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National Association of Broadcasters

Stories About Neighbors in Need

Cumulus Detroit Radiothon Raises $1.6 Million to Combat Hunger

Date Posted: 5/15/2024

The 37th Annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon from Cumulus Media’s 760 WJR in Detroit raised $1,637,238 to help The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit combat hunger and homelessness in their community. “For the past 14 years, it has been an honor to partner with and support The Salvation Army’s mission of Doing the Most Good,” said Cumulus Detroit Vice President/Market Manager Steve Finateri. “The generous donations from our listeners will serve as a beacon of hope to thousands of metro Detroiters in need, providing a safe place to sleep for the homeless and nutritious meals for the hungry.”

Sinclair Stations Raise $2 Million for Souper Bowl of Caring

Date Posted: 5/10/2024

More than a dozen Sinclair Broadcast Group TV stations across the country participated in this year’s 34th Souper Bowl of Caring, collecting food and money to donate to local charities fighting food and nutrition insecurity. The stations raised nearly $2 million, part of more than $193 million raised to combat hunger since the event began in 1990.

Wisconsin Station Collects 1.1 Million Diapers for Families in Need

Date Posted: 3/4/2024

Funds and donations totaling more than 1.1 million diapers were collected during the fourth annual WMTV Diaper Drive from Gray Television’s WMTV in Madison, Wis. “This initiative transcends the mere provision of diapers; it plays a crucial role in supporting children’s development, assisting families in achieving financial stability, and enabling parents to pursue consistent employment,” said Founder and CEO of the Village Diaper Bank Megan Sollenberger. “Changing diapers is more than a daily task—it’s a life-changing act. We are thrilled to continue making this profound impact together.”

“Our viewers really came through during WMTV’s Diaper Drive,” said WMTV 15 Regional Vice President/General Manager Don Vesely. “Megan and her team at the Village Diaper Bank work tirelessly to build a foundation that allows sponsors and viewers to make a difference in our community. It is inspirational when you see our community step-up and make a difference.”

Wisconsin Station Raises Over $166,000 for Neighbors in Need

Date Posted: 2/13/2024

Gray television’s WSAW in Wausau, Wis., raised $166,834 during the 2023 Share Your Holidays campaign, bringing the project’s 21-year total to $1,489,576. “I know 2023 was a tough economic year for a lot of people,” says Jeff Thelen, WSAW news anchor and campaign coordinator. “Still, there was incredible generosity shown again for Share Your Holidays. Our donations were up by more than $10,000 over 2022. It’s not surprising, because the support we’ve gotten for this effort for more than 20 years now has always been amazing.”

WISN 12 Raises $152,000 to Feed the Hungry

Date Posted: 1/10/2024

Hearst Television’s WISN 12 in Milwaukee, Wis., raised more than $152,000 in the 12th annual Food for Families Food Drive. “For more than a decade, people have come out in droves to support those in need in our community. It’s awe-inspiring to witness each year,” said Jan Wade, president and general manager of WISN 12. “We’re so proud of this initiative with Hunger Task Force and grateful for the viewers and companies who are making sure families don’t go hungry.”

KDKA Turkey Fund Raises $855,935 in 42nd Year

Date Posted: 1/10/2024

CBS owned-and-operated KDKA in Pittsburgh raised $855,935 for the Great Pittsburg Community Food Bank with their annual Turkey Fund, which has been running for an impressive 42 years. “Community is vitally important to the residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania,” said Chris Cotugno, KDKA General Manager. “Since 1982, our viewers have demonstrated their commitment to the people in their community by donating to the KDKA-TV Turkey Fund and ensuring that their neighbors in need have a nourishing meal at Thanksgiving.”

Northeast Wisconsin’s Fox 11 Raises 22,572 Pounds of Food for Local Pantries

Date Posted: 12/18/2023

The FOX 11 Food Project: Northeast Wisconsin Gives Thanks food drive from Sinclair Broadcast Group’s Fox 11 News in Green bay, Wisc., resulted in 22,572 pounds of food and $3,368 donated to three area pantries. General Manager Jay Zollar shared heartfelt stories from the community: “An emotional mother dropped off food, telling us that her son was a recipient of food from Paul’s Pantry before he died. She said it took two years, but she finally had the financial means to now help pay it forward.”

WAVY in Hampton Roads, Va., Continues 30-Year Tradition of Collecting Coats

Date Posted: 12/18/2023

Nexstar’s WAVY in Hampton Roads, Va., is conducting its 31st annual Coats for Families drive through December 31. Last year, they collected more than 9,000 coats. WAVY says it is “proud to continues its mission of helping those in need through our 10 On Your Side Coats for Families drive. For many families, a warm coat is not just a piece of clothing; it represents security, protection, and the knowledge that their community cares.”

Dallas Station Raises $88,000 for Adults with Disabilities

Date Posted: 12/18/2023

Audacy’s 105.3 The Fan in Dallas raised more than $88,000 for My Possibilities, a charity dedicated to assisting adults with disabilities, with the station’s 13th annual Piece-A-Thon. The event featured a live auction with special items and experiences to help raise money, as well as special guests including Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer Charlotte Jones, former Dallas Stars goaltender and current Dallas Stars Foundation President Marty Turco, former Texas Rangers pitcher Derek Holland, Rangers Hall of Fame play-by-play announcer Eric Nadel and German actor, comedian, and musician Flula Borg.

Philadelphia’s Preston & Steve Raise 1.7 Million Pounds of Food and $948,732 to Fight Hunger

Date Posted: 12/18/2023

The 26th annual Preston & Steve Camp Out For Hunger event from Beasley Media Group’s 93.3 WMMR-FM in Philadelphia raised over 1.7 million pounds of food and over $948,732 dollars cash to directly benefit local hunger relief organizations. “There’s not a single event that even comes close to this level of collaboration. Add to that the results of Camp Out for Hunger,” said WMMR Program Director Bill Weston. “The generosity of our listeners, clients and sponsors is humbling. This was an amazing week of local, community-driven and entertaining radio.”

KCCI Des Moines Telethon Provides 579,645 Meals

Date Posted: 12/18/2023

Hearst Television’s KCCI in Des Moines, Iowa, raised $376,769, which translates into 579,645 meals, during the fourth annual Food Bank of Iowa Hunger-Free Holidays telethon. “The generosity of KCCI’s viewers was once again on full display,” said KCCI General Manager Brian Sather. “Being Iowa’s News Leader means going beyond covering an issue to helping solve it. We’re grateful to our viewers who stepped up to help.”

WCCO in Minneapolis Raises $367,000 in Hunger Mission Radiothon

Date Posted: 12/18/2023

Audacy’s News Talk 830 WCCO in Minneapolis partnered with the Union Gospel Mission for the 21st annual Hunger Mission Radiothon. They raised $367,000, bringing the overall fundraising total to over $4.3 million since 2003. "We are simply in awe of the incredible generosity of our fans! This is yet another great example of how live and local radio can truly impact lives,” said Brad Lane, brand manager, 830 WCCO.

41 KSHB Kansas City Raises $76,250 to Buy Shoes for Kids in Need

Date Posted: 12/18/2023

The second annual Gift of Sole Gala from Scripps Local Media’s 41 KSHB Kansas City raised $76,250 to provide new shoes to more than 1,200 area kids in need. “A simple pair of shoes does a lot for a child,” Fabi Maldonado, the mother of one of last year’s recipients, told the station. “It brings them confidence. It brings them feeling like a new person.”

10th Annual Feeding Families Fund Drive Raises $620,000

Date Posted: 11/28/2023

Cumulus-owned KMJ in Fresno, Calif., raised $620,000 for the Central California Food Bank during KMJ’s 10th Annual Feeding Families Fund Drive. In the last decade, KMJ’s Feeding Families Fund Drive has raised a total of over $4.4 Million to help feed area families in need through the Central California Food Bank. “Every year this event gets bigger, and every year KMJ listeners respond with jaw-dropping generosity. Our very special thanks to the Musson family at Gar Bennett for their always unbelievable support and 50% match, which puts this drive over the top every year,” said Patty Hixson, regional vice president and market manager, Cumulus Fresno.

Savannah Stations Host Diaper Drive during National Diaper Need Awareness Week

Date Posted: 11/28/2023

Cumulus Savannah radio stations I-95, KIX96, Magic 103.9 and E93 collected 1,914 diapers, 1,458 baby wipes, and $117 in monetary donations during a Diaper Drive for Savannah families in need during National Diaper Need Awareness Week. The community drive benefited local charities Shelter From the Rain and Over The Moon Diaper Bank with event sponsor, CareSource.

Newscenter Fairbanks Collects 1,000 Pounds in Coat Drive

Date Posted: 11/20/2023

Gray Television’s Newscenter Fairbanks in Fairbanks, Alaska, partnered with community organizations to host their annual Coat Drive. This year, the coat drive collected over a thousand pounds of donations. “Unfortunately, our unhoused community numbers are going up, and with the inflation of the economy being what it is, it’s gotten a lot harder for even two-income homes to be able to provide proper winter gear,” said Alyssa Handy, Executive Director of Development for the United Way of the Tanana Valley. The Coat Drive helps alleviate that burden for members of the Fairbanks community.

WDTN Raises $40,000 for Coats for Kids

Date Posted: 11/16/2023

Nexstar Media Group’s WDTN in Dayton, Ohio, raised $40,000 for its long-running Coats for Kids campaign with “Buckeye Blast.” This special event invited families to watch an Ohio State-Notre Dame game on the big screen at Day Air Ballpark, home of the single A Dayton Dragons. “We’re very proud of what we accomplished with WDTN’s Buckeye Blast and we truly thank everyone for joining us for this event,” said General Manager Melissa Jones. “Not only did our community have the opportunity to come out to a free, family friendly event, but they also made an impact for children in the Miami Valley to receive coats and accessories this winter through our Coats for Kids Initiative. We’re grateful to all our partners and contributors that helped make WDTN’s Buckeye Blast a success. We will continue to do our part as a local news leader by making more community connections and directly impacting the Miami Valley.”

Sinclair Cares Donates $50,000 for Humanitarian Relief in Israel

Date Posted: 10/23/2023

Sinclair Cares: Humanitarian Relief in Israel is a fundraising partnership with Magen David Adom (MDA), an affiliate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, to provide humanitarian relief and emergency medical services for all people in Israel, regardless of religious creed or political belief. “The work MDA is doing to provide medical assistance in the region is urgently needed, and we are proud to lend our support to their humanitarian relief efforts to provide emergency aid,” said Rob Weisbord, Sinclair chief operating officer and president of local media.

Nexstar Donates $50,000 to Feeding America

Date Posted: 10/2/2023

The Nexstar Media Charitable Foundation made $50,000 donation to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization, to assist with Feeding America’s promotion of “Hunger Action Month,” in September. The contribution is part of Nexstar Media Group’s ongoing four-year $2 million partnership with Feeding America. As part of the partnership, during the month of September, Nexstar’s 200 owned and partner broadcast stations and its cable news network, NewsNation, will donate airtime worth more than $600,000 to air a variety of public service announcements on behalf of Feeding America. In addition, with one or more partner food banks in all of Nexstar’s 116 television markets, Nexstar employees are being encouraged to volunteer their time and effort to assist Feeding America in fulfilling its mission.

“Let’s Kick Hunger Day Radiothon” Raises Over $447,000

Date Posted: 2/3/2023

Audacy raised over $447,000 to benefit Second Harvest Heartland during 830 WCCO’s “Let’s Kick Hunger Day Radiothon.” The amount raised during the 14th annual radiothon held on February 2 brought the overall fundraising total to over $3.5 million since 2009. “Year after year, our fans open up their hearts to those in need,” said Jeff Gonsales, senior vice president and market manager, Audacy Minneapolis. “Lives are being impacted in significant ways, and we are incredibly grateful. WCCO’s long-standing partnership with Second Harvest Heartland means so much to us and to so many people who are helped by this community effort.”

WBAL Raises $7.8 Million in 2022

Date Posted: 1/4/2023

WBAL, a Hearst NBC affiliate in Baltimore, raised $7.8 million for Maryland charities in 2022. WBAL’s fundraising campaign, "Helping Our Neighbors," was held in partnership with the United Way of Central Maryland. The campaign raised money for a variety of local charities, including the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Baltimore.

104.3 WZYP Collects Turkeys for Families In Need

Date Posted: 12/9/2022

Cumulus Media’s 104.3 WZYP-FM in Huntsville, Ala., brought 104 turkeys to local families in need this Thanksgiving with the 1st Annual Tory’s Turkey Drop. “With the rising cost of living, we wanted to make sure that our neighbors struggling to feed their families this year had a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner,” said midday host Tory Wuycheck, who spearheaded the promotion. “Thanks to the generosity of our partner Landers McLarty Nissan, we were able to buy and distribute 104 turkeys for area families in need.”

“As a local radio station, our job is to entertain and inform the local community, but the most rewarding and important part of what we do is to give back to the community,” said John Lewis, vice president and market manager, Cumulus Huntsville. “I could not be prouder of Tory and the WZYP team for their continued efforts to give back to the Huntsville community!”

Steve Harvey Morning Show Donates 800 Turkeys

Date Posted: 12/9/2022

The Annual Steve Harvey Morning Show Turkey Giveaway has donated nearly 110,000 turkeys across the country since it started in 2009. 96.3 The Block in Greenville, S.C., 97.1 QMG in Greensboro, N.C., 95.7 R&B in Norfolk, Va., and 106.5 The Beat in Richmond, Va., delivered meals to over 800 families during this year’s event.

“It’s an honor and a privilege for all of us at ‘The Steve Harvey Morning Show’ to help those in need,” said Steve Harvey. “Happy Thanksgiving and God bless you all this holiday season.”

Milwaukee Station Stuffs the Bus with 74,000 Meals

Date Posted: 12/9/2022

Audacy Milwaukee radio station 99.1 The Mix held a Stuff the Bus event November 23 to benefit Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, which provides meals to children, seniors, veterans and families. They gathered donations during to provide at least 74,515 meals this holiday season.

Cox Media Group Atlanta Collects Donations for Over 26,000 Meals

Date Posted: 12/9/2022

From November 12-22, 2022, Cox Media Group Atlanta’s stations partnered with the Atlanta Community Food Bank for food drives at Publix locations. The stations collected 11,356 pounds of food and raised thousands of dollars in monetary donations, totaling 26,627 meals for the food insecure individuals in Georgia.

“Listeners and fans of Cox Media Group’s Atlanta radio stations showed up strong to support the stations’ food and fund drives this year. We are grateful to the fans as well as the radio personalities and team members who made this year’s events such a huge success,” said Kyle Waide, president and CEO, Atlanta Community Food Bank. “As we continue to face increased need for food assistance among our neighbors, the food and funds donated by the fans will make a big difference in the lives of so many.”

Indiana Nexstar Stations Support Local Food Banks

Date Posted: 12/9/2022

The Nexstar Media Charitable Foundation and Indianapolis Nexstar Media stations FOX 59 and CBS 4 donated $5,000 each to two food banks serving the area, Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana and Midwest Food Bank of Indiana. On the same day, FOX 59 held a day-long event with Financial Center First Credit Union to benefit the food banks, encouraging viewers to donate either by texting, calling or via the station’s website.

These efforts are part of the annual “Pack the Pantries” project to help local food pantries stock their shelves. The donations will be used to help each food bank continue providing vitally needed food and supplies to families and fight food insecurity throughout central Indiana.

“The number of families in central Indiana who are experiencing hunger and food insecurity is staggering,” said Dominic Mancuso, vice president and general manager, FOX59 and CBS4. “Year after year, we prioritize the ‘Pack the Pantries’ project to help community organizations provide some relief to those who need it most. Supporting these local food banks is core to the company’s mission.”

WISN Raises Over $130,000 for Holiday Meals

Date Posted: 12/9/2022

The 11th annual “Food For Families Drive,” from Hearst Television’s WISN 12 in partnership with Hunger Task Force, generated $131,258 in donations to provide healthy holiday meals for families throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Since the campaign launched in 2012, WISN 12 and Hunger Task Force have helped bring in $1,613,376 for holiday meals.

“Year after year people open up their hearts to those in need,” said Jan Wade, president and general manager, WISN 12. “Lives are being affected in significant ways and we are so very grateful. Our longstanding partnership with Hunger Task Force means a lot to us and to so many people who are helped by this community effort.”

Illinois Stations Raise $77,000 for United Way

Date Posted: 11/21/2022

Three Neuhoff Media radio stations in Danville, Ill., D102, K-ROCK and 1450 WDAN, raised $77,000 for the local United Way with a radiothon. The group exceeded their $75,000 goal. “The community has definitely come alive and come together,” said a United Way spokesperson at the event.

KMJ NOW Raises $656,000 for Food Bank

Date Posted: 10/17/2022

Fresno, Calif.’s Cumulus-owned KMJ NOW helped raise $656,000 for the Central California Food Bank during the 2022 Feeding Families Fund Drive.

“We are honored and grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support for the 2022 Feeding Families Fund Drive,” said Karen Musson, managing partner, Gar Bennett, who sponsored the drive. “The generosity of Valley donors through this drive is truly amazing and gives hope to families, seniors and children struggling with food insecurity.”

Hearst Stations Distribute Water during E.Coli Contamination

Date Posted: 10/17/2022

WBAL-TV, 98 ROCK and WBAL NewsRadio Baltimore partnered with Safeway Foundation to distribute water to West Baltimore residents affected by an E.Coli contamination. In September, volunteers from WBAL handed out more than 38,000 bottles of Safeway Signature SELECT Refreshe Purified Water.

The WBAL team set up its distribution center in the Harlem Park community, an area greatly affect by the E.Coli contamination. “This was a great opportunity to reach out to one of our longtime partners and join forces to help people in need,” said Jerome Chester, director of Programming and Public Affairs, WBAL-TV.

In all, more than 1,600 cases of water were provided to the community. The WBAL/Safeway water distribution volunteer event was part of HEARST Gives Back, a Hearst Television initiative that encourages employees to support their communities through volunteer activities.

Nexstar Stations Support Feeding America

Date Posted: 9/12/2022

The Nexstar Charitable Foundation made a $50,000 donation to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization, to assist with Feeding America’s promotion of “Hunger Action Month,” this September.

As part of the partnership, during the month of September Nexstar’s television stations and its cable news network, NewsNation, will donate airtime worth approximately $600,000 to broadcast a variety of public service announcements on behalf of Feeding America. In addition, with one or more partner food banks in every Nexstar market, Nexstar employees are being encouraged to volunteer their time and effort to assist Feeding America in fulfilling its mission.

“Raising awareness about the issues of hunger and food insecurity in the United States is vitally important, especially as the pandemic continues to threaten families and communities across the country,” said Perry Sook, Nexstar Media Group, Inc.’s, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Millions of families remain unsure of whether they will have enough to eat on a daily basis and the work done by Feeding America and its local partner food pantries and food banks makes an incredible difference for those in need. We are proud of our partnership with Feeding America and we look forward to using our powerful national and local digital and broadcast platforms during September to raise awareness about these issues and to drive volunteer efforts in the communities we serve.”

