Al Roker Sets Record While FundRaising Online With Crowdrise

Al Roker sets a new Guinness World Record for completing the longest continuous live weather broadcast. The 34-hour, record-breaking weathercast known as “Rokerthon” helped raise over $75,000 for the United Service Organization (USO) and other charities Al Roker supports.

Roker is raising the money online with the help of Crowdrise, an innovative, cost-effective online fundraising website for personal fundraisers, non-profit fundraising, and event fundraising.

Roker sets the record with his “Rokerthon,” a 34-hour broadcast that breaks the previous record set by Norwegian meteorologist Eli Kari Gjengedal, a 33-hour live broadcast that took place in September.

Roker told the New York Daily News he actually did a longer continuous weathercast.

“I was on the air for 48 hours during Hurricane Sandy. That’s where you really feel the adrenaline.”

Al Roker finished his Rokerthon broadcast on the Today show Friday morning, a few minutes after 8 a.m.

Roker thanked his team and Mother Nature; the Arctic air dropped temperatures to record lows, and snowstorms across parts of the country helped to give him a lot to report.

Some free time allowed Al to do his rendition of Dionne Warwick’s, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose.” He also did his impression of Darth Vader.

During one of his bathroom breaks, Al inadvertently left his microphone on. Roker jokingly commented on the moment.

“Live stream has a new meaning,”

According to Today, Vice President Joe Biden called Roker and had this to say.

“All that money for the USO! Thanks buddy! But you should have spoken to me earlier about live mics. I could have told you something.”

Al Roker sets the new record with “Rokerthon,” his uninterrupted live weathercast, but he also enlightens viewers across the nation and other countries about his goal of raising funds for the USO.

Roker is using the non-profit fund-raising website, Crowdrise, to help him raise money for his charities.

Al Roker sets record and shares his thoughts, feelings, and goals.

“Freedom comes at a cost. The people who help pay that cost are the servicemen and women of our Armed Forces and their families. Here at home and all across the globe, they protect us. They serve us. They keep our freedom secure. My goal is to take part in that tradition by bringing some laughs and smiles to our troops stationed abroad with some amazing entertainers like Jay Leno, Kevin Eubanks, Craig Robinson, and Iliza Shlesinger. We are taking part in the TODAY USO COMEDY TOUR.”

Al Roker sets record, and in the meantime, he was able to raise donations totaling over $75,000 with “Rokerthon.” Many people are very thankful for his effort and accomplishment; they share in his dedication to his charitable cause.

[Photo courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org]