Late at night, starving children, homeless veterans and unwanted animals come out. Commercials showing the destitute, the afflicted and the in-need are broadcast in between regularly scheduled programming on network television -- to empty living rooms, night owls and people who can't sleep.
Some viewers feel the beginnings of sympathy during the 30-second spots, but before those feelings take root and turn into action, the images are often off the screen, and the toll-free number gone. John Marsh wanted to provide a louder voice.
Marsh is the creator of a non-profit TV station on Dish Network called the Starfish Network. It's a channel he built for programming that inspires people to take interest in their fellow men. It's a place where old public service announcements live on, where celebrities promote causes instead of themselves, and where people who want to know how to help can tune into.
"I noticed that there was a food channel and a golf channel and a history channel, and I really felt there ought to be a charity channel," Marsh said.
The Starfish Network broadcasts news and information about charitable causes 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More than 500 charities are represented, at no cost to the organizations. "Our product is our airtime, and we give it away," Marsh said.
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For more information or to watch live or archived programming, visit www.starfishnetwork.org.