Radiothon Raises $125,000 for Food Bank

Date Posted: 8/19/2022

Northeast Florida radio station WNZF, owned by Flagler Broadcasting, raised $125,000 for Grace Community Food Pantry during a six-hour radiothon. “A lot of times the people that have the least are the ones that give the most,” Flagler Broadcasting President David Ayres said. “A little bit from a lot of people adds up, and we’ve had a few people donate a large amount.”

WUSA9 Fights Food Insecurity

Date Posted: 7/28/2022

For six weeks in July and August, WUSA9 is hosting food drives across Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia to combat food insecurity in the Washington metropolitan region. The station reported that, according to the Capital Area Food bank, one in three people in the region were impacted by food insecurity in the region last year. In one drive, more than 3,200 pounds of food were collected for Manna Food Center in Montgomery County, Md.

WPSD Local 6 Collects Fans for Neighbors in Need

Date Posted: 7/14/2022

The “Beat the Heat” fan drive from WPSD Local 6 in Paducah, Ky., surpassed its goal, collecting donations of 864 fans for neighbors in need during the summer heat. " The economic stress right now, many people, particularly the elderly often won’t turn their air conditioning on because they need to buy medicine and food and so, so many people need a fan this summer,” said Paducah Bank Marketing Director Susan Guess in an appearance on the station to promote the campaign.

WEAR Helps Seniors Beat the Heat

Date Posted: 7/7/2022

The Senior Chill Out campaign from Pensacola, Fla.’s WEAR-TV, owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, collected 472 fans, 467 air conditioners and $96,146 in cash from viewers and corporate donors. Now in its twelfth year, the campaign collaborates with the Council on Aging to help provide senior years relief during the summer heat.

WEAR senior news anchor Sue Straughn, a champion of the campaign, wrote her thanks to the local “community of Angels” for their support. “For the hundreds who are safer today because of your kindness, Channel 3 says, ‘thank you.’”

Q106 Provides 9,000 Meals in Michigan

Date Posted: 7/1/2022

Q106 FM, a Midwest Communications-owned rock station in Lansing, Mich., hosted an “All-Request” drive to benefit the Greater Lansing Food Bank, playing any kind of music requested by donors. The event raised enough money to provide 9,000 meals. “Working with non-profits is baked into what we do,” said Q106 FM Brand Manager Terry Stevens.

Omaha Station Gathers 38,000 Pounds of Food

Date Posted: 6/10/2022

The Stuff the Bus food drive from Omaha, Neb.’s 6 News, a Gray Television station, gathered 38,000 pounds of food, a 15% increase over last year’s event. Donations benefited the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.

“Even before COVID the need was always there, there are people hungry in Omaha and there are people who are very willing to help feed those people,” St. Vincent de Paul officials said.

WUSA9 Supports United Way

Date Posted: 5/31/2022

TEGNA-owned station WUSA9 partnered with the United Way of the National Capital Area for its #DoMore24 campaign, bringing together charities, private companies and donors who are committed to making a difference in the community. WUSA9 and the TEGNA foundation donated $15,000 to the campaign and promoted the 24-hour fundraising campaign.

"During the last two years, we have seen small businesses, families and loved ones devastated by this pandemic, we have united with our neighbors in organizing around social justice and racial equity, we have seen unprecedented levels of hunger, unemployment, and deficits in education. We are truly Better United when we break down barriers to create a more equitable society where everyone in our community has fair and equal access to health, education and economic opportunity," said Rosie Allen-Herring, president and CEO of United Way of the National Capital Area.

WITN Food Drive Provides 10,000 Meals

Date Posted: 5/20/2022

As food costs rise, more people are relying on hunger relief services. In response, Gray Television’s WITN in Greenville, N.C, teamed up with grocery chain Food Lion and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina to hold a four-day food drive. They raised enough food and funds to provide nearly 10,000 meals to families in need.

Fox Carolina Hosts Blood Drive in Response to Local Shortage

Date Posted: 5/12/2022

The first Fox Carolina Give Blood Carolina blood drive collected more than 100 units of blood for the South Carolina and North Carolina chapters of the American Red Cross. The blood will help as many as 300 people in the upstate of South Carolina and the mountain region of western North Carolina.

The Red Cross approached Gray Television-owned Fox Carolina to ask for help with a blood shortage in the area. As a station with a strong connection to the communities it serves, Fox Carolina General Manager Bryce Caldwell immediately said yes.

“This fits our brand statement, Committed to You, perfectly,” says Caldwell. “We’re honored the Red Cross asked us to lead the way and were very pleased with the response from the community.”

KARE 11 Partners with Second Harvest for Day of Giving

Date Posted: 5/12/2022

TEGNA’s KARE 11 in Minneapolis, Minn., partnered with Second Harvest Heartland for a Day of Giving to deliver food to those facing hunger in the region.

Nearly half a million Minnesotans – including 1 in every 8 children – are facing hunger. More than 30% of K-12 students in Minnesota rely on free or reduced-price meals during the school year. The arrival of summer break means the kids who rely on free or reduced-price meals face the prospect of going hungry, making this Day of Giving critical.

"We’re trying to raise money to provide a million meals to this community. So, we need this community to stick with us and help us make it happen," said Second Harvest Heartland’s CEO, Allison O’Toole.

Neuhoff Media Supports Central Illinois Families

Date Posted: 5/4/2022

Neuhoff Media partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois (RMHCCI) for its 3rd Annual All-In Donation Day on Tuesday, March 29. They raised $72,288 in 24 hours, surpassing their goal of $50,000 and fulfilling the charity’s wish list of household items that are used daily to make the Springfield and Peoria Houses feel more like home to the families served.

WKRG News 5 Kicks Off “Stock the Pantry”

Date Posted: 4/6/2022

In April 2022, Nexstar Media-owned WKRG News 5 in Mobile, Ala., is kicking off a new initiative in partnership with Feeding the Gulf Cost called “Stock the Pantry.” Their goal is to make sure children don’t go hungry during the summer. One in four children along the Gulf Coast is food insecure, meaning it may be difficult for them to get access to proper food and nutrition. For students in the Mobile County Public School System receive breakfast and lunch for free, summers present a challenge accessing adequate nutrition. The station is partnering with sponsors throughout the Mobile community to accept “Stock the Pantry” food donations at orange barrels in 31 drop-off locations. A complete list of locations and needed items are available on the station’s website.

Minnesota Station Collects Food for Those in Need

Date Posted: 3/28/2022

As food insecurity rises in the Minnesota due to the economic hardships caused by the pandemic, WCCO-TV is stepping in to help. In partnership with The Salvation Army, WCCO-TV is hosting a month-long food drive to aid the more than 460,000 Minnesotans in need of food. The goal is to collect two million pounds of food. Throughout the month of March, viewers can drop off food donations at The Salvation Army or make online donations.

Lakeland Broadcasting Radiothon Raises More Than $58,000 for Hungry Minnesotans

Date Posted: 3/28/2022

The 17th annual “Radio for Relief” broadcast with Lakeland Broadcasting and corporate partner Jennie-O Turkey Store was a huge success on Friday, March 25. The radiothon brought in $58,787 in monetary donations and 5,452 lbs. of food for the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf.

Lakeland Broadcasting stations include 102.5 Q102, 1340 AM and 96.3 FM KWLM, 100.1 Big Country and 106.5 The Train.

2022 “Giant Eagle Feed the Need Radiothon” Raises 603,000 Meals

Date Posted: 3/16/2022

The Audacy Pittsburgh Family, along with the help of the Pittsburgh community, raised 603,000 meals for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank during the annual “Giant Eagle Feed the Need Radiothon.” During the one-day event, news KDKA (1020), sports KDKA-FM (93.7), hot AC WBZZ (100.7), and country WDSY (107.9) broadcast live throughout the entire day, encouraging listeners, local restaurants and businesses to donate meals to neighbors in need.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a 42% increase in food insecurity in the region since 2018. Now in its third year, the “Giant Eagle Feed the Need Radiothon” provides meals to the hungry.

"Our community is at the core of everything we do at Audacy Pittsburgh. The results of the Feed the Need Radiothon are a good showcase of radio’s power in our region,” said Michael Spacciapolli, senior vice president and market manager, Audacy Pittsburgh.

WISC-TV’s News 3 Now Telethon Raises More Than $34K to Help Keep Wisconsinites Warm

Date Posted: 2/9/2022

When many in southern Wisconsin struggled to keep their homes heated during frigid temperatures this winter, WISC-TV’s News 3 Now in Madison stepped in to help. News 3 Now partnered with the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund for a “Day of Warmth” telethon and donation drive on Thursday, February 10, raising $34,264 to help those in need. A total of 90 cents of every dollar donated will be used to help those in crisis this winter.

KJSR-FM The Eagle Helps Feed Tulsa Hungry

Date Posted: 2/9/2022

Each year, 103.3 The Eagle’s “Spread the Love” campaign helps feed the hungry in Tulsa, Okla. The Eagle counts on the power of PB&J to help the Foodbank of Eastern Oklahoma, calling on listeners of the Cox Media Group station to donate peanut butter and jelly. Everyone who donates also can leave a love note for their special someone, to be read on 103.3 The Eagle on Valentine’s Day.

The “Spread the Love” campaign is an important program for the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, providing peanut butter and jelly to kids who rely on state-funded meals to make sure that they have something to eat over the Spring Break.

WWJ Winter Survival Radiothon Raises $986k to Keep Michigan Residents Warm

Date Posted: 2/4/2022

On February 4, THAW’s WWJ Winter Survival Radiothon raised $986,256 to help thousands of Michigan families pay utility bills. The 14-hour radiothon featured an online auction and hourly incentives, as listeners called in to make generous pledges.

The radiothon is part of THAW and WWJ’s commitment to supporting Michigan residents.

Eau Claire Station Helps ‘Backyard Dreams’ Come True

Date Posted: 12/7/2021

Eau Claire radio station WAYY Sports Talk 105.1 created the “Backyard Dreams” charity to help fulfill the wishes of local children and adults. In December, “Backyard Dreams” helped a 14-year-old boy with rare eye disease realize his dream of seeing LeBron James play basketball. The station provided the boy and his family tickets to the L.A. Lakers versus Milwaukee Bucks basketball game and arranged early access to watch the players warm-up, plus signed Giannis Antetokounmpo jersey.

“Backyard Dreams” also recently worked with a local business to create the “Dan Kasper Brat,” named after the host of “The Dan Kasper Show.” Portions of the proceeds went to The Miracle League. The effort raised thousands of dollars.

WISN Raises Funds for Families Affected by Waukesha Parade Tragedy

Date Posted: 12/2/2021

Communities across southeastern Wisconsin have come together to help those affected by the incident that occurred at the Waukesha Christmas Parade. Following a donation effort hosted by Milwaukee TV station WISN 12, $256,198 was raised to benefit the families impacted by this tragedy.

WISN 12 held a phone bank Nov. 29-30 and an online fundraising drive to accept donations from viewers throughout southeastern Wisconsin. This effort is part of the ‘United For Waukesha Community Fund,’ a collaborative partnership between the Waukesha County Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. All donations were matched by the Fotsch Family Foundation – a Waukesha County-based private foundation.

WMGK-FM John DeBella Turkey Drop Collects Turkeys for Local Families in Philadelphia

Date Posted: 11/30/2021

Beasley Media Group’s WMGK-FM Classic Rock 102.9 legendary Morning Personality John DeBella hosted the annual Turkey Drop, collecting turkeys for needy families in the Philadelphia area. The event is the largest one-day food gathering event in the area, and this year collected a record-breaking 9,056 turkeys.

On Tuesday, November 23, John DeBella broadcasted live from The Kimmel Center, and the MGK on-air staff lent a helping hand on the air from 12 additional sites across the tri-state area. The turkeys will be distributed throughout the holiday season.

The Turkey Drop benefits Cityteam Philadelphia, a local non-profit organization that provides holiday meals and other important services for individuals and families in need.

KMJ-FM Raises $500,000 For Central California Food Bank

Date Posted: 10/13/2021

CUMULUS’s KMJ-FM Fresno recently teamed up with a local agriculture company to raise money for the Central California Food Bank through the "2021 Feeding Families Fund Drive".

Even in the midst of a pandemic, KMJ listeners came through with amazing generosity, donating more than $250,000 to help their neighbors struggling with food insecurity and hunger, which was matched for a total of $506,647 in donations.

KZPK Raises $1,100 For Local Family Battling Cancer

Date Posted: 2/4/2021

Leighton Broadcasting’s KZPK-FM St Cloud, Minn. teamed up with the "I’m Not Done Yet" Foundation to raise money for the family of a local child named Eden who is battling pediatric cancer. Managing Director Brook Stephens and the station team raised $1,160 worth of donations in under a week.

"This is Eden," the station shared in a Facebook post promoting the donation drive. "She just turned one in December and is fighting for her little life against cancer...Today, is chemo day for Eden. Let’s give the family something to celebrate."

WTAE Bundles Up With the Salvation Army

Date Posted: 12/17/2020

Hearst’s WTAE-TV Pittsburgh collected more than $200,000 via WTAE’S project "Bundle-Up Telethon", a record year of giving for this 35-year tradition to community service. The annual event, held December 4 in partnership with the Salvation Army - Western Pennsylvania Division, provides winter clothing--hats, boots, jackets and gloves--to families, older adults and those in need each winter.

WTAE General Manager Charles W. Wolfertz III thanked the community for their generous support, and said, “Project Bundle-Up is a Pittsburgh tradition and we, as local broadcasters, are proud of our service to the neighbors who need it most.”

WRGB Reporter Helps Thousands Access Unemployment Benefits

Date Posted: 12/2/2020

Sinclair Broadcast Group’s CBS affiliate WRGB-TV Albany’s anchor Anne McCloy has helped thousands of people access unemployment benefits during the ongoing pandemic. After she was approached by someone struggling to get through to the state’s unemployment office, Anne McCloy began investigating the backlog, eventually bringing the issue directly to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo during a press conference. Read the account of her work and the impact on ending the state’s unemployment claims backlog here.

iHeartMedia Supports Boulder Shooting Victims

Date Posted: 3/29/2020

iHeartMedia Colorado aired "We are iHeart Colorado. Boulder Strong," an on-air broadcast fundraiser on March 26 to benefit the victims and the families of the March 22 mass shooting, which took place at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder and claimed the lives of 10 people.

All 26 iHeartMedia stations across Colorado including those in Denver-Boulder aired the fundraisers all day on Friday, March 26. The funds collected will distributed through Community Foundation of Boulder County, a local nonprofit responding to immediate needs and anticipating future challenges of the community, and cover expenses such as travel and lodging for families of victims, immediate costs such as rent and utilities and more long-term needs identified by the community impacted.

In addition to fundraising efforts, the stations’ air personalities aired segments to help connect listeners who may be struggling with Colorado Crisis Services.

"Words cannot express the grief that our community has experienced as a result of this horrific event," said iHeartMedia Denver Region President Brenda Egger. "Together, with Community Foundation of Boulder County, we are proud to help with the healing process and provide assistance to those who were impacted by Monday’s tragedy."

KQKQ-FM Collects More Than 100 Miles of Toilet Paper

Date Posted: 2/15/2020

NRG Media’s KQKQ-FM Omaha collected over 2,000 rolls of toilet paper on February 7 for Omaha’s Open Door Mission, a resource center for people experiencing homelessness and poverty. On-air personalities Nikki Oswald and Laura Blenkush sat on closed toilets outside the station in snow and 20-degree temperatures. They stayed outside until the goal of collecting 98.5 miles, approximately 1,700 rolls, was surpassed.

Gray Stations Collect 300,000 Meals

Date Posted: 1/22/2020

Gray Television’s Fox affiliate WSAW-TV and CBS affiliate WZAW Wausau, Wis., collected more than $100,000 during the 17th annual “Share Your Holidays” campaign, held November 29 – December 30. The funds will be donated to The Salvation Army of Wausau and The Neighbors’ Place food bank.

Throughout the campaign, WSAW-WZAW staff participated in several events to help drive donations, including collecting donations during a holiday parade, pumping gas at a donation drive and raising funds during a phonebank.

Quincy’s KTIV Supports Local Families

Date Posted: 1/22/2020

Quincy Media’s NBC/CW affiliate KTIV-TV Sioux City, IA supported the community through several initiatives at the end of 2019. KTIV sponsored the annual “Red Shoe Shindig” for the Ronald McDonald House, which raised $107,770 on November 22. Station anchor Matt Breen served as emcee.

The station concluded their annual “Spread the Joy” campaign on December 23 to support the Food Bank of Siouxland. KTIV produced a television spot to encourage donations of peanut butter and jelly. In total, the food drive collected over 5,000 pounds of food.

KTIV also partnered with Goodwill on December 7 to distribute hats and gloves for 3,000 kids during the 79th annual “Shoe and Mitten Party.” Station employees volunteered during the event and the station broadcast spots to encourage donations leading up to the event.

WGEM Helps Feed and House the Community

Date Posted: 1/14/2020

Quincy Broadcasting’s NBC-affiliate WGEM-TV Quincy, Ind., partnered with local schools and the Salvation Army to deliver 1,350 food baskets to local families during the holiday season. Food was collected during the 32nd annual “Fall Harvest Food Drive,” which ran throughout the month of October. Local schools competed to collect the most food items per student, with the top school receiving a $1,000 donation from WGEM-TV.

WGEM-TV also raised $41,500 from December 9 - 12 for the Salvation Army during the 35th annual “Bucket Blitz” donation drive. To encourage listener donations, the station held several live broadcasts from the collection location and took donations online. The total raised will help fund Salvation Army’s various programs, including running a local shelter for people experiencing homelessness.

Radio Raises Over $31 Million

Date Posted: 1/1/2020

Radio stations across the U.S. have raised close to $31.2 million for their local communities, according to Radio Ink’s ongoing tracker. Broadcasters collected tons of food, distributed hundreds of thousands of toys and raised millions to fight childhood cancer. A sample of the stories can be found below. More information about stations’ fundraisers can be found at Radio Ink.

Sinclair’s Seattle Stations Collect $125,000 and Tons of Toys

Date Posted: 12/29/2019

Sinclair’s Seattle stations KPLZ-FM, KOMO-AM/FM and KVI-AM, along with ABC-affiliate KOMO-TV and Univision-owned KUNS-TV, held their annual toy drive on December 13 to benefit the Salvation Army. Each station encouraged listeners to donate online and drop off toys and cash donations at three collection centers. The stations collected $125,000 and over 7,000 toys during the event.

“The toy drive has been a nine-year tradition for our stations,” said Gary Greenberg, station manager at Sinclair Radio of Seattle. “Our team builds an amazing campaign every year, and our listeners continue to come out to support the Salvation Army in a big way – it’s what local radio is all about.”

KSOS-FM Throws Christmas Events

Date Posted: 12/25/2019

Faith Communication’s KSOS-FM Las Vegas partnered with Hope for Prisoners to produce Christmas events for 110 children and their incarcerated parents on December 12. KSOS set up 50 unique living rooms anchored around a fresh-cut, decorated Christmas tree. The station also collected toys, bikes and other gifts in the weeks leading up to the event.

