason Martinez from Fox 29 made his appearance prefacing that he had not played hoops in years. Matt O’Donnell from 6abc joined the competition, attempting to redeem his performance last year that was just about last in the standings. His score stood at the top of the leaderboard with 58 points, when John Clark of NBC was put into the game. As the reigning champion of the annual competition, Clark scored 55, placing him in the final head-to-head round against O’Donnell. In the sudden death round, Matt got off to a slow start, but picked the pace up after getting his groove, finishing with a score of 32. John Clark, on the other hand, was consistent throughout his turn, and reclaimed his champion title with 44 points.
3. Can Drop with Robert Irvine and Casey
Friend of the program and celebrity chef, Robert Irvine of course needed to pay a visit to the campout down at Xfinity Live. Irvine is an advocate for, and works with Philabundance to help end food insecurity. A few weeks back when he was in town, he and Philabunance made food for US veterans and for the homeless. He tells Preston and Steve, “food is the international language of hope and love.” The Robert Irvine Foundation donated ten thousand dollars to the cause! Before his pledge, though, Casey and Robert hopped onto the Can Drop Challenge. The two of them were asked trivia questions as they rose up and up on the amusement park ride. They played as representatives of audience members. Once they reached the top of the tower, their platform freefalled down back to the earth. A thrilling sight to see, but also comical to watch Robert Irvine shouting “Crockpot! Crockpot!” as he rides his way into the sky. Casey shut Robert out, with a final tally of 8 to zero.
4. Return to Dust Unplugged
L.A. natives, Return to Dust paid us a visit on December 5th during Camp Out day 3. The band, including the son of legendary Guns ‘N’ Roses guitarist; Slash, put a unique and acoustic take on their new track “Belly Up.” During their interview the gang revealed their humble beginnings as a couple of friends growing up in a small town in Texas before heading out to L.A. to live out their rock ‘n’ roll dreams and being introduced to drummer London Hudson by their producer. Matty, Graham, Seb, and London’s performance offered a raw and fresh moment to the Camp Out and made for a wonderful and memorable start to day 3.
5. Preston shares the Nifty Fifty’s milkshake with the crowd
Possibly the best milkshake you’ll ever taste comes out of the campaign collab with Preston and Steve and Nifty Fifty’s. Gingerbread Blast is our favorite treat, especially when sales were directly donated to the Camp Out. Preston is surely the biggest fan of the milkshake and chose to spread the love to the listeners in the audience. While chatting with the Nifty Fifty crew, he invited the crowd to come up to the stage, and one-by-one, poured the milkshake directly into theirs. Little did he know that Nifty Fifty’s brought three hundred milkshakes to hand out to folks joining the crew at Xfinity Live. We thank Nifty Fifty’s for the five-thousand-dollar donation to Philabundance.
8. Gritty Stopping by
All day on Tuesday, Casey Boy sported a T-shirt with the crazy Flyer’s mascot’s face, Gritty. Preston and Steve spoke with the General Manager of Comcast Spectacor and the Wells Fargo Center, Michael Sulkes. They briefly discussed new renovations to the facility, as well as other up and coming things in the area that will enhance Philadelphia culture. Michael gave out the “Flyers Santa Sack Package” including Flyers, and Wings tickets, and signed memorabilia from some athletes. To help Mike give this package out, the city’s beloved fluffy orange monster, Gritty, busted into the camp out party. In his classic fashion, he came into the scene spazzing and dancing about. He got the crowd cheering on his command before he got a couple audience members to join him in a game. Preston and Steve put Gritty up to a trivia challenge, where correct answers would grant listeners prizes. It was a blast watching the non-verbal Gritty squeak through his responses, and his animated reactions. At the end of their visit, Gritty and Mike surprised the folks at the camp out with one hundred free tickets to the Toyota Big Five classic, hosted by the Wells Fargo Center!