WOWO’s Penny Pitch Radithon Raises $100,000

Date Posted: 12/20/2019

Pathfinder Communications’ WOWO-AM Ft. Wayne, Ind., raised $100,000 for Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana during its annual charity fundraiser “Penny Pitch” fundraiser, held December 12 - 13. Since 1948, WOWO has asked listeners to contribute pennies, nickels and dimes to help local families.

KLUC Toy Drive Nets $603,000

Date Posted: 12/20/2019

Enercom’s KLUC-FM Las Vegas host Chet Buchanan lived on a 30-foot high scaffolding platform from December 5 – 16 to raise awareness and money for families in need. Donations collected during the 12-day event filled 41 semi-truck trailers with new toys and 9,540 bikes. KLUC also collected $603,000. The toys and money benefit HELP of Southern Nevada, a nonprofit organization that helped impact over 3,000 families this holiday season.

WSOU Holds Record-Setting Food Drive

Date Posted: 12/20/2019

Seton Hall University’s WSOU-FM Orange, N.J. donated a record-breaking 1,202 pounds of food to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey on December 17. The food collected during the station’s sixth annual food drive will provide over 1,500 meals to those in the local community.

WIVK Raises Over $340,00 for St. Jude

Date Posted: 12/15/2019

Cumulus-FM WIVK Knoxville raised nearly $342,000 for St. Jude during its annual radiothon, held December 12 - 13. This total represents a record for the event.

WFTN Hosts Successful ’Cash and Cans’ Event

Date Posted: 12/15/2019

Northeast Communication’s WFTN-FM Concord, N.H., collected over 20,000 food items and $43,000 during the annual "Cash and Cans" event, held December 6 - 13. The Drive benefits ten local non-profit organizations.

SummitMedia Omaha Raised a Record $96,000 for Kids

Date Posted: 12/13/2019

SummitMedia’s KSRZ-FM and KKCD-FM Omaha, Neb., provided holiday gifts and meals for local families and raised $96,000 for children with life-threatening illnesses during two annual fundraisers. Listeners adopted a record-breaking 2,000 families for KSRZ’s 20th annual Adopt-A-Family radiothon on December 5 and 6, in partnership with the Salvation Army. KKCD’S Make-A-Wish radiothon raised $96,000 on December 6, a station record for the event.

SummitMedia Omaha’s Operations Manager Matt Derrick said, “Both of these events are true testaments to the passion and community spirit our team has and the love and support our listeners pour out during the holiday season.”

Cox Media’s WKEN Tulsa Collects 1,600 Bikes

Date Posted: 12/11/2019

Natalie Cash from Cox Media Group’s KWEN-FM Tulsa’s lived on top of 30-foot scaffolding from December 9 – 11 to encourage listeners to donate bikes for children in the community. Over 1,600 bikes were collected during the 5th annual Bikes for Kids event.

“It is always incredible to see how our listeners rise to the challenge of collecting bikes for kids who would not have access to a bike any other way,” said Director of Branding and Programming Matt Bradley.

WDTN Hosts 38th Annual Food Drive

Date Posted: 12/10/2019

Nexstar’s WDTN-TV Dayton, Ohio, held its annual “Food for Friends” campaign from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. In 38 years, WDTN has collected over 13 million food items to help stock The Foodbank of Dayton and other local food pantries. The station ran spots encouraging viewers to donate and broadcast live from various donation locations during the 2019 campaign.

Entercom Milwaukee Toy Drive Nets Over $200,000

Date Posted: 12/10/2019

Entercom’s WSSP-FM Milwaukee raised over $200,000 to benefit Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and Robyn’s Nest during its 13th annual toy drive, held December 2 – 6. Children’s Wisconsin is one of the top pediatric health systems in the U.S., with more than 40 locations throughout the state. Robyn’s Nest houses and provides clothing, hygiene products, infant items, toys, books, and household goods to families in the foster care system.

WMMR Raises 2.6 Million Pounds of Food

Date Posted: 12/6/2019

Beasley’s WMMR-FM Philadelphia collected a record 2.6 million pounds of food and $200,000 during the annual Preston & Steve Camp Out For Hunger event, held December 2 - 6.

Station personalities Preston and Steve lived in a parking lot in South Philadelphia for the week to collect food donations. The donations benefit Philabundance, the Delaware Valley’s largest hunger relief organization.

WMMR hosted multiple free events at night during the week, including the official “Preston & Steve Calendar Release Party,” a comedy night and watch parties for Sixers and Flyers games.

KSBW Devotes A Day To Help Local Communities

Date Posted: 12/6/2019

KSBW-TV, Hearst’s dual NBC-ABC affiliate in Salinas, Calif., collected $168,820, plus 6,971 pounds of food and 4,855 new toys during its 33rd annual “Share Your Holiday” event, held December 6. KSBW held the event in partnership with the Salvation Army and is part of its Project CommUNITY initiative.

NRG Omaha Collect’s 10,000 Toys

Date Posted: 12/6/2019

NRG Media’s Omaha, Neb., cluster - KQKQ-FM, KOPW-FM, KOOO-FM, KOZN-AM, KMMQ-AM and KOIL-AM – collected more than 10,000 toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign on December 6 and 7. Stations also collected more than $1,000 in cash during the two-day event.

Entercom’s KFRG Collects $303,000

Date Posted: 12/5/2019

Entercom’s KFRG-FM and KXFG-FM Loma Linda, Calif., raised $303,500 to aid the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital during its 19th annual “Stater Bros. Charities K-FROGGERS 4 Kids Radiothon,” held December 4. Proceeds will be used for improvements to rooms, including beds, televisions, sleeper chairs for parents and more. In 19 years, they have raised $6.7 million.

“I am proud of our station’s efforts to work with the hospital to fight against pediatric cancer in our community,” said SVP and Market Manager Michael Valenzuela. “Both my son and K-FROG’s on-air host Heather’s daughter have been treated at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and it is an honor to be able to give back to an institution that means so much to our families.”

The Family Radio Network Raises $15,700 For Local Families

Date Posted: 12/5/2019

The Family Radio Network’s WEMY-FM Green Bay, WEMI-FM Appleton, Wis., WGNV-FM Wausau, Wis., and WSTM-FM Sheboygan, Wis., held its first Christmas Blessing fundraiser to benefit families across Northeast and Central Wisconsin on December 3. During the daylong fundraiser, stations encouraged listeners to help provide Christmas trees and grocery cards to 95 families. The stations raised over $15,000 in total.

Cox’s KRMG-FM Tulsa Raises $271,000 for Make-A-Wish

Date Posted: 12/5/2019

Cox Media’s KRMG-FM raised $271,000 through its 14th annual “Stories of Light” event, held November 19 – 21 to benefit Make-A-Wish® Oklahoma. KRMG shared stories from local kids and their families to encourage donations. In addition, a local kid’s wish was granted during the broadcast – he was surprised with a ski trip to Canada for himself and his family. The radiothon has raised over $3 million in 14 years.

“This ‘Stories of Light’ fundraiser has become part of the fabric of KRMG,” said Director of Branding and Programming Levi May. “We are honored to play a role in giving children something to look forward to while they are in the middle of difficult medical treatments.”

KHTT Raises $60,000 for Community Food Bank

Date Posted: 12/3/2019

Griffin Communications-owned KHTT-FM host Chubbs of “Chubbs & Tara in the Morning” climbed up on the roof of the Tulsa’s station media center on December 3 and did not return to the lobby $60,000 was raised for Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. The station accepted donations from listeners in the parking lot and met the $60,000 goal in just over 48 hours, "freeing" Chubbs from the roof on the afternoon of December 5.

NBC’S WBTS Investigation Prompts Hill Action

Date Posted: 11/30/2019

NBC-owned WBTS Boston aired an investigation that prompted U.S. Senator Ed Markey to contact Tesla with concerns about safety flaws in the autopilot system. That report, which aired on November 11, was a follow-up from investigative journalist Ryan Kath on a September story about a driver who fell asleep behind the unmanned wheel on the Massachusetts Pike.

"According to a recent news report on NBC Boston, Tesla drivers have identified a variety of ways to circumvent the safety alerts and automatic shut-off feature that are designed to activate when a user of Autopilot is no longer paying attention to the road," Markey said in his letter to Tesla.

WNOR-FM and WAFX-FM Serve 700,000 Meals for Families in Need

Date Posted: 11/24/2019

Saga Communications-owned WNOR-FM Hampton Roads, Va., and WAFX-FM Suffolk, Va., collected enough food to serve over 700,000 meals during the 23rd annual Mayflower Marathon Food Drive benefits from November 22 - 24. The event benefits the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore and Virginia Peninsula Food Bank.

KRAV-FM Collects More Than 60,000 Meals for Families in Need

Date Posted: 11/15/2019

Cox Media Group’s KRAV-FM Tulsa, Okla., collected 64,000 meals in a drive held November 15 to benefit the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. The event, a part of the annual “Restock the Cupboards” food drive, included a 12-hour live broadcast, during which on-air talent and staff encouraged listeners to donate. In anticipation of the rivalry football game between Oklahoma State University and University of Oklahoma, KRAV also encouraged listeners to make an online donation in support of their preferred team.

“As Thanksgiving approaches and we count our blessings, it’s hard not to think about our neighbors who may be struggling to put food on the table,” said Cox Media Group-Tulsa Market VP Cathy Gunther.

Townsquare Tuscaloosa Raises Money for Fallen Officer’s Family

Date Posted: 9/18/2019

Townsquare Media’s WQRR-FM, WFFN-FM, WTUG-FM, WTBC-FM, WTUG-FM, WTSK-FM and WTID-FM Tuscaloosa, Ala., have raised over $8,000 for the family of Investigator Dornell Cousette, a police officer killed on Sept. 16 in the line of duty. Cousette is survived by two daughters and a fiancée. All donated proceeds will benefit a scholarship fund for his children

The eight station cluster reached the original $5,000 goal on their GoFundMe page in under a day and has been recognized by Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox.

WSOU-FM Collects Record Clothing Donations

Date Posted: 6/30/2019

Seton Hall University’s WSOU-FM South Orange, N.J., set a new record for donations to its annual clothing drive for the Our Lady of the Sioux Church on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The station collected enough clothing to fill 14 large boxes with clothes for all ages and seasons.

“One of the things students learn at our station is that radio is about more than entertainment, it’s about community service as well,” said General Manager Mark Maben.

WCVB Raises $350,000 for Explosion Recovery

Date Posted: 12/31/2018

Hearst’s ABC affiliate WCVB Boston raised $350,000 on December 4 in the “Relief Fund 5: Explosion Recovery” telethon. The money supports relief efforts after a gas line exploded in the Merrimack Valley.

“We especially want to thank the entire team at WCVB Channel 5 for all of their hard work hosting the telethon,” said Essex County Community Foundation VP for Grants and Services Carol Lavoie Schuster. “We experienced first-hand the staff’s warmth, sincerity, and generosity; and it is clear why WCVB Channel 5 is such a trusted community partner.”

WMMR-FM’s ‘Camp Out for Hunger 2018’ Breaks Record

Date Posted: 12/19/2018

Beasley Media Group’s WMMR-FM Philadelphia collected a record 1.83 million pounds of food (913 tons) and nearly $200,000 in the 21st annual “Preston & Steve Camp Out for Hunger,” held November 26 – 30. The donations will provide over 2.2 million meals for people in need.

Morning Personalities Preston and Steve lived in Xfinity Live! Philadelphia parking lot all week to solicit donations. Event supporters included U.S. Senators Christopher Coons (DE), Larry Farnese (PA) and Bob Casey, Jr. (PA); Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney; Philadelphia Flyers players Claude Giroux, James Van Riemsdyk and Travis Konecny; and comedian Dana Gould.

WPTV Collects 100 Tons of Food

Date Posted: 12/19/2018

Scripps’ NBC affiliate WPTV West Palm Beach collected 100 tons of food during the 34th annual “Bill Brooks’ Food for Families Food Drive” to serve people in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties. WPTV partnered with schools, local businesses, civic groups and nonprofits during the six-week campaign, which concluded December 8.

KNUC-FM Seattle Collects Six Tons of Food

Date Posted: 12/19/2018

Hubbard’s KNUC-FM Seattle collected 12,300 pounds of food during a series of 13 drives that culminated in the “Bull Nation Appreciation Holiday Concert” on December 7. KNUC far surpassed its goal of 10,000 pounds of food. The campaign benefited statewide hunger relief agency NW Harvest and the Sky Valley Family and Community Resource Center.

KLGR-FM Hosts Food Drive

Date Posted: 12/19/2018

Alpha’s KLGR-FM Redwood Falls, Minn., collected 23,857 pounds of food in its 15th annual “Freezing for Food” event, held December 5-7. The donations were split among four local food pantries.

WPLR-FM Holds Record Toy Drive

Date Posted: 12/19/2018

Connoisseur Media’s WPLR-FM New Haven raised a record $192,000 in toys and cash during a toy drive held December 7. The show featured musical performances from national, local and student rock acts, plus appearances by Connecticut Governor-Elect Ned Lamont and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.

KSBW’s Holiday Drive Passes $2 Million

Date Posted: 12/19/2018

Hearst’s NBC/ABC affiliate KSBW Salinas, Calif., collected 489 pounds of food, 5,129 toys, and $184,000 in its “Share Your Holiday” event on December 7. In 32 years, KSBW has raised $2.1 million.

Cox Tulsa’s Q4 Public Service Valued at $1.9 Million

Date Posted: 12/19/2018

Cox Media Group (CMG) Tulsa generated $1.9 million of community service in the fourth quarter of 2018. “We are most proud of not only the size of our impact in our community, but also the diversity of needs we addressed during the fourth quarter,” said CMG Tulsa Director of Marketing and Radio Operations Nate Reed. “The employees at CMG – Tulsa care greatly about using our platform to improve the quality of life of our neighbors and this remarkable impact is proof of that.”

  • Fox affiliate KOKI and R.I.P. Medical Debt eliminated $1.3 million of medical debt for Tulsa residents.
  • KJSR-FM held a radiothon on October 26 for the Disabled American Veterans’ (DAV) Oklahoma chapter and was the media sponsor for DAV’s 5K on November 3. The events raised $88,000.
  • KOKI-TV and KRMG-FM promoted and fundraised for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Light the Night Walk,” which raised $123,000 on November 2. Staffers walked in memory of a colleague who died from blood cancer.
  • KRAV-FM challenged fans of Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma to donate goods during a food drive held November 9 before the teams’ rivalry game. They collected 22,000 meals for the Community Food Bank of Oklahoma.
  • KRMG-FM raised over $300,000 during its 14th annual “Stories of Light” fundraiser, held November 13-15 for the Oklahoma chapter of Make-A-Wish.
  • KWEN-FM morning show host Natalie Cash lived on top of a 35-foot scaffold for three days during the “Bikes for Kids” event. The 1,910 bikes collected are valued at $95,500.

WSOU Collects 900 Pounds of Food

Date Posted: 12/10/2018

Seton Hall University’s WSOU-FM South Orange, N.J. collected 908 pounds of food for the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. The “Students Change Hunger” drive, held September 17 – December 10, far surpassing the previous record of 640 pounds. It is one of WSOU’s annual community service projects because nearly one million New Jersey residents, including 270,000 children, need food assistance.

“At Seton Hall we learn that broadcasting isn’t just about entertainment, it is also about partnering with others to make a difference within your listening area,” said WSOU Staff Representative Jose Feliciano. “It’s a great feeling to know that we are helping to improve people’s lives.”

Beasley’s WRAT-FM Hosts Food Drive

Date Posted: 12/7/2018

Beasley Media Group’s WRAT-FM Lake Como, N.J., collected nearly 15,000 pounds of food and 6,000 pounds of clothes during its 20th annual “Broadcast for the People of New Jersey Thanksgiving Season Collection Drive” on November 19- 20. Three local non-profits used the food to provide 12,000 meals.

WMGK-FM Collects 10,000 Turkeys

Date Posted: 12/5/2018

Beasley Media Group’s WMGK-FM Philadelphia collected almost 10,000 turkeys on November 20 during its “John DeBella Turkey Drop,” Philadelphia’s largest one day food drive. Morning Show Host John DeBella broadcast live to accept donations for City Team Philadelphia, a non-profit providing food and services to local individuals, families, shelters and agencies. WMGK-FM also accepted donations at supermarkets in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

WLEN-FM Produces ‘Hoping for a Home’ Radiothon

Date Posted: 9/4/2018

Lenawee Broadcasting’s WLEN-FM Adrian, Mich., raised $11,000 during its “Hoping for a Home” radiothon, held July 13 – 14 to support renovations and on-going expenses for Neighbors of Hope Women and Children’s Center. Neighbors of Hope supports the Men’s Ministry Fresh Start and Life Change Programs, Blessings and More Resale Store, Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry, the Third Day Farming Program and Word Made Flesh Radio Ministry.

NBC New York Delivers 1.9 Million Meals to Needy Families

Date Posted: 6/27/2018

NBC-owned WNBC-TV and Telemundo’s WNJU-TV New York City collected 1.9 million meals, which will restock eight food banks with 240 tons of nonperishable goods. The second annual “Feeding Our Families / Alimentando a Nuestras Familias” event was held April 28 in partnership with 254 Stop & Shop supermarkets and featured more than 1,000 volunteers, including anchors, reporters and station staff.

“WNBC is committed to fighting hunger and making a difference in every community we serve,” said General Manager Eric Lerner.

KKFS-FM Collects Tons of Clothing

Date Posted: 6/1/2018

Salem Media Group’s KKFS-FM Sacramento collected over 10,000 items in April during their annual drive to gather clothes, shoes, toys, books, personal care items and cash for WEAVE *Women Escaping Violent Environments). The donations arrived at their final locations in time for Mother’s Day. Many listeners who donated expressed their deep appreciation for WEAVE and the free services they provide.

KBLX-FM San Francisco Aids Local Family

Date Posted: 6/1/2018

Bonneville-operated KBLX-FM San Francisco’s morning “Dream Team” rallied behind local resident LaDonald Griffin and his six children when his wife was killed in March by a drunk driver while visiting family in Jacksonville, Fla. KBLX-FM broadcast live from a local café from 5 – 10 a.m. on May 17, asking listeners to donate to their GOFUNDME account, or provide clothing, gift cards and non-perishable items.

Beasley Boston Joins Project Bread’s 50th Walk for Hunger

Date Posted: 5/6/2018

Employees at Beasley Media Group Boston stations WBQT-FM, WROR-FM, WBOS-FM, WKLB-FM, WBZ-FM and WRCA-AM participated in Project Bread’s 50th Walk for Hunger & 5K Run on May 6th. Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger is the oldest pledge walk in the nation and the longest-running single day of community action against hunger. Over the past 50 years, it has provided over one billion meals to hungry people in Massachusetts. Together, the personalities and employees walked to send a powerful message about hunger.

Memphis Radio Stations Roadblock for Food Bank

Date Posted: 5/2/2018

Twenty-one Memphis radio stations aired a “roadblock” announcement on April 2 to promote the Mid-South Food Bank’s “Hunger to Hope” campaign, encouraging listeners to donate towards the construction of a new food distribution center. “Food insecurity is a real issue across the Mid-South and this unprecedented effort by our local radio stations and Kroger gives everyone a chance to contribute to help build our new distribution center. We cannot thank them enough,” said Mid-South Food Bank President and CEO Estella Mayhue-Greer.

WXIN Food Drive Provides 300,000 Meals

Date Posted: 4/19/2018

Tribune’s FOX affiliate WXIN Indianapolis held a 13-hour telethon that raised more than $102,000 as part of its "Pack the Pantry" program. The station raised enough to provide over 300,000 meals for local food banks.

Beasley Fort Myers Supports Habitat for Humanity

Date Posted: 4/17/2018

Beasley Media Group announced on April 17 that 30 employees from the Fort Myers, Fla., cluster and corporate staff recently volunteered at Habitat for Humanity’s home sites in Collier County. As part of Beasley’s “Community of Caring” initiative, team members nailed siding on the exterior of a house, installed windows and put roofing paper on two homes for local families in need. “This is what radio is all about…serving as a lifeline to help our local community,” said Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley.

Raycom Hawaii Investigates Mental Illness Among Homeless

Date Posted: 4/10/2018

Raycom Media’s KHNL Honolulu produced a series of follow up stories on two homeless people - Donna and Ben - who were featured in a previous special report "Prescribing Hope." Each suffered from an undiagnosed mental illness but agreed to take injections of psychiatric medication that transformed their lives. The follow-up reports, one year after beginning treatment, prove that each continues to make significant progress, with both off the streets, living in apartments, and continuing their recovery.

WISN Hosts Food Drives

Date Posted: 3/31/2018

Hearst’s ABC affiliate WISN-TV Milwaukee partnered with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Bucks station, encouraging viewers to donate some of the most needed items – peanut butter and jelly – during a month-long food drive in February. The equivalent of 125,830 meals was collected.

In March, WISN-TV partnered with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and the Boy Scouts to encourage viewers to fill bags that were left on their door with non-perishable food items. The boy scouts then went door to door to collect the food. The equivalent of 115,233 meals was collected.

KOLD-TV Holds 2nd Annual ‘Hoops for Hunger’

Date Posted: 3/23/2018

Raycom’s CBS affiliate KOLD-TV Tucson partnered with the Community Food Bank for the second annual "Hoops for Hunger" food drive, held March 5 - March 23. The campaign successfully raised 1,575 pounds of food.

NBC and Telemundo Help to Relieve Millions in Medical Debt

Date Posted: 3/12/2018

NBC and Telemundo Owned Television Stations Group have donated $150,000 to RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit working to eliminate the medical debt crisis in the country. RIP will use the station group’s donation to locate, buy and forgive $15 million of medical debt owed by individuals in 11 markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas/Fort Worth, Bay Area, Washington D.C., Boston, Miami-Fort-Lauderdale, San Diego and Hartford. Additionally, NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ consumer investigative units will report about medical debt, its effects and what people may be able to do to alleviate their situation through localized, multi-platform awareness campaigns.

"NBC and Telemundo owned stations’ commitment to helping the most vulnerable in our communities is an inspiration," said RIP co-founders Craig Antico & Jerry Ashton. "Our goal is to abolish $1 billion of medical debt in 2018, and we’re incredibly proud to have NBC and Telemundo owned stations as partners in helping us make this happen."

Beasley Media Group’s WPEG-FM Builds a Home for Local Family in Charlotte

Date Posted: 1/12/2018

Beasley Media Group’s WPEG-FM Charlotte is partnering with Habitat for Humanity for the second year in a row to build a home for a local Charlotte family. Kicking off the initiative with a live broadcast on January 12, WPEG-FM staff will continue to build the dreamhouse until completion in March 2018. Each weekend, WPEG-FM invites Charlotte residents to join the on-air personalities to help with the project.

KSWO-TV Raises Over $10,000 for Local Food Bank and Salvation Army

Date Posted: 12/9/2017

Raycom Media’s ABC affiliate station, KSWO-TV Lawton, OK., held their second annual “Share Your Christmas” event on December 9. The Oklahoma station partnered with local Walmart Super Centers to collect toys and non-perishable food items. The event raised $10,024 in donations that will benefit the Lawton Food Bank and The Salvation Army.

WCSX-FM Gets People Helping People in Detroit

Date Posted: 12/5/2017

Beasley Media Group’s WCSX-FM Detroit held their third annual “People Helping People” campaign to assist local families facing challenges this holiday season. The campaign was able to connect 35 families with listeners who were eager to help, as well as distribute $5,000 to other families in need. WCSX-FM and their listeners were able to reach 60 families with the 2017 “People Helping People” promotion.

WBEN-FM Hosts ‘Adopt A Family’ Program

Date Posted: 12/5/2017

Beasley Media Group’s WBEN-FM Philadelphia held their annual “Adopt A Family” radiothon in partnership with Volunteers of America on December 5. WBEN-FM’s radiothon successfully solicited the ‘adoption’ of over 700 families. Additionally, the radiothon helped to raise over $50,000 to benefit hundreds of families in the surrounding community through Volunteers of America Delaware Valley’s “Adopt A Family Program.”

WSAW-TV and WZAW-TV Raise Over $95,800 for The Salvation Army and The Neighbor’s Place

Date Posted: 12/1/2017

Gray-owned WSAW-TV and WZAW-LD, the CBS and Fox affiliates, respectively, in Wausau, Wis., held their 15th annual “Share Your Holidays” campaign on December 1. With WSAW-TV and WZAW-LD staff walking the Wausau Holiday Parade to collect nonperishable food items and monetary donations, the stations raised a record-breaking $95,811 to benefit the food pantries at The Salvation Army of Wausau and The Neighbors’ Place. The previous record of $90,942.72 was set in 2016.

Carroll Broadcasting Hosts Blood Drive

Date Posted: 10/31/2017

Carroll Broadcasting’s KKRL-FM, KIKD-FM and KCIM-FM hosted a Halloween themed blood drive called the "Dracula Drive" and had an overwhelming response. During the drive 88 units of blood were collected from 111 people. This is well beyond the normal attendance of 30 people at blood drives at the Life Serve Blood Center from Des Moines. The drive will benefit 264 people. “All that from a town of ten thousand was a fantastic turnout,” said Operations Manager John Ryan.

KETV Helps ’Omaha Gives’ Raise $7.8 Million

Date Posted: 7/5/2017

Hearst’s ABC affiliate KETV-TV Omaha partnered with The Omaha Community Foundation for the fifth annual “Omaha Gives,” a 24-hour on-line charity event on May 24. This year, nearly 53,000 made donations, totaling $7.8 million for 923 local organizations. In five years, Omaha Gives has become the seventh largest day of giving in the United States, raising more than $27 million.

KETV-TV also hosted the 19th annual "D.J. Hero Award Luncheon,” which highlights eight local students who have overcome incredible odds to succeed in life and are dedicated to helping others. Each student receives a college scholarship. This year’s luncheon raised $500,000 for local Salvation Army projects and featured a speech from recording artist Jewel.

KINK Raises Over $130,000 for World Concern

Date Posted: 5/3/2017

Alpha Media’s KINK-FM Portland raised $134,000 during the “One Village Transformed” radiothon on May 3. The humanitarian organization World Concern used the funds to send much needed supplies to the nearly 2,000 people living in the town of Abongo in South Sudan. The radiothon concluded with 112 donors, which exceeded the initial goal of 102. “KINK was just the loud speaker used to amplify a worthy message. Thank you KINK listeners for caring. We are all connecting. Something good was created,” said KINK Program Director Sean Demery.

WCMH-TV Collects $1.6 Million for Mid-Ohio Foodbank

Date Posted: 1/11/2017

Media General’s NBC affiliate WCMH-TV Columbus collected $1.6 million for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank in an 18-hour telethon on December 14. The funds will provide seven million meals through the Mid-Ohio Foodbank’s network of more than 650 pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, senior living centers, day care and after-school programs in 20 counties. “It’s an honor and privilege for NBC4 to partner with Mid-Ohio Food Bank to mobilize the generosity of our community for this years’ ‘Double Your Donation Day,’” said Vice President and General Manager Ken Freedman.

Photojournalist Saves Woman After Car Flips

Date Posted: 1/11/2017

Tribune’s Fox affiliate Indianapolis WXIN photojournalist Greg Dunn pulled a woman to safety after her car spun into a nearby canal. The car flipped upside down in the water, with the woman trapped inside. In this video , Dunn describes how he climbed down the side of the canal as the woman screamed for help.

KGW Collects Toys for Less Fortunate

Date Posted: 12/1/2016

Tegna’s NBC affiliate KGW-TV Portland launched its 30th annual “KGW Great Toy Drive.” The campaign collects new toys for less fortunate families in Oregon and southwest Washington and runs until December 17.

Alpha North Dallas Hosts Get Their Coat-Drive On

Date Posted: 11/4/2016

Alpha Media Dallas collected more than 3,000 coats in fourth annual “Share the Warmth Coat Drive,” held October 3 - November 4. Texas Laundry and Dry Cleaning cleaned the coats in advance of delivery on November 10 to hundreds of families. A special pick-up time was set aside for veterans. “We are proud and thrilled with the continued growth of our Share the Warmth Coat Drive and the number of people we’re now able to help,” said Alpha Media Market Manager David Smith

WFXG Collects 438 Coats

Date Posted: 10/31/2016

Raycom’s Fox affiliate WFXG Augusta, Ga. collected 438 coats for the Salvation Army in the "Coats For Our Children" drive held October 20-31. WFXG had two all-day live shot locations to highlight six drop-off locations in the market.

Alpha Media San Antonio Raises $131,000 for Thanksgiving Dinner Radiothon

Date Posted: 10/21/2016

Alpha Media San Antonio raised a record $131,000 in the ninth annual “Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner Radiothon,” held October 21. The Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner is named for a late local restaurateur who began serving meals to hundreds of people in need 36 years ago. His daughter Patricia Jimenez continues the event, which currently serves Thanksgiving Day meals to 25,000 people. "We’re appreciative of Alpha Media for hosting the radiothon for a ninth straight year and the generosity of the San Antonio community never ceases to amaze us,” Jimenez said.

WTVD Food Drive Collects a Million Meals

Date Posted: 10/18/2016

ABC-owned WTVD Durham, N.C. collected 15 large trucks of food and more than $135,000 for Hurricane Matthew relief on October 18. The drive will provide more than a million meals through the Food Bank of Eastern and Central North Carolina and the Second Harvest Food Bank in Fayetteville. ABC-owned stations in New York, L.A., Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston and Fresno, Calif., asked their viewers to donate to WTVD’s phone bank. Local iHeartMedia, RadioOne and Beasley Radio stations also promoted the event. WTVD will host its 30th annual “ABC11 Together Food Drive” later this month.

WSOY Decatur Collects 1.5 Million Pounds of Food

Date Posted: 10/11/2016

Neuhoff Communication’s WSOY-AM/FM Decatur, Ill. raised 1.4 million pounds of food in the station’s 15th Annual Food Drive, held October 11. The food benefits 10 local pantries. The station topped last year’s collection of 1.2 million pounds. In 15 years, over 7.5 million pounds of food has been collected. “For WSOY to be able to do what they do in a community the size of Decatur showcases the power of radio’s connection, the essence of human compassion and the spirit of a place that care for its own,” said Neuhoff Communications CEO Beth Neuhoff.

KKJO-FM’s “Canned Film Festival” Collects Tons of Food

Date Posted: 7/28/2016

Eagle Communication’s KKJO-FM St. Joseph’s, Mo. collected more than 13,000 pounds of food in nine weeks during the 12th annual “Canned Film Festival.” KKJO-FM partnered with a local movie theater to provide free movie admission with a non-perishable food item on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings during the summer. A total of 10,862 kids and adults participated this year. The food collected benefits the Second Harvest Community Food Bank serving Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas.

KXL Listener Helps Cops Recover Stolen Van

Date Posted: 7/21/2016

Alpha Media’s KXL-FM Portland, Ore. Aired a story on July 21 about a Los Angeles firefighter and his family, who were vacationing in the area when their camper van, filled with their clothing and belongings, had been stolen. After the family called in to KXL’s Lars Larson Show to tell their story, a listener saw the camper parked nearby and notified the police.

KXXV-TV Serves as Media Sponsor for Nonprofit Golf Event

Date Posted: 7/7/2016

Raycom Media’s KXXV-TV Waco, Tx. served as a media sponsor for the Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation’s Annual Golf Tournament, which helps transition individuals and families out of poverty. With the station’s assistance, the tournament raised $18,301.99.

KHNL Helps Feed the Hungry

Date Posted: 4/16/2016

Raycom Media’s NBC affiliate KHNL Honolulu has served as a media partner for the Hawaii Foodbank Annual Food Drive for over 25 years. This year, the station also collected 4,300 pounds of food through an internal food drive. Dozens of station employees volunteered at the April 16 event. Watch about the food drive here.

WFXT Prepares Meals for 1,200 Families

Date Posted: 4/13/2016

Cox Media Group’s WFXT-TV Boston employees and newsroom volunteers helped prepare and pack made-from-scratch meals for neighbors on April 13. The station donated healthy snacks for 1,200 families and caregivers who receive the nutritious meals from Community Servings, a local food service.

iHeartMedia Detroit Collects 240 Tons of Water

Date Posted: 2/16/2016

iHeartMedia’s WNIC-FM Detroit morning show host Jay Towers produced and hosted a water drive on Jan. 23, in conjunction with iHeartMedia’s Detroit cluster and Fox-owned WJBK-TV, to help the Flint water crisis. The stations collected 240 tons of water. The event broadcast live on WNIC-FM, WKQI-FM, WJLB-FM, WDTW-FM, WMXD-FM, WDFN-AM and WJBK-TV. Watch video.

Indianapolis Stations Deliver 20,000 Gallons of Water

Date Posted: 2/16/2016

Tribune’s Fox affiliate WXIN and CBS affiliate WTTV Indianapolis partnered with Cumulus’ WRWM-FM and WJJK-FM Indianapolis to collect bottled water for the citizens of Flint during the week of Jan. 18. The on air, online and on-site promotions resulted in 205,000 bottles of water and over 20,000 gallons of water, plus thousands of dollars in cash. On Jan. 29, six semi-trucks delivered the water to Flint.

KTTC Telethon Tops $1 Million

Date Posted: 2/16/2016

Quincy’s NBC affiliate KTTC Rochester, Minn., raised $1 million during the 62nd annual Eagles Cancer telethon, Jan. 16-17. The live event included entertainment and refreshments. All money raised funds local cancer research for the Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota and the Hormel Institute. Watch video.

KTAB Raises $1.3 Million for Rehab

Date Posted: 2/16/2016

Nexstar Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate KTAB-TV Abilene, Texas, raised $1.3 million on Jan. 16 during the West Texas Rehabilitation Telethon. Since the event’s inception, KTAB has raised $40 million for the rehab center. This year’s telethon included a silent auction, musical performances and a variety of activities.

WEAU Raises $313,000 for Cerebral Palsy

Date Posted: 2/16/2016

Gray Television’s NBC affiliate WEAU Eau Claire, Wis., raised a record $313,000 in the 36th annual United Cerebral Palsy Star Fest Telethon, held Jan. 31. WEAU continued to collect donations online. The telethon supports the hundreds of children, adults and families dealing with the challenges of disabilities in the 12-county area of West Central Wisconsin served by UCP.

Cumulus Dallas Radiothons Net $1.2 Million in 2015

Date Posted: 2/16/2016

Cumulus Media Dallas - KPLX-FM, KSCS-FM, WBAP-AM, KLIF-FM, KTCK-AM and KESN-FM - raised $1.2 million for charities in 2015. They raised $205,449 for Cook Children’s Hospital, $303,157 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and $500,400 for Austin Street Center. Additionally, they provided lifeline tornado coverage on Christmas Day and worked with the Red Cross on disaster relief. Other events supported the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, Special Olympics Texas, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), Charles E. Nash Elementary School’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Learning Center and the Denton State Supported Living Center.

WAND Brings in $350,000 for Cerebral Palsy

Date Posted: 2/16/2016

Block Communication’s NBC affiliate WAND-TV Decatur, Ill., raised $350,000 in its 15th annual telethon on Jan. 31 for United Cerebral Palsy (UCP). UCP serves people with cerebral palsy, autism, Down Syndrome and epilepsy. Due to state budget cuts, this year’s telethon was particularly important. "This telethon helps us keep our doors open and meet payroll," said UCP President Brenda Yarnell.

WDIV Supports Flint During Water Crisis

Date Posted: 2/16/2016

Graham Media Group’s NBC affiliate WDIV-TV Detroit provided in-depth coverage and community support for the Flint water crisis. WDIV collected more than $3,400 and several truckloads of bottled water. WDIV’s consumer investigative unit, "Help Me Hank," reported on the origin of the crisis, how residents coped, the National Guard’s arrival, protests at the capitol and Hurley Children’s Hospital treatment for children exposed to lead. WDIV interviewed health experts and government officials, including Governor Snyder. "The devastating water crisis in Flint reminds us just how important local television can be, especially in digging for answers, demanding solutions and aiding our community neighbors," said Director of Local Programming Laurie Oberman. Watch video.

WCCO Raises $260,000 to Kick Hunger

Date Posted: 2/4/2016

CBS Radio’s WCCO-FM Minneapolis’ seventh annual "Let’s Kick Hunger Day" radiothon on Jan. 28 raised almost $262,000, pushing the event’s seven-year total to more than $1.4 million for Second Harvest Heartland. "It’s a real honor for all of us at WCCO Radio to be a part of such a meaningful and important effort," said Market Manager Shannon Knoepke

KMEG Sioux City, Iowa, Collects Toys and Coats

Date Posted: 2/4/2016

Waitt Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate KMEG and Sinclair’s Fox affiliate KPTH Sioux City, Iowa, collected toys for more than 3,500 children this December, setting a record for the event. They also collected 1,500 coats from a dozen collection points, which were distributed through the Salvation Army of Sioux City.

Beasley Augusta, Ga., Raises $50,000

Date Posted: 2/4/2016

Beasley’s WKXC-FM Augusta, Ga., raised $50,000 in the "Rock 4 the Cops" concert, benefitting the Post Critical Incident Seminar (PCIS)’s training for police officers after traumatic incidents. The concert featured "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery and "The Voice" winner Cassadee Pope.

KSLA Collects 15,000 Pounds of Food

Date Posted: 2/1/2016

Raycom’s CBS affiliate KSLA-TV Shreveport, LA hosted its third annual Holiday Food Drive on Dec. 2. At six locations in our three-state market area that covers parts of Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas, the station collected more than 15,000 pounds of food in 13 hours.

"Happiness is a warm BLANKET DRIVE" in Augusta!

Date Posted: 1/20/2016

Beasley Media Group and “Just Beds” Stores teamed to collect more than 300 blankets for those in need in Augusta, GA, thanks to ReStart Augusta, which furnishes the foundation for a good start on the day and a healthy life by providing a new or gently used bed and bedding for local children, families and veterans who cannot afford them.

KKHH-FM Helps Teachers Buy Supplies

Date Posted: 1/14/2016

CBS Radio’s KKHH-FM Houston and Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union (GCEFCU) surprised elementary school teacher Rafael Carballo with $500 for school supplies on November 19. KKHH morning show host Sarah Pepper launched the "Sarah Pepper Cares" initiative so local students can nominate teachers each month.

WMDH-FM Secret Santas Visit 372 Families

Date Posted: 1/14/2016

Cumulus’ WMDH-FM Muncie, Ind.’s "Secret Families Day," held December 5, provided 372 families with a Christmas tree, decorations, food, cleaning supplies and gifts for each family member. More than 1,000 volunteers delivered $200,000 in goods on "Secret Families Day."

CBS Radio Packs 9,250 Meals

Date Posted: 1/14/2016

Team members at CBS Radio Dallas’ KJKK-FM, KLUV-FM, KMVK-FM, KRLD-FM, KRLD-AM and KVIL-FM donated their time to pack 9,250 meals in the North Texas Food Bank warehouse on December 9.

WMC Helps Feed the Hungry

Date Posted: 12/17/2015

Raycom Media’s WMC-TV Memphis partnered with the Mid-South Food Bank for the “WMC Action News 5 Holiday Food Drive.” The day-long event collected more than 25,000 pounds of food and more than $60,000, which translates to more than 200,000 meals.

WCSX Detroit Holds Auction for Fallen Trooper

Date Posted: 10/19/2015

Greater Media’s WCSX-FM Detroit hosted an online charity auction from September 2-4 to benefit the family of Michigan State Trooper Chad Wolf, who died while on duty on August 28. Proceeds went to a GoFundMe account for Wolf’s family, which totaled nearly $175,000. Auction items included guitars autographed by Detroit rock legend Bob Seger, Eddie Money and Creedence Clearwater Revisited, plus signed Detroit Pistons merchandise. WCSX posted this video tribute to Wolf, who left behind a wife and four children.

WZSR-FM Takes a Stand Against Domestic Violence

Date Posted: 9/14/2015

Digity LLC’s WZSR-FM Woodstock, IL hosted the 10th annual Take a Stand for Turning Point, which benefits victims of domestic violence. During August 14 and 15, area residents had the opportunity to listen to acoustic performances from local musicians, watch an outdoor movie and participate in a family fun day.

WBT Collects 3,000 Pounds of Peanut Butter

Date Posted: 9/3/2015

Greater Media’s WBT-AM Charlotte, N.C., partnered with Harris Teeter and Jif on "Peanut Butter ‘N’ July" to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. Peanut butter is one of the most valuable commodities for a food bank due to high levels of protein. Each Saturday in July, WBT hosts visited participating Harris Teeter stores to help collect peanut butter and promote the drive. Click here to watch the recap. This year, WBT collected 3,099 pounds of peanut butter, which is almost 5,000 jars.

Salem Radio Network Spotlights Crisis In Haiti

Date Posted: 8/3/2015

Salem Radio Network Vice President News and Talk Tom Tradup recently traveled to Haiti to spearhead the network’s coverage of the country’s major humanitarian crisis and to work with the charity Food For The Poor. Salem Radio Network personalities who broadcast live reports from the refugee situation in Haiti included syndicated hosts Bill Bennett, Mike Gallagher and Hugh Hewitt, plus local hosts Joe Piscopo of WNYM-AM New York, and Mark Davis and Jon-David Wells of KSKY-AM Dallas.

Radio Helps a Colleague in Need

Date Posted: 8/3/2015

Morgan Murphy Media’s KZZU-FM Spokane Program Director and morning show host Ken Hopkins lost the use of his legs in a bike accident on July 13. Despite having no feeling below his chest, he plans to return to KZZU as soon as possible. Colleague Dave Sposito set up A GoFundMe site, which has raised $15,000 for his medical bills. Hopkins is an integral part of the KZZU family, having been with the station since before it flipped to KZZU in September 1984.

WIBX-AM Raises $2,000 to Replace Veteran’s Prosthesis

Date Posted: 5/6/2015

Townsquare Media’s WIBX-AM Utica, NY raised $2,000 needed to replace a prosthetic eye that had been stolen from a veteran. Within the first 90 minutes of the station’s broadcast, $1,800 was raised. A station host donated the remaining $200.

Bismarck TV Station Recognized by United Way

Date Posted: 1/30/2015

Reiten Television’s CBS affiliate KXMB-TV Bismarck, ND was recognized by the Missouri Valley Slope United Way in January for its efforts in the KX Cares Food Pantry Drive during the 2014 holiday season. The United Way recognized the efforts of volunteers and businesses, including KXMB-TV, for raising $2.5 million for the local community.

WHO-AM Passes out 5,000 Pork Loins

Date Posted: 1/13/2015

iHeartMedia’s WHO-AM Des Moines, Iowa morning hosts Van Harden and Bonnie Lucas gave away 5,000 packaged pork loins on Dec. 17 for those in need this holiday season. The drive-through giveaway, held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, attracted thousands. Watch the video here.

KNOE Starts Red Kettle Challenge

Date Posted: 12/15/2014

Gray Television’s CBS affiliate KNOE Monroe, La. raised $3,000 for the Salvation Army during the Red Kettle Challenge. Salvation Army’s Red Kettles are placed throughout the city for local citizens to donate.

WMGK-FM’s John DeBella Turkey Drop Provides More Than 10,000 Thanksgiving Turkeys

Date Posted: 12/4/2014

Greater Media’s WMGK-FM Bala Cynwyd, Pa., hosted its 13th Annual John DeBella Turkey Drop on Nov. 25. During morning host John DeBella’s live broadcast at Philadelphia’s Love Park, WMGK-FM accepted monetary and turkey donations. The John DeBella Turkey Drop benefits City Team Philadelphia, which provides food and services to individuals, families and shelters. In 2013, the event raised over 9,000 turkeys. The 2014 Turkey Drop raised 10,685 turkeys for needy individuals and families. City Team Philadelphia provides holiday meals for more than 70 organizations and has seen a record number of sign-ups for holiday meal assistance in 2014.

KTVK-TV Phoenix Fights Childhood Hunger

Date Posted: 12/4/2014

Meredith Broadcasting owned-and-operated KTVK-TV Phoenix, Ariz., raised over $290,000 in cash and food donations, four times last year’s total, in its 2nd Annual Battle Against Childhood Hunger. In Arizona, one in four children struggle with hunger every day. This year, recipients included Association of Arizona Food Banks, AZBrainFood, Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, Kitchen on the Street and St. Mary’s Food Bank.

San Antonio Listeners Wrap 5,000 Gifts

Date Posted: 12/4/2014

Alpha Media’s KTSA-AM San Antonio, Texas, and its five sister stations raised $128,000 during the 7th annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner Radiothon to support San Antonio’s A Feast of the Heart. The program started 35 years ago, when late restaurant owner Raul Jimenez served free Thanksgiving dinners to more than 200 needy people. This year, the event served more than 25,000 people. "We associate our stations with so many wonderful organizations, but this one is one of the most genuine," said Operations Manager Greg Martin.

WBRZ Collects Thousands of Meals and Coats for Families

Date Posted: 12/4/2014

Manship Station’s ABC affiliate WBRZ Baton Rouge, La., held its 30th annual Feed-A-Family food drive in October. Volunteers delivered the donations to a local food bank, where they were stored before distribution. On Oct. 24, Feed-A-Family Friday, the station raised over $25,000 and almost 69,000 pounds of food. This will provide 186,000 meals. WBRZ also held its Pat’s Coats for Kids Coat Drive in November. So far, WBRZ raised more than $33,000.

WOIO-TV, WUAB-TV Raise $180,000 for Make-A-Wish

Date Posted: 9/8/2014

Raycom Media’s CBS affiliate WOIO-TV and MyNetworkTV affiliate WUAB-TV Cleveland partnered with Make-A-Wish Foundation to sponsor the annual "Walk for Wishes" to help children with life-threatening medical conditions. WOIO-TV anchor Denise Dufala helped to kick off the event, which involved more than 2,100 walkers, sponsors and volunteers. In total, WOIO-TV and WUAB-TV helped raise more than $180,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation.

CBS Radio Dallas Employees Volunteer at Area Food Banks

Date Posted: 9/8/2014

CBS Radio Dallas employees spent the afternoon of August 5 volunteering at area food banks as part of a team-wide day of community service. Eighty-two employees worked together in the warehouses of the North Texas Food Bank and the Tarrant Area Food Bank to help provide nearly 13,000 meals for hungry North Texans.

Entravision Raises $2.1 Million for Children’s Miracle Network

Date Posted: 9/8/2014

Entravision Communications Corporation hosted its seventh annual three-day radiothon for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. This year’s event, themed "Un Million Para Los Niños" (One Million for the Children), kicked off on August 21, broadcasting live from the lobby of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to more than 69 cities across the country via Entravision’s syndicated radio programming, online and mobile platforms. Through its radiothon, Entravision helped raise $2.1 million for 24 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

North Carolina Stations Raise $112,000 to Fight Local Hunger

Date Posted: 8/12/2014

Capitol Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate WRAL-TV Raleigh and Radio One’s Raleigh cluster partnered for a week-long initiative called "HungerFreeNC" to raise awareness of North Carolina’s hunger crisis. The campaign included a 13-hour fundraiser that was broadcast live on TV and radio and was highlighted on digital and social media. In addition, WRAL-TV produced and aired a documentary, "Hungry for Answers," that uncovered the invisible hunger epidemic in the state and showcased creative solutions to combat the issue. The program also ran on Capitol Broadcasting’s FOX affiliate WRAZ-TV Raleigh and its CBS affiliate WILM-TV Wilmington, N.C. In total, "HungerFreeNC" raised more than $112,000 to benefit the local nonprofit Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.

WFNC-AM Donates Fans to Heat-Stricken N.C. Residents

Date Posted: 8/12/2014

Cumulus Media’s WFNC-AM Fayetteville, N.C., has been collecting box fans during the summer for the last 20 years to help local residents who cannot afford air conditioning or a fan in their homes. Most of the listener-donated fans are given to the elderly who are among the most heat-sensitive. More than 35 fans were donated this July. In a typical year, WFNC-AM distributes between 300 and 500 fans.

VAB Announces Year-Long Campaign Against Hunger

Date Posted: 8/11/2014

The Virginia Association of Broadcasters (VAB) launched a year-long, statewide food drive and hunger awareness campaign called "Feeding Virginia." More than 150 radio and television stations across Virginia are participating in the initiative, in partnership with the First Lady of Virginia, Dorothy McAuliffe. Broadcasters will air a variety of PSAs throughout the year, as part of the "Feeding Virginia" campaign, and stations will host several food drives to benefit the state’s seven regional food banks.

WRAL-TV Hosts Statewide Discussion on Domestic Violence

Date Posted: 8/11/2014

Capitol Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate WRAL-TV Raleigh recently hosted a two-hour panel discussion on domestic violence and sexual assault that streamed live on its website. The campaign, called "eNOugh," was the first multimedia, statewide initiative to raise awareness about violence against women across all levels of society. WRAL-TV said the initiative aimed to educate, connect and inspire people who are touched by the problem of domestic abuse.

WSFA-TV Collects 73,000 Pounds of Food for Alabamians

Date Posted: 8/11/2014

Raycom Media’s NBC affiliate WSFA-TV Montgomery, Ala., hosted the Summer Fund and Food Drive to benefit the Montgomery Area Food Bank. The station helped collect non-perishable food items and monetary donations to help feed those in need across Alabama. WSFA-TV promoted the drive, broadcast live from the event and WSFA-TV anchors helped collect donations. In total, WSFA-TV helped collect 2,599 pounds of food and $11,000, which will purchase a total of 73,000 pounds of food.

Inland Northwest Broadcasting Raises Hundreds of Pounds of Food for Idaho Nonprofits

Date Posted: 8/11/2014

Ida-Vend/Inland Northwest Broadcasting’s radio cluster in Lewiston, Idaho, recently hosted the "Four Hour Food Drive" to collect food and money for four local, nonprofit organizations. Each nonprofit was given an hour of radio airtime to solicit donations, and the charity with the most items collected would receive $4,000 in free radio advertising. In total, the drive raised more than 430 pounds of canned food and hundreds of additional household items.

Cincinnati Food Drive Nets 27,000 Pounds of Food

Date Posted: 6/22/2014

Hearst Television’s NBC affiliate WLWT-TV partnered with the Cincinnati Reds and St. Vincent de Paul on a food drive. The event, held June 20-21 at Great American Ballpark collected more than 27,000 pounds of food. The donation was 75 per cent more the record-setting drive in 2013, which collected 15,600 pounds. "We are tremendously grateful to the Reds, WLWT and Reds fans for a record-breaking food drive,” said St. Vincent de Paul of Cincinnati Executive Director Liz Carter. "During the summer months, kids don’t receive school lunches. St. Vincent de Paul is a vital source of food for families across Cincinnati." In 2013, St. Vincent de Paul provided food to more than 100,000 people in Cincinnati.

KGMB-TV Helps Hawaii Food Bank Raise 1 Million Meals

Date Posted: 6/9/2014

Raycom Media’s CBS affiliate KGMB-TV Honolulu supported the Hawaii Food Bank Annual Food Drive. In April, the station produced and aired a 15-second "Good Things PSA" for several weeks, which encouraged viewers to bring canned meals and monetary donations to the Food Drive. The PSA featured KGMB-TV’s morning anchor Steve Uyehara. In addition, several KGMB-TV anchors donated their time at the Food Drive, volunteering at a dunking booth to help raise money for the Food Bank. KGMB-TV also produced two 30-second PSAs to promote the event, along with a five-minute presentation for the organization’s kick-off breakfast. This year’s Food Drive raised 1 million meals, according to the Hawaii Food Bank.

WFAA-TV Collects Thousands of Wedding Dresses to Make Angel Gowns for BabieS

Date Posted: 5/14/2014

Gannett’s ABC affiliate WFAA-TV Dallas reporter Janet St. James recently reported on a local nonprofit, NICU Helping Hands, whose mission is to take donated wedding gowns and turn them in to beautiful Angel Gowns. These gowns serve as burial and baptismal gowns for babies who do not make it home from the hospital. After posting the story on WFAA-TV’s Facebook page, the outpouring of viewers who wanted to donate their dresses led to a one-week, wedding dress donation drive at the station. Over 1,000 wedding dresses were donated locally, and since the story went viral, over 3,000 wedding dresses have been donated from across the country. Each donated dress will make approximately 12 Angel Gowns. NICU Helping Hands volunteers estimate their warehouse now holds enough wedding dresses to make over 40,000 Angel Gowns. Click here to watch video of the dress drive.

KVOA-TV Collects 13,000 Toys for Tucson Kids

Date Posted: 2/11/2014

Cordillera Communications’ NBC affiliate KVOA-TV Tucson partnered with local advertisers for the fifth annual Kristi’s Kids Season 4 Hope campaign to collect a variety of items for area children. The event collected more than 13,000 toys, 12,000 pounds of food and enough clothing for 5,000 people. All the donations were distributed to families in Southern Arizona.

CBS Stations Aid Victims after Fire in Washington Metro Area

Date Posted: 2/11/2014

CBS Radio Washington and Gannett-owned CBS affiliate WUSA-TV Washington partnered with Safeway and the Women Who Care Ministries to collect donations for victims of a local fire that killed a four-year-old boy and displaced 40 others. Click here to watch video from the fundraiser.

KING-TV Collects 4.5 Million Meals During a Recent Food Drive

Date Posted: 2/11/2014

Gannett-owned NBC affiliate KING-TV Seattle held the 13th annual Home Team Harvest food drive to collect meals for those in need in the Western Washington community. The 2013 drive collected a record 4.5 million meals, which have been donated to hundreds of food banks and meal programs in Washington state. "We are so appreciative of KING 5 viewers who donated to Home Team Harvest," said Shelly Rotondo, CEO of Northwest Harvest, a local food pantry. "The need for food is high, but so is the generosity of people here."

WCCO-AM Raises $250,000 for Minnesota Hunger Relief

Date Posted: 2/11/2014

CBS Radio’s WCCO-AM Minneapolis hosted its fifth annual "Let’s Kick Hunger Day" radiothon to generate awareness of hunger in the heartland and to raise funds to help end it. The all-day event raised more than $250,000 for hunger relief, pushing WCCO-AM’s five-year total for the event to more than $1 million. All proceeds were donated to Second Harvest Heartland, one of the nation’s largest food banks.

Idaho Broadcasters Donate Food and Warm Clothes to Locals

Date Posted: 2/11/2014

Inland Northwest Broadcasting Radio stations in Lewiston, Idaho, held its Holiday Heroes Food Drive in late December to support local families in need. The broadcast group collected more than 200 bags of packaged food, which were paired with frozen turkeys and hams. The food was distributed at the Salvation Army, along with donated coats, gloves, hats and other warm clothes.

WYFF-TV

Date Posted: 2/11/2014

Idaho Broadcaster Donates Food and Warm Clothes to Locals

Hearst-owned NBC affiliate WYFF-TV Greenville, S.C., raised more than $172,000 in donations for two local charities during the holiday season. WYFF-TV partnered with The Greenville News for the Holiday Sunshine Fund. The station provided daily newscast mentions, a call-in effort and news stories to highlight the fundraiser. The effort collected $82,000 to help families with their heating bills, shelter and food this winter. WYFF-TV also partnered with the local Children’s Hospital for the Virtual Toy Drive. The effort raised $90,000 in donations to purchase toys for children in the hospital.

KZZI-FM Raises $45,000 for Local Ranchers Who Lost Livestock

Date Posted: 2/11/2014

Duhamel Broadcasting’s KZZI-FM Rapid City, S.D., recently hosted a three-day fundraiser to support local ranchers that were affected by a blizzard in October. The storm dumped more than four feet of snow in parts of western South Dakota and killed more than 100,000 cattle and livestock. Through KZZI-FM’s radiothon, the Ranchers Relief Fundraiser raised nearly $45,000 from listener pledges and donations from local businesses.

KAZT-TV Supports Efforts to End Domestic Violence in Phoenix

Date Posted: 2/11/2014

Independently-owned KAZT-TV Phoenix recently became the 2014 media partner for the Sojourner Center, the largest women’s domestic violence shelter in Arizona. Statistics show that nearly one out of four women is abused in their lifetime. The Sojourner Center sheltered and supported more than 1,500 women and children this past year. KAZT-TV is helping to spearhead an effort to bring awareness, aid and hopefully an end to domestic violence in the future. This past holiday season, for example, KAZT-TV was instrumental in donating hundreds of items to the Center, including more than 1,000 toys for young victims of domestic violence.

KRGV-TV Hosts Several Drives to Support South Texans

Date Posted: 2/11/2014

Manship Stations’ ABC affiliate KRGV-TV Weslaco, Texas, hosted several events to make the holidays brighter for those less fortunate. For two weeks, KRGV-TV held the "Sharing Basket" food drive which collected enough meals for 2,700 families. The KRGV-TV Toy Drive also collected more than $10,000 to buy toys that were distributed to children in foster care, local hospitals and in low income communities along the Texas-Mexico border. In addition to these drives, the station is currently holding its "Tim’s Coats" drive to collect new and slightly worn coats. The project began in October and runs until March. So far, KRGV-TV has collected 4,000 coats and 400 hats.

KWTX-TV Collects 1.9 Million Lbs. of Food for Local Pantries

Date Posted: 2/11/2014

Gray Television’s CBS affiliate KWTX-TV Waco, Texas, partnered with the Boy Scouts of America, the Texas Army National Guard and the H.E.B. Grocery Company to host the 24th annual Food for Families drive to collect non-perishable items for local food banks and pantries. The event gathered 1.4 million pounds of food. Over the past 24 years, KWTX-TV and its partners have collected more than 19 million pounds of donations.

KRAI-AM/FM Collects $28,000, 2,000 Toys and 5,000 Lbs. of Food

Date Posted: 1/10/2014

Wild West Radio’s KRAI-AM/FM Craig, Colo., held its 15th annual Holiday Drive. The stations broadcast live in front of a local shopping mall from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. for two days. With just over 10,000 residents in Craig, Colo., KRAI-AM/FM was thrilled to collect more than $28,000 in cash, 2,000 toys and 5,000 pounds of food during the drive. Additionally, the station was grateful for the support of more than 200 volunteers who made the Holiday Drive such a success.

CBS Radio Dallas Packs 23,000 Meals for Local Families

Date Posted: 1/10/2014

On “Giving Tuesday,” December 3, employees of CBS Radio Dallas-Fort Worth volunteered their time at the North Texas Food Bank. Team members sorted and packed dozens of pallets of food items, producing more than 23,000 meals for local families in need.

WGAL-TV Collects $232,000 and Thousands of Coats

Date Posted: 1/10/2014

Hearst-owned NBC affiliate WGAL-TV Lancaster, Pa., hosted the "Coats for Kids Telethon," to benefit Salvation Army branches throughout the Susquehanna Valley. This year marked the station’s 26th annual coat drive and the 19th year for the telethon. In total, the event raised more than $232,000, in addition to thousands of coats that were donated at several Salvation Army locations.

Emmis’ WQHT-FM Hosts Holiday Feast for 200 New Yorkers

Date Posted: 1/10/2014

Emmis Communications’ WQHT-FM New York held a day of service, "Lift ’Em Up," a celebration to give the less fortunate a first-class evening of gourmet food and holiday entertainment. Emmis staff, along with several partner organizations and volunteers, provided a dinner feast and holiday market for 200 New Yorkers in need, as well as a raffle and performances from several well-known artists. Video of the event is available here.

WAAF-FM Rises Up Against Hunger, Collecting $80,000 for New England Food Banks

Date Posted: 1/10/2014

Entercom’s WAAF-FM Boston hosted the "Rise Up Against Hunger" event in December. For three days, two WAAF-FM personalities "rose up" on lifts and lived on platforms suspended in the sky in an effort to raise funds for the Greater Boston, Worcester County and New Hampshire Food Banks. For more than two decades, the station’s personalities have enlisted themselves in physically challenging stunts to encourage listeners to support area food banks. This year’s event raised $80,255, enough to provide 189,401 meals to those in need.

WAWZ-FMWAWZ-FM Delivers 7,500 Pairs of Socks to Locals in Need

Date Posted: 1/10/2014

Pillar of Fire’s WAWZ-FM Somerset, N.J., partnered with Passione Legwear to distribute new socks to thousands of local people in need during the holiday season. WAWZ-FM staff, along with the Passione Legwear staff and volunteers from 15 local charities in the New Jersey and New York listening area packed 7,500 pairs of socks for delivery.

WMGK-FM Philadelphia’s Turkey Drop Collects 9,462 Turkeys

Date Posted: 12/6/2013

Greater Media’s WMGK-FM Philadelphia’s morning host John DeBella held the 12th annual John DeBella Turkey Drop. WMGK-FM staff collected donations for turkeys in 10 locations across the city. The one-day drive raised enough funds to purchase 9,462 turkeys. All proceeds were donated to Cityteam Philadelphia, an organization that provides holiday meals and other services to less fortunate individuals and families in the area.

Scripps’s WXYZ-TV collects 13,200 Pounds of Food

Date Posted: 12/6/2013

Scripps Media’s ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV Detroit held the Together We Can food drive to help fight hunger in Detroit during the holiday season. Throughout the month of November, viewers were encouraged to drop off non-perishable items at locations across the Detroit metro area. In total, the campaign collected more than 13,200 pounds of food, which was distributed to local soup kitchens, shelters and pantries.

Entercom Buffalo Collects 1,700 Turkeys During One-Day Drive

Date Posted: 12/6/2013

Entercom’s Buffalo radio stations teamed up with the Buffalo Sabres to hold a Thanksgiving turkey drive on November 21 to benefit local food pantries. For every turkey dropped off for the drive at the Entercom Buffalo offices, the Sabres gave away two tickets to an upcoming game to the donor. In total, 1,700 turkeys were donated, and 4,000 tickets were distributed.

Saga Stations Collect Record 577,000 Meals in Chesapeake

Date Posted: 12/6/2013

Saga Communications’ WNOR-FM and WAFX-FM Chesapeake, Va., hosted the 17th annual Mayflower Marathon Food Drive. The three-day event collected a record 577,678 meals for those in need in the Chesapeake area. All food and monetary donations went to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula.

WGIR-FM, WHEB-FM Raise $82,000 for Locals in Need

Date Posted: 12/6/2013

Clear Channel’s WGIR-FM Manchester and WHEB-FM Portsmouth, N.H., along with Saga Communication’s WKNE-FM Keene, NH and a few other local radio stations broadcast the 23rd annual Lend a Helping Can Radiothon hosted by New Hampshire’s morning show, "Greg & The Morning Buzz." The two-day event raised more than $82,000, and the proceeds were given to 11 local agencies that feed New Hampshire’s needy and homeless.

WCMT-AM/FM Collects $20,000 for Special Needs Adults

Date Posted: 12/6/2013

Thunderbolt Broadcasting’s WCMT-AM/FM Martin, Tenn., hosts Chris Brinkley and Paul Tinkle of the "Good Times in the Morning" program held a four-hour radiothon for the local St. John’s Community Development Services Center. The event raised $17,000 for St. John’s CDS, which serves approximately 100 special needs adults and provides opportunities for them to perform skills that allow them to remain productive in society. An additional $3,200 was mailed or delivered to the radio station. The total campaign raised more than $20,000.

Gannett’s KUSA-TV Collects 586,000 Meals for Denver Residents

Date Posted: 12/6/2013

Gannett’s NBC affiliate KUSA-TV Denver held the 31st annual 9Cares Colorado Shares Food Drive. Viewers were invited to donate food and money at one of 35 locations on November 16. The drive collected enough food and cash donations to purchase 586,000 meals for Denver residents in need. The food was distributed to 100 food banks across Colorado. Click here to watch video from the drive.

WBAL-TV Gives Away 840 Coats to Baltimore Kids in Need

Date Posted: 12/6/2013

Hearst’s NBC affiliate WBAL-TV Baltimore held a Coats for Kids event to provide new coats to needy children. Twenty Baltimore nonprofits submitted the names of children in the region who needed coats to the station. As part of the broader WBAL Kid Campaign, WBAL-TV raised money from viewers and then negotiated with the local Burlington Coat Factory store to purchase the 840 coats. WBAL-TV’s staff filled their orders, and then hosted an event to give away the new coats to the children.

WHUR-FM Raises $101,000 and a Truck Full of Food for DC Residents

Date Posted: 12/6/2013

The Howard University Radio Network’s WHUR-FM Washington broadcast the 36th annual Food2Feed radiothon to help feed families in the Washington, DC area. WHUR-FM broadcast live from the Old Post Office Pavilion for 12 hours, encouraging listeners to make monetary donations or drop off non-perishable items. The radiothon raised more than $101,000 and a tractor-trailer filled with canned food and other items. The Capital Area Food Bank and Shabach Ministries Inc. distributed the baskets of food to families in need.

WWTN-FM’s Radiothon Raises S111,000 for Those in Need in Nashville

Date Posted: 12/6/2013

Cumulus Media’s WWTN-FM Nashville hosted the Hunger to Hope Radiothon to support the Nashville Rescue Mission which provides food, clothing and shelter to Nashville’s poor and homeless. WWTN-FM broadcast commercial-free for 14 hours outside the Rescue Mission, challenging listeners to donate to those in need. In total, the radiothon raised more than $111,000.

Belo’s KTVK-TV Raises $66,000 to Fight Childhood Hunger

Date Posted: 11/12/2013

Belo’s KTVK-TV Phoenix teamed up with three local grocery store chains to battle childhood hunger in Arizona. Throughout the month of September, all Bashas, Food City and Safeway stores in Arizona collected donations at their registers. The goal of the campaign was to raise enough funds to provide 1 million meals for Arizona’s hungry children. In total, KTVK-TV’s childhood hunger campaign collected more than $66,000. All the proceeds were donated to five local food banks.

Central Ohio Broadcasters Unite to Fight Poverty

Date Posted: 11/12/2013

Columbus, Ohio, broadcasters including Media General’s NBC affiliate WCMH-TV, Sinclair’s ABC affiliate WSYX-TV, Cunningham Broadcasting’s Fox affiliate WTTE-TV and Dispatch Broadcasting’s WBNS-TV partnered with the United Way to raise awareness of poverty in central Ohio and to inspire the community to unite to fight it. On October 10, broadcasters created a day-long roadblock to flood the market with United Way messaging and stories during newscasts. Anchors from all four stations were also featured together in TV and print ads.

WEBQ-FM Saves a Local Homeless Shelter

Date Posted: 11/12/2013

Withers Broadcasting-owned WEBQ-FM, Harrisburg, Ill. saved the 4Cs Homeless Shelter, from shutting down on October 31. The $40,000 in donations and pledges that were raised during WEBQ-FM’s eight-hour radiothon was enough to keep the shelter open for almost a year. "The airwaves have power, and [we have] the proof [through events like this],” said Sonny Dotson, WEBQ-FM sales manager in a story that aired on Harrisburg’s WPSD-TV. "

CBS Radio’s Phoenix Stations Collect $476,000 for Families

Date Posted: 9/10/2013

CBS Radio’s KMLE-FM, KZON-FM and KOOL-FM Phoenix hosted several drives at a local mall and numerous Dunkin’ Donuts stores to collect donations for the firefighters’ families. The largest contributions came from the Country Cares Concert, which CBS Radio’s Phoenix stations hosted in partnership with another local radio station. The concert, featuring Arizona native Dierks Bentley, raised more than $476,000. All of the proceeds were donated to the United Phoenix Firefighters Charities, which will be distributed to the families of the 19 fallen firefighters.

KNXV-TV Phone Bank Raises $121,000 for Firefighters’ Families

Date Posted: 9/10/2013

Scripps-owned KNXV-TV Phoenix held a phone bank to raise money for the 100 Club of Arizona, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to Arizona public safety agencies, officers, firefighters, paramedics, and their families. Local firefighters answered the phone and collected donations from KNXV-TV’s viewers. At the end of the evening, $121,000 was raised. The money will be used to assist survivors, covering the costs for flights of family members of the victims, helping injured firefighters, and purchasing replacement equipment for the Prescott Fire Department.

Greater Media’s Charlotte Station Collects 1,083 Pounds of Peanut Butter for Local Food Bank

Date Posted: 8/8/2013

Greater Media’s WBT-AM Charlotte, N.C., partnered with Harris Teeter and Jif for the second annual "Peanut Putter ’N July" campaign to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina this summer. High on protein, peanut butter is one of the most valuable commodities for a food bank and is one of the most requested items for those who benefit from their services. WBT-AM set up donation bins in 37 locations to collect jars of peanut butter. On air personalities made appearances at several locations on Saturdays throughout the month. In total, 1,083 pounds of peanut butter were collected.

WYFF-TV Exposes Domestic Violence in South Carolina

Date Posted: 8/8/2013

Hearst-owned WYFF-TV Greenville, S.C., recently produced a TV special, "Chronicle: Living in Fear," which highlighted the alarming rate of domestic violence in the state. The program explained that one in four women in the United States will become a victim of criminal domestic violence in their lifetime, and South Carolina ranks second in the country for the number of women killed by their partners. By raising awareness to the issue, WYFF-TV aims to reduce the staggering statistics.

CBS Radio’s WPGC-FM Washington Donates Truckloads of Water to Those in Need

Date Posted: 8/8/2013

CBS Radio’s WPGC-FM Washington, D.C., stepped up in a big way when a record summer heat wave and a water main repair left many area residents in Prince George’s County in need of drinking water. WPGC-FM donated truckloads of bottled water to those in need. The station set up three distribution points and invited listeners to come and receive a free gallon of water. Senior citizens were served first, followed by the members of the general public. Photos from the event are available here.

KOMU-TV Launches Poverty Awareness Campaign in Missouri

Date Posted: 8/8/2013

Independently-owned KOMU-TV Columbia, Mo., has launched "Poverty in Plain Sight," a special multiyear initiative that aims to understand and address poverty in Mid-Missouri. The campaign will include a series of news reports on poverty and its associated effects on issues including education, crime, health care, housing, transportation and hunger. "The statistics were startling, and we felt compelled to act in a public service capacity in hopes that we could draw attention to this crisis in our area," said KOMU-TV’s General Manager Marty Siddall.

KERO-TV, KZKC-TV Stuff the Bus

Date Posted: 5/10/2013

The E.W. Scripps Company’s KERO-TV and KZKC-TV Bakersfield, CA collected 41,550 pounds of food during the Stuff the Bus Food Drive, setting an event record. The event garnered 37,778 pounds last year and about 35,000 pounds in 2011. All donations benefit the Community Action Partnership of Kern Food Bank. Local radio stations aired PSAs and broadcast live from the event.

WTKS-FM Host Connects Missing Orlando Boy With His Family

Date Posted: 3/1/2013

Clear Channel-owned WTKS-FM Orlando’s "The Bucket Show" helped reunite a mentally disabled 13-year-old boy after he wandered away from the residential facility in which he lives. The boy’s stepfather called WTKS-FM and asked for help to get the word out about his missing son. WTKS-FM posted the boy’s picture and information online. Within two hours, the boy was spotted by a listener and reunited with his family.

Radio Helps a Colleague in Need

Morgan Murphy Media’s KZZU-FM Spokane Program Director and morning show host Ken Hopkins lost the use of his legs in a bike accident on July 13. Despite having no feeling below his chest, he plans to return to KZZU as soon as possible. Colleague Dave Sposito set up A GoFundMe site, which has raised $15,000 for his medical bills. Hopkins is an integral part of the KZZU family, having been with the station since before it flipped to KZZU in September 1984.

WZPW Collects 250 Blankets for Winter

To help those in need stay warm through the long winter season, WZPW-FM in Peoria, Ill., hosted its second annual “Blanket Peoria” charity blanket drive. During the month-long campaign, the station broadcast live six times from drop off locations throughout the community and played hundreds of live and recorded promos. In addition, WZPW dedicated a section of its Web site to the cause, posting maps to drop off locations and a running tally of blankets collected. In the end, 250 blankets were collected, a total more than double the original goal. The blankets were distributed to three local charities that care for the needy: the Southside Mission, Crittenton Center and Children’s Home. “I feel so blessed that I have a warm house to live in during the winter months. Not everyone in central Illinois is as lucky” said Jason Parkinson, station program director. "The response from our listeners has been overwhelming. We can’t thank the community enough for helping us provide warmth for so many."

WQKL-FM Collects 258 Tons of Food

The staff at WQKL-FM in Ann Arbor, Mich., braved cold weather and long hours to help bring in a record-setting 258 tons of food during Rockin’ for the Hungry, the area’s largest food drive. For five days, the station broadcast live from outside a local grocery store, greeting community members and announcing donations on air as they came in. The station also gave out prizes, ranging from water bottles to concert tickets, in exchange for pledges and created a page on their Web site. Donated food was given to Food Gatherers, the area’s largest food rescue organization, which has experienced 35 percent increase in demand this year. In a statement to WQKL and Rockin’ for the Hungry’s other partners, Eileen Spring, president and CEO of Food Gatherers wrote, “On behalf of all the people seeking food assistance this year, we are so grateful. When we needed you most, you rose to the challenge."

WNKS Launches ’Homeless for the Holidays’ Campaign

Afternoon drive host Otis from WNKS-FM in Charlotte, N.C., launched a “Homeless for the Holidays” campaign to raise awareness of the poverty and hunger facing locals. The on-air personality lived on the streets by the Epicenter for five days, where he broadcast his show live and collected food and money with representatives from Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. He also showed his listeners how their donations could make a difference through an online video blog featuring visits to an area soup kitchen and shelter. By the end of the week, listeners had donated more than $7,600 and more than 600 pounds of food. “Second Harvest Food Bank is so appreciative of WNKS and Otis for helping educate the community about the problems of poverty and homelessness in our region,” said Kay Carter, executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. “In the 19 counties we serve, there are over 370,000 people living in poverty.”

Salem Radio Raises Funds for America’s Hungry

Talk hosts from Salem Radio Network in Irving, Texas, teamed with Feed the Children to raise money to for America’s hungry. Even amid a weak economy, listeners of Bill Bennett’s “Morning in America,” “The Mike Gallagher Show,” “The Dennis Prager Show,” “The Michael Medved Show,” “The Hugh Hewitt Show” and Janet Parshall’s “America” donated more than $200,000 during the week-long campaign. The sum is enough to feed more than 40,000 families of four for an entire week. “We are doing double, even triple, the donations generated last year,” said Tom Tradup, vice president of news and programming at Salem Radio Network. “This is proof of the one-on-one bond that Salem Radio Network talk hosts have with their audience and the inherent generosity of the American people.”

WLEN-FM Supports Lost Boys’ Reward Fund with Listeners’ Love Songs

Lenawee Broadcasting’s WLEN-FM Adrian, Mich., launched the Share Your Heart campaign this Valentine’s Day inviting listeners to send love song dedications, for a $5 fee. Proceeds from the fundraiser went to the Morenci Reward Fund for Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton, local brothers ages 5, 7 and 9, who have been missing from their home since November 26, 2010. WLEN-FM aimed to raise awareness of their disappearance and encourage anyone with information about the boys to contact the National Coalition for Missing and Exploited Children.

WCTY-FM Listeners Raise $18K in Radiothon to Combat Domestic Violence

Hall Communications-owned WCTY-FM Norwich, Conn., hosted a radiothon for the local Women’s Center of Connecticut, which provides services to those affected by sexual assault and domestic violence. WCTY-FM raised $18,000 during the radiothon, with proceeds from the fundraiser going to support the Center’s community education and prevention programs.

Five Cumulus Radio Stations Help to Feed 56,000 Nashville Residents

Cumulus Radio’s five Nashville stations, WWTN-FM, WQQK-FM, WSM-FM, WRQQ-FM and WNFN-FM, hosted their fourth annual radiothon to raise money for the Nashville Rescue Mission. Each Cumulus station went commercial-free from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 16, with the goal of raising enough money to provide 56,000 meals to Nashville’s homeless. Throughout the day listeners dropped off donations and called in pledges. By the end of the radiothon, Cumulus successfully surpassed its goal. Mark Sullivan, senior vice president and general manager of Cumulus Nashville said, "We are proud to have been a part of something amazing and issuing a call to action that will make a real impact on the Nashville community." Nashville Rescue Mission’s President and CEO Don Worrell was quick to thank the stations. "We are grateful for Cumulus Broadcasting’s efforts on behalf of the poor and hurting of our community. The outpouring of generosity from this year’s event will provide over fifty-thousand meals to hungry men, women and children arriving at our doors seeking help."

Entercom’s Boston Stunt Raises $76K for Hunger Relief

Entercom’s WAAF-FM Boston hosted "WAAF’s Rise Up Against Hunger." Cranes lifted on-air personalities LB and Spaz onto sky-high platforms, where they lived for three days to raise money for the Greater Boston, Worcester County and New Hampshire food banks. WAAF-FM’s Greg Hill stayed on air around the clock for the three days to encourage donations and listener visits. For the past 20 years, WAAF-FM personalities have engaged in various stunts for charity. This year’s promotion raised more than $76,000.

Fox’s WTTG-TV Stuffs Trucks Full of Food for D.C. Residents

Fox Television’s WTTG-TV Washington, D.C., held its 11th annual "Stuff-a-Truck" food drive in partnership with Giant Food and CBS Radio stations. WTTG-TV broadcast live from Giant Food locations around D.C. to encourage donations. In 2011,"Stuff-A-Truck" generated over 62,000 pounds of food and almost $128,000 in donations for the Capital Area Food Bank.

Belo’s KING-TV Collects 3.4 Million Meals of Food in Seattle

Belo Corporation’s KING-TV Seattle’s "Home Team Harvest" food drive raised more than 3.4 million meals for local people in need. On December 1, KING-TV crews broadcast live from six area malls, collecting enough food to feed Washington’s population of hungry people for two months. Home Team Harvest has become the state’s single largest food drive of the year.

Nick Cannon Gives Family New Car

After a two week search based hundreds of listener nominations, a family in New Jersey received a holiday dream come true thanks to morning show host Nick Cannon’s “Breaking and Entering” Christmas. Cannon and his staff secretly entered the home of the unsuspecting family and placed tons of wrapped toys, electronics, and clothes under the tree. 92.3 NOW listeners made generous donations online to help out. The winning family received a catered dinner and a completely made-over living room with brand new furniture. As an added surprise, the family also came home to a brand new 2012 Toyota Camry in their driveway.

"Everyone deserves to have a happy holiday and Toyota of Hackensack was honored to be able to give a new Camry to the chosen family,” said owner Frank Holtham.

Both parents are going through chemotherapy while raising two young children. Due to their extensive medical bills, they are in need of financial help and couldn’t provide a proper Christmas for their children. They don’t know who was behind this holiday surprise, but the family was overjoyed to come home to a Christmas miracle.

Broadcasters Foundation of AmericaBFOA Raises $200,000 with Golf Tournament

The Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) held the Celebrity Golf Tournament at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, NJ to support broadcasters in need. More than 150 broadcasters and celebrities participated in the event, which raised more than $200,000. This year, the BFOA expects to distribute $700,000 in assistance. The Celebrity Golf Tournament is one of the Foundation’s biggest annual fundraisers.

Cumulus Raises $120K for Nashville’s Rescue Mission

Cumulus’ WWTN-FM Nashville raised $120,000 for the local Rescue Mission during its 6th annual "Hunger to Hope Radiothon." Market Manager Mike Carpenter said, "Our gracious listeners and clients helped raise over $20,000 above and beyond our original goal [of $100,000]. We are very proud to be a part of this effort to support the community through the Nashville Rescue Mission." Contributions from 1,100 donors will provide 53,100 meals.

KOLA- FM and KCAL-FM Raise $60,000 for Family of Firefighter

When Annie Leinen, a local firefighter’s wife, was suddenly diagnosed with stage 4 cancer while pregnant with her third child, KOLA-FM and KCAL-FM in Redlands, Calif., worked to support her family in any way possible. Together with the Redlands Professional Firefighters Association, the stations hosted a 13-hour on-air fundraiser to help pay for treatment, much of which was not covered by insurance. At the event, which raised nearly $60,000, station personalities and firefighters handed out T-shirts, ribbons and buttons in exchange for donations. In the months following the event, baby Colton was born 12 weeks premature, and tragically, Leinen passed away two months later. Throughout the heartbreak, the stations continued to ask listeners to band together and support the family. Through a dedicated page on the stations’ Web sites, the community is able to donate funds and leave messages of support, which has led to an unbelievable outpouring that is still underway.

KSBW-TV Telethon Collects $100,000 for Salvation Army

Bringing together its community in the true holiday spirit, KSBW-TV in Salinas, Calif., partnered with The Salvation Army for its 23rd annual “Share Your Holiday” telethon. The seven-hour live-broadcast fundraiser is a celebration; local musicians perform, school children are interviewed on the air, and neighbors drop off food, toys, clothing and blankets for those less fortunate. This year, cash donations surpassed $100,000 for the fifth year in a row, and more than 18,000 pounds of food and 7,000 new toys were collected at six drop-off locations throughout the area. “The need for ‘Share Your Holiday’ this year was greater than ever, and our Central Coast viewers came through once again. To me, this exemplifies the best of what local television can do: We can only present the message and ask for support; it is our loyal viewers who hear of the need and rally to respond to help the Salvation Army aid local families in need,” said General Manager Joseph Heston, who agreed to shave off his mustache during the telethon in exchange for an anonymous $10,000 donation to The Salvation Army.

WXUR-FM Makes Christmas Merry for Area Children

Helping to make Christmas morning merry for area children, radio host Mark Piersma from WXUR-FM in New Hartford, N.Y., camped out for seven days as part of the second annual “Camp out for Kids” program. Organizers of the camp-out hoped to collect 10,000 toys by inviting listeners to deliver the items to Piersma, who camped out in front of a local pizzeria on Seneca Turnpike for a week. Even if listeners couldn’t make it to the camp-out, the station still encouraged them to donate. “Everybody’s doing toy drives this year, which is good, because that means more toys for the kids,” said Piersma. “So if you don’t get down to here, find somewhere that’s collecting toys.”

KFI-AM Raises 46,000 Pounds of Food and $122,000

Keeping Southern California families fed, KFI-AM in Los Angeles, Calif., conducted its annual Operation Feed our Families Radiothon to benefit the Salvation Army. The 17-hour event raised more than 46,000 pounds of food and $122,000 in cash donations. The collected items were distributed to families down on their luck throughout the 2008 holiday season. The station’s on-air personalities took shifts hosting the radiothon and the station continued to accept donations once the radio drive ended in hopes to collect even more donations.

WEMI-FM, WEMY-FM Provide Christmas to Those in Need

WEMI-FM and WEMY-FM Provided Christmas in a Shoebox for 2,700 Wisconsinites
Evangel Ministries’ WEMI-FM Appleton/Oshkosh, Wis., and WEMY-FM Green Bay sponsored the Christian Family Radio’s 13th annual Christmas Care Campaign that benefited more than 40 local crisis agencies and emergency rooms. The stations invited residents to fill a wrapped shoe box with new gifts – toys, toiletries, books, candy, etc. – for someone in need. By the conclusion of the campaign, more than 2,700 brightly decorated Christmas Care shoe box gifts were delivered.

Quincy’s KTIV Supports Local Families

Quincy Media’s NBC/CW affiliate KTIV-TV Sioux City, IA supported the community through several initiatives at the end of 2019. KTIV sponsored the annual “Red Shoe Shindig” for the Ronald McDonald House, which raised $107,770 on November 22. Station anchor Matt Breen served as emcee.

The station concluded their annual “Spread the Joy” campaign on December 23 to support the Food Bank of Siouxland. KTIV produced a television spot to encourage donations of peanut butter and jelly. In total, the food drive collected over 5,000 pounds of food.

KTIV also partnered with Goodwill on December 7 to distribute hats and gloves for 3,000 kids during the 79th annual “Shoe and Mitten Party.” Station employees volunteered during the event and the station broadcast spots to encourage donations leading up to the event.

KCRA-TV’s KCRA 3 Kids Can

For two decades, KCRA-TV in Sacramento, Calif. has inspired children to help those in need with its "KCRA 3 Kids Can" food drive. From mid-October to mid-November each year, students from 400 elementary, junior high and senior high schools engage in a friendly competition to see who can collect the most non-perishable food items. The food donated serves more than 40 food banks and community service agencies in 13 counties. The station begins its support with announcements inviting schools to participate, which is followed by reminders to the community to donate. An all-day kick-off event is hosted by KCRA anchors, reporters and meteorologists, and includes a one-hour live broadcast. Throughout the month-long campaign, news coverage spotlights kids who have gone above and beyond. Each year, the kid-powered effort stocks the shelves of area food banks for as long as six months. In 2007, the "KCRA 3 Kids Can" drive provided 810,000 meals.

WBAL-TV and WBAL-AM Collects 590,000 Pounds of Food

In the springtime, WBAL-TV and WBAL-AM in Baltimore, Md., partner with the Maryland Food Bank for its annual "Harvest for the Hungry" campaign, which collected more than 590,000 pounds of food for distribution throughout Baltimore and 23 surrounding counties last year. WBAL-TV has been involved in the effort for 27 years. For three weeks, the station runs a heavy public service announcement campaign and informational crawls throughout newscasts. Newscasts provide updates about the participation of schools and Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. Actively engaging as many viewers and groups as the station can, WBAL also organizes its own events, such as its "Pack the Hummer" day where viewers donated enough items to fill up every last inch of space in the vehicle. WBAL also recruits businesses to compete with one another to see which can raise the most money. Station employees go hands-on during the station’s "Day of Caring," which provides each employee half of a work day to volunteer at the drive. Last year, WBAL employees boxed 50,000 pounds of donated food in a single day. "The contribution WBAL makes to our community and ‘Harvest for the Hungry’ is immeasurable," said Larry Adams Jr., founder of the "Harvest for the Hungry" campaign. "They just really come through."

KGMB-TV as Media Sponsor for Food Drive

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Showing what aloha spirit is all about, KGMB-TV in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been the media sponsor for the Hawaii Foodbank Annual Drive for nearly two decades. The station supports the organization with public service announcements year round and runs a heavy schedule of announcements starting six weeks prior to the foodbank’s main drive each spring. A large portion of the station’s Web site is dedicated to promoting the effort. On the day of the drive, every KGMB staff person is involved. Live segments are broadcast all day and portions of each newscast air from the collection site. In 2008, the drive resulted in 550,000 pounds of food and $450,000 in donations to feed families throughout the islands. "KGMB does an outstanding job of filling the stomachs of islanders in need and feeding their hope," said Polly Kauahi, director of fund development for the Hawaii Foodbank. "We aren’t able to do it without them. They have been a partner since day one. It’s their airtime, their time, their talent – it’s everything."

WAOR-FM South Bend Raises Money for Homeless

The community came out in force to help the homeless in a series of events organized by WAOR-FM of South Bend, Ind. In just more than a month’s time, the station held a golf outing and two pre-concert parties to raise money for the South Bend Center for the Homeless, which provides food and shelter as well as assistance with job training, sobriety and learning how to re-enter the community. Thanks in large part to 75 promotional spots, targeted email blasts, staff hours and a two-hour live remote that allowed the shelter to educate listeners about its work, the Center for the Homeless Golf Outing sold out, generating $41,000. The station raised an additional $1,100 for the cause by hosting two Pre-Concert Plaza parties as fundraisers on the days of performances by the Doobie Brothers and Deep Purple. On-air support prior to each event featured 50 public service announcements and a four-hour live remote immediately prior to the concert. Ten staff hours and a week-long Web site promotion also contributed to raising awareness of the center and the opportunity to contribute.

WMAG-FM Collects Food for Less Fortunate

The sounds of the symphony helped WMAG-FM in Greensboro, N.C., and the Salvation Army collect food for those whose who are less fortunate this past winter. During a weekend in December, three holiday concerts featuring local orchestras required no admission fee for anyone who donated a non-perishable food item on their way in. WMAG’s on-air personality Bill Flynn was guest conductor at all three events. The station promoted the concert one week in advance, airing 30-second announcements and adding a Web page to the station site to provide concert details and raise awareness of the Salvation Army’s work. During the performances the station broadcast six live cut-ins during each concert. When the last violinist put away his instrument, 7,500 pounds of food had been collected.

KCLY-FM Clay Center Helps Residents with Medical Bills

At least once a month, KCLY-FM in Clay Center, Kan., holds an on-air auction to raise funds for community members facing large medical bills or other crisis situations, such as a home fire. Each KCLY Honor Benefit Auction raises funds for a specific individual in the listening area, whose story is shared through the airways in news segments and promotional spots for the auction. Local businesses and neighbors donate items, and the station photographs each and posts a description on its Web site in preparation for the fundraiser. In 2007, 14 individuals received a helping hand from the program, which raised over $16,000. The station has been holding auctions for five years. "The families these fundraisers are done for listen to the auction, sometimes even from their hospital bed," said Linda Underwood, community service team director of the Republican River Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. "This service has helped many make it through a very difficult time in their lives."

WBKR-FM Hosts "WBKR Christmas Wish" Program

More than 350 volunteers put on their Santa hats for WBKR-FM in Owensboro, Ky., last year as part of the station’s 31st annual "WBKR Christmas Wish" program. The volunteers read each wish request from a family in need, verified its accuracy and handed it off to an on-air personality who encouraged listeners to "adopt" the family by fulfilling their Christmas wish. Community members were able to apply for the program through WBKR’s Web site. Between online applications and those received by mail, more than 1,400 requests arrived at the station. To grant as many wishes as possible, WBKR conducted an on-air auction to raise additional funds during the last week of the effort. When all was said and done, the community of only 100,000 people had donated nearly $100,000 in cash and another $100,000 worth of donated toys and merchandise. The giving spirit of WBKR listeners made it possible for the wishes of 1,280 families to come true.

KFLY-TV Collects 200 Tons of Food, $50,000

For 21 years, KFLY-TV in Lafayette, La., and its viewers have shown their dedication to feeding the hungry in surrounding Acadiana. The station’s "TV10 Foodnet Food for Families" drive brought in 200 tons of food and $50,000 in cash donations in 2007. On the day of the drive, the station broadcast live during all on-air shows, as hundreds of volunteers worked at 21 drop sites gathering donations of food, personal hygiene products and baby items. KFLY news crews visited all 21 locations to conduct interviews and shoot news packages with staff and volunteers. At the Cajundoame, which acts as the main Lafayette donation drop, community members lined up in the parking lot, where cars, school buses, women’s clubs, 4-H and even the local Harley-Davidson group donated "drive through" style. The giving started with the 5 a.m. newscast and did not end until the 10 p.m. newscast was over. The drive has become a part of the community’s fabric, with participants returning year after year. Store shelves were emptied because of their generosity. "At the end of the day you are exhausted and full of love," said Station Manager Maria Placer. "It is amazing what can be done in one day."

WEBB-FM Supports Food Drive

Every year, morning show host Randy McCoy from WEBB-FM in Augusta, Maine, pitches a tent next to the tank at Camp Keyes where he lives for 98.5 hours as part of the station’s "Tanksgiving" food drive. A group effort by the station, the Maine Army National Guard and area supermarkets, food collection locations are set up throughout the area the week before Veterans Day. The station donates airtime valued at more than $50,000 for the event. Last year, the combination of on-air exposure and the generosity of WEBB listeners resulted in a trailer filled with more than 60 tons of food and $2,500 for the Waterville and Augusta Salvation Army and several area food banks. Gov. John Baldacci made a special visit to McCoy’s campsite, where he went on air with the station.

WABK-FM Spearheads "Love Fund"

Since 1978, WABK-FM in Augusta, Maine, has reached out to struggling members of its community through its "Love Fund." On-air personalities who helped start the effort three decades ago still participate today. The campaign holds its largest annual drive for 10 days each December. "During that time, this station becomes the Love Fund," said WABK’s Kelly Slater. Station staff stand out in the cold with canisters to collect donations and live broadcasts happen throughout the area. As part of the 2007 drive, the station hosted an open house at the studio and sold hotdogs and sodas. Each year, the recipients of the fund change depending on needs. The money may go to provide badly needed medicine to a listener who couldn’t otherwise afford it or to buy food for families profoundly affected by the economy. In 2007, the drive raised $30,000 and helped 14 families. Other annual station outreach programs that fall under the "Love Fund" umbrella include a "Cram the Van" school supplies drive, a "Food for Families" Thanksgiving dinner collection and a "Fuel for Families" campaign, which helps heat homes throughout the region.

WALA-TV and WBPG-TV Rebuild an Elderly Couple’s Home

As part of the "LIN TV’s Day of Caring," a work day when staff from 30 television stations in 18 markets dedicate their time to people experiencing hardship, 60 employees from WALA-TV and WBPG-TV in Mobile, Ala. rolled up their sleeves and helped in the rebuilding of a an elderly couple’s home, which was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Charlie and Patsy Wagner, like many other residents of Dauphin Island, Ala., were in the process of recovering from Hurricane Ivan when Katrina hit. Their home suffered catastrophic damages and they lacked sufficient insurance. Together with the Southeast chapter of Volunteers of America, the stations’ staff worked with contractors to frame a new home, clear away trash and debris and landscape the yard. "It was an enormous undertaking but a very rewarding day," said WALA’s Kyle Claude. The stations donated $5,000 toward the reconstruction effort and provided a total of 420 volunteer hours.

WXKQ-FM Supports Lions Club

People in need of eye care in a rural area of the state have gotten it with the help of a long-time partnership between WXKQ-FM in Whitesburg, Ky. and the local Lions Club. For more than 30 years, the station has donated airtime for the Whitesburg Lions Club’s annual auction. Proceeds go toward eye care for needy children and adults in the area. In 2007, the station donated airtime for a second auction for the Neon Lions Club. The station provided a total of 16 hours of live broadcast between both auctions. In addition to handing over the airwaves and providing all equipment, the station promoted each event with 75 minutes of promotional spots encouraging listeners to bid. The staff put 20 hours into the events, which raised $14,000 to help ensure good sight. "We are a small club with only 24 members," said Kester Halcomb, who serves on the Eyeglass Committee of the Whitesburg Lions Club. "We just couldn’t make it without the radio station."

WTRV-FM Raises $100,000 in "Winter Warmth Radiothon"

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Rising costs have left more families in need of energy assistance, which is why WTRV-FM in Grand Rapids, Mich., organized an annual "Winter Warmth Radiothon." The fundraiser benefits The Heat and Warmth Fund, a local nonprofit organization that assists low-income families with energy bills. In 2007, the second year of the annual event, on-air support began six weeks prior and included multiple interviews with staff from the Heat and Warmth Fund and daily live and pre-recorded public service announcements. During the event, WTRV personalities broadcast live for 30 hours from a local mall raising $50,000, which was matched by the local electric and natural gas company for a total of $100,000. Station staff contributed 300 hours to the event and more than 200 community volunteers helped answer phones. The funds assisted 99 families in the area. The station followed the event with broadcasts of final results, thanks and congratulations to all who participated.

KTTB-FM Created the "Breakin’ and Entering Christmas" Campaign

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Taking on the role of Santa’s elves, KTTB-FM in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. created the "Breakin’ and Entering Christmas" campaign, where deserving families having financial difficulties come home to a surprise tree and sack of presents. For the past three Christmas seasons, the Tone E. Fly Morning Show has invited listeners to call in and nominate a friend, neighbor or family member who wouldn’t otherwise be able to provide for Christmas. Nominations are read every day on the show. Past winners have included a family whose house burnt down and a married couple that was unable to work while both recovered from a critical kidney donation from wife to husband. A few weeks before the "Breakin’ and Entering Christmas" effort, the station makes sure families in need have a turkey dinner on their table Thanksgiving Day. The station organizes a "Stuck on the Truck" food drive, where an on-air personality camps out on top of a 24-foot truck and broadcasts live until the truck is full. In the drive’s three years, KTTB listeners have donated the equivalent of 30,000 meals. One of the biggest donation drops of the year for the Minnesota Food Shelves, the event has become vital to providing food for the hungry.

WAPT-TV "Food for Families" Feeds One Million Families

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More than 1 million needy people have been fed through the WAPT-TV in Jackson, Miss., "Food for Families" Football Challenge, a friendly competition between area high schools organized by the station. While the state is among the nation’s poorest on a per capita basis, Mississippians are also among the most generous. People in the area also have a strong passion for high school football. Knowing this, the station designed a challenge that taps into the competitive spirit inherent in football to battle hunger. Each week, a high school football game is named the "challenge" game, and the two schools hold food drives during the week to see which can collect the most donations for the Mississippi Food Network. The Thursday before game night, both schools’ cheerleaders come to the WAPT studio and cheer for their team during the station’s 5 p.m. news. The next day, the winning school is announced by the station’s chief meteorologist at halftime. In addition to ample news coverage, the station contributes more than $25,000 in production and commercial airtime each year. Since the program began 15 years ago, more than 1.7 million canned goods have been donated to the Mississippi Food Network, providing more than 950,000 meals to the hungry. More than 185,000 items were collected in 2007 alone.

KMBR-FM Helps 1,500 Families through the "Helping Hands Clothing Drive"

Late in the fall, before winter sets in, KMBR-FM in Butte, Mont., encourages its listeners to donate food, warm clothing and money to help those less fortunate. In 2007, the sixth year of the KMBR Helping Hands Clothing Drive, more than 1,500 families in the area were provided necessities. For four weeks, the station ran both live and recorded announcements more than a dozen times a day asking listeners to make donations. Leaders from the Butte Rescue Mission and Butte Cares Inc. were interviewed on the air. On the day items were distributed, General Manager Chris Ackerman gave live reports and the station broadcast announcements encouraging families needing a helping hand to come to the event. After all items had been given away, the station used the power of the airways to thank the Butte community for its generosity. One mother of three small children said that the event provided clothing for her family for an entire year. "A family will come with an empty car and leave with a car filled with clothes, food and smiles," said Ackerman.

KOGA-AM Sponsors Fundraiser for Local Family

Being icy cold normally doesn’t help anyone, but dozens of people helped save a life when they jumped into a lake in the middle of winter as part of a fundraiser put on by KOGA-AM of Ogallala, Neb. The event benefited Allison Jones, a local 16-year-old in need of a heart transplant. For the operation, Jones would have to move to Denver for eight months, but her family didn’t have the funds needed. Along with the teenager’s high school, the station sponsored the "Allison Jones Lake Jump Benefit," which raised $14,500 for the Jones family. After the local dive and rescue squad cut through a layer of ice more than one foot thick, hundreds of warmly-dressed spectators cheered on 50 brave souls as each jumped into the frigid lake. The station capitalized on the novelty of the event by dedicating a Web page, discussing the event regularly on air, conducting interviews with other high school students and airing a live broadcast from the event with local celebrities. Sixty-five hours were contributed by KOGA staff members. "We are truly blessed by everyone’s efforts," said Allison’s mother. KOGA was a National Association of Broadcasters’ Crystal Award Finalist in 2008.

KZEN-FM Spearheads Drives After Fire Destroys Homes

When fire claimed the homes and all of the belongings of two local families, KZEN-FM in Columbus, Neb., spearheaded drives to help the families get back on their feet. The station’s "Community Comes Together" event first helped a family in May by teaming up with the local American Red Cross and local churches to encourage donations. Announcements asking listeners to help the family aired several times a day. In addition, a six-hour broadcast event, which required 40 staff hours, successfully raised $7,500 in goods and immediate financial support. In December, the community came together again right before the Christmas holiday, when another family was devastated by a house fire. Similar to the previous effort, KZEN broadcast daily messages asking Nebraskans to help, and then held two three-hour on-air drives. This time the station partnered with American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Listener contributions added up to $6,000 in funds and merchandise, and with this help, the family was able to still have Christmas. KZEN was a National Association of Broadcasters’ Crystal Award Finalist in 2008.

KTVN-TV Collects 150,000 Families

To make sure those experiencing hard times in the northern part of the state don’t go hungry, KTVN-TV in Reno, Nev., organizes an annual "Share Your Holiday Food Drive." Over the last two years, the effort has provided more than 150,000 meals. On the day of the drive, on-air coverage starts at 5 a.m. "Share Your Holiday" is the focus of programming for the majority of the day, with live remotes airing from four collection sites. Station staff and volunteers gather donations from viewers’ cars. The station starts gearing up the community for the holiday event in November with public service announcements featuring its four main evening anchors. To help encourage business and groups to make large donations, the station also provides news coverage of check presentations. With a 15-year history, the event has become a critical source of help for those in need. A total of 128,743 pounds of food was collected during the 2007 drive, making it a record-breaking year. The drive provides resources to more than 110 agencies.

KSMX-FM Helps Families Keep Warm

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The "Rooney and Moon Morning Show" hosts from KSMX-FM in Clovis, N.M., are willing to do anything to make sure families have a proper Christmas, even be "frozen alive." In 2007, Duffy Moon, agreed to stay in a 7,200 pound ice block for as long as it took to raise the $20,000 needed to fund that station’s annual "Secret Santa" campaign. The idea to raise money to give to families on the High Plains that may be facing a bleak Christmas or, worse yet, no Christmas at all, started four years ago. To date, the effort has collected more than $82,000 and provided a special holiday to 41 families. The Christmas delivery involves station staff and volunteer "elves" from the community, who show up with a tree, lights, Christmas dinner, groceries and presents. Listeners get to hear the experience on-the-air the next day. "The entire project, by far, is the most rewarding thing we do year in and year out," said Steve Rooney. One story that stands out involves a family of five who had lost everything in a home fire. The station’s Christmas delivery, which included new furniture, was met with awe, but the family had one additional request. A woman had saved their lives by honking her horn until they woke up on the night of the fire. They wanted the station’s help to find their guardian angel. After the story broadcast, the women came forward, and the family’s reunion with her was aired live.

Area Stations Help Less Fortunate

The combination of five days and five radio stations proves powerful in helping the needy each December in Bismarck, N.D.. During their "96 Hours of Caring" campaign, KLXX-AM, KUSB-FM, KKCT-FM, KBYZ-FM and KACL-FM ask their listeners to donate needed items to charities throughout the area. The event revolves around live broadcasts from station remotes, where on-air talent interviews various organizations on how to contribute and what items are needed most. Donations have included supplies for military stationed away from home, nonperishable food items for the hungry, blankets, cots and personal hygiene items for the homeless. "It is a real immediate way to reach people," said Tom Regan, executive director of the Missouri Slope Areawide United Way. "If listeners are inspired to do something, they can right away by stopping by the remote." In addition to the live broadcasts, the event is supported with promotional announcements run in advance and on-air acknowledgments to donors afterwards.

WMYB-FM Holds ’Camp Out to Stamp Out Hunger’ Campaign

For the fourth year in a row, morning show hosts Mitch Adams and Alix Michaels from WMYB-FM in Myrtle Beach, S.C., braved the cold, ants, lack of sleep and sore throats for the station’s "Camp Out to Stamp Out Hunger" food drive. The duo camped for three days straight, broadcasting live from various locations along the Grand Strand and encouraging listeners to bring non-perishable food items and monetary donations to their camp site. The donations totaled more than six tons of food for the Low Country Food Bank and helped feed thousands of people during the 2007 holiday season. "It’s a new record for the camp out," said Mitch and Alix. "We beat the previous year by two and a half tons!"

WRVW-FM Supports Area Food Bank

To support the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, WRVW-FM in Nashville, Tenn., organizes two annual community events: the Taste of Music City and Music City Brewers Festival. Fifteen percent of ticket sales from both events go to the food bank. In addition to raising more than $12,000 to help provide meals for the area’s hungry last year, the events brought the community together for two festive days featuring live music and food and drinks from local vendors. The great turnout at both events can be attributed to hundreds of live and recorded announcements, email blasts sent to 18,000 listeners, weeks of exposure on the station’s Web site and more than 100 hours of hard work by station staff. WRVW was on location broadcasting live from both events. WRVW was a National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Award Finalist in 2008.

KGSR-FM Hosts ’Fan Fare Friday’

Providing great music while raising funds to protect the elderly from the heat of a Texas summer was the goal behind "Fan Fare Friday," an event organized by KGSR-FM in Austin, Texas, to benefit Family Eldercare. The station organized a concert featuring local musicians and required the donation of a box fan or the monetary equivalent for admission. Seventy-five minutes of live and recorded announcements on the air and streamed on the station’s Web site rallied listeners to attend. The value of donations exceeded $50,000. KGSR broadcast live from the event for 12 hours and thanked the crowd with t-shirts and CDs giveaways. In January 2008, KGSR was honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in the Greater Austin Area as Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation for its fan drive efforts.

WMXJ-FM Fundraiser Nets $30,000 for Families of Officers

When two police officers lost their lives in the line of duty, WMXJ-FM in Miami, Fla. organized a benefit concert to support the families left behind. The "Cop Rock 2007 Friday Night H.O.P. (Help Our Police)" event starred Chuck Negron and the Classic Rock All Stars at an outdoor venue. In addition to raising awareness of the violence that law enforcement faces to keep neighborhoods safe, ticket sales and donations brought in $30,000, which was spilt between the Miami-Dade County chapter of The Police Officer’s Assistant Trust and the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County. During the two weeks prior to the event, the station aired two interviews with the bands during its morning show, more than 100 public service announcements and pre-recorded promotional spots and more than 100 live mentions. Station talent emceed the concert and the station donated 336 staff hours in total to make "Cop Rock" a success. A five-hour live broadcast of the concert allowed listeners throughout the community to partake.

WBLL-AM Develops New Fundraiser

The owner of WBLL-AM in Bellefontaine, Ohio, wanted to create a community event from scratch that would benefit a local cause not often in the spotlight. Enter "Rail Jam," a snowboarding contest at Mad River Mountain that is both a fundraiser for the Society of St. Vincent DePaul of St. Patrick Church and a family event rolled into one. For the past three years the station has organized, sponsored and promoted the event. Admission requires only a donation of a non-perishable food or household item to St. Vincent, which provides for the poor. The 2007 "Rail Jam" collected enough food to feed 11 families for three months. The station brought in local snowboarding celebrity and X Games finalist Louie Vito to host the event. On-air coverage included interviews beforehand, live cut-ins during the event and news stories after the competition. All of the prizes for the winning snowboarders were donated or solicited by the station. "It was a huge success," said Judy Heck from St. Patrick Church. "It meant so much to St. Vincent because of the amount of support it provided, and it also gave hundreds of kids the option to participate in a day of fun without having to pay."

WWLP-TV Donates $25,000 in Airtime to "Warming Hearts and Homes"

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Due to the high cost of fuel, WWLP-TV in Springfield, Mass., once again decided to organize its “Warming Hearts and Homes" campaign. Each week during the cold weather season, "Warming Hearts and Homes" provided a $300 fuel assistance voucher to a family requiring assistance. The station partnered with the United Way of Pioneer Valley to identify recipients and worked with local businesses to fund the vouchers. Nearly $25,000 worth of airtime was donated to the campaign. In addition to airing 30-second public service announcements, the station reported weekly on the recipients and their stories. In all, the program lasted more than three months and helped 15 families heat their homes. “The $300 provided by ‘Warming Hearts and Homes’ meant the gas bill could be paid, so families didn’t go cold,” said Joanne Dernoga, vice president of community investment for the United Way of Pioneer Valley. “People really needed that assistance. It meant a lot.”

KOTA-TV and KOTA-AM Helps Feed the Hungry

For more than two decades, KOTA-TV and KOTA-AM in Rapid City, S.D., have partnered with the Boy Scouts and South Dakota Army National Guard to feed the hungry. Over the years, the annual KOTA Care & Share Food Drive has collected more than 6 million pounds of food and hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations to help those less fortunate. Each year, the main collection occurs from Thanksgiving to January. During this time, Boy Scouts leave and then collect donations bags from viewers’ front doors. The stations run hundreds of public service announcements, including reminders on when bags are being dropped off and picked up. The stations supported the most recent drive with multiple interviews and news stories, which helped bring in the nearly 250,000 pounds of food and $50,000. To provide resources for the needy year-round, the stations team with businesses and groups to create additional events to replenish area food banks at other times of the year. The "World’s Largest Drive By," where viewers and listeners driving by the KOTA studios are invited to stop and enjoy a bagel and cup of coffee in exchange for a donation of canned food, is just one example. "We literally wouldn’t be doing what we are without KOTA’s support," said Matt Gassen, director of Community Food Banks of South Dakota. "They provide integral support to stock our food pantries for those that need food assistance." The success of the Care & Share Food Drive has inspired the Boy Scouts to adopt similar efforts nationwide.

WNRI-AM Continues ’Milk Fund’ Charity Effort

The local newspaper and WNRI-AM in Woonsocket, R.I., carry on the "Milk Fund," a local tradition that started in 1936 as a way to help struggling families. Each year, throughout the month of December, multiple fundraising efforts in Woonsocket raise money toward the purchase of milk vouchers. For the past 20 years, the station has given airtime to promote related events and to urge its listeners to give monetary donations when they see the familiar milk bottles placed at businesses throughout the area. In addition, it organizes its own fundraiser, a daily on-air auction during the morning drive. From 6 – 9 a.m., station staff auction off items WNRI has secured through working with local businesses. On average, the "Milk Fund" brings in $80,000 annually, which helps feed 1,400 local families.

WNAC-TV Develops Telethon for Homeless Organization

When a documentary was made about a homeless man finding help at Crossroads, the largest homeless services organization in the state, WNAC-TV in Providence, R.I., secured the rights and took the opportunity to create a telethon around its airing. During documentary breaks, the two-hour primetime broadcast switched to station-produced vignettes about the shelter and its residents. Viewers were asked to open their hearts and their pocketbooks and pledge by phone or online. The effort raised $85,000 for the shelter, providing greatly needed funding as the housing crisis and economy create an ever-growing demand for the shelter’s services. WNAC also has lent support to Crossroads by donating airtime for public service announcements and moving the station’s purchases for print orders to the Crossroads Copy Center, an in-house business where residents of the shelter receive professional training in print production and computer and graphic skills.

KSOO-AM Collects Donations for Struggling Families

With the support of KSOO-AM in Sioux Falls, S.D., a holiday effort to help families struggling financially, which was started by two couples out of their garage, has grown into a nonprofit organization involving thousands of volunteers and serving hundreds of families annually. The station provides $35,000 of in-kind donations to Sioux Falls Cares each year and is involved in its holiday drive from top to bottom. Six weeks of promotions, including live reads, interviews and recorded announcements aid in driving donations and soliciting volunteers. With the money collected, community members go to market and buy everything from food staples to clothing to Christmas presents. Each family recipient of the holiday giving receives a truckload of items. During the most recent event, 750 families were served over a two-day distribution. Six KSOO staff members serve on the Sioux Falls Cares committee and donate their talents and time during the drive. Dave Roberts, program director of KSOO, was honored as the "2007 Broadcaster of the Year" by the South Dakota Broadcasters Association for his involvement in community affairs, including his contributions to Sioux Falls Cares.

KKLI-FM Collects 4,000 Turkeys for Thanksgiving

Business offices in the southern part of the state went to the birds this past holiday season, and that was a good thing. The goal of the annual "Take a Turkey to Work" campaign, spearheaded by KKLI-FM in Colorado Springs, Colo., is to inspire as many people as possible to bring a turkey to their workplace for donation to the Care and Share Food Bank. A representative from each business then brings the collective donations to one of three KKLI drop-off sites, where the station broadcasts live from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Captain Dan and Paul, the station’s morning show talent, geared up listeners with mentions and two extended interviews with representatives of Care and Share. Recorded promotional spots featuring the mayor began 10 days before the event, and the KKLI Web site listed information on how to participate. In 13 hours, nearly 4,000 turkeys and $14,000 came in for the cause, which provided 18,000 people with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. After each year’s successful turkey collection, the station follows up on the air to thank its listeners for caring for their neighbors. The success of the annual event prompted the mayor to declare the Friday before Thanksgiving "Take a Turkey to Work Day." KKLI was a National Association of Broadcaster’s Crystal Award finalist in 2008.

WAND-TV Promotes WSOY-AM’s Food Drive

WAND-TV in Decatur, Ill., has jumped on board to help promote WSOY-AM’s annual Community Food Drive. In just the second year of the WSOY and WAND partnership, collections have increased 125 percent, bringing in a record 280,000 pounds of food to help Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army fill their pantries for the winter months. At the most recent drive, WAND’s coverage began with live remotes during its early morning newscast and continued with two live remotes every hour. The coverage wrapped up with news stories in the early evening and 10 p.m. newscast. The remotes were recorded and posted on the station Web site, which also kept a running total of the food collected and information regarding how individuals could donate. "WAND-TV is instrumental in promoting and publicizing this event to ensure its success; and this is important because each year the total in pounds of food that is collected has always surpassed the previous year," said Robin Murray, community services supervisor at Catholic Charities. "We look forward to another successful event this year with the help from our friends at WAND-TV."

KYKX-FM Raises Funds for Area Women’s Shelter

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The Women’s Center of East Texas was almost without a home when KYKX-FM of Longview, Texas, stepped in to lend a helping hand. The center, which provides a safe haven, crisis intervention and comprehensive support services for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, was getting ready to move to a larger facility but lacked the funds needed to secure temporary housing while the new facility was being finished. That’s when KYKX came in with a plan for a "Request-A-Thon." During the 12-hour event, the station accepted song requests from listeners in exchange for pledge donations, and on-air interviews with the center’s director gave the community a chance to learn more about the center’s important work. The station ran announcements prior to the event and promoted it on its online community calendar. In addition, the station provided 720 minutes of Web streaming and 72 hours of hard work by staff. he result: $12,000, enough money to provide the center with a year’s worth of temporary housing. "The response from KYKX listeners was above and beyond. You can tell what an impact the station has on this community by the amazing response we got," said Shannon Trest, executive director of The Women’s Center of East Texas.

WIBC-FM Indianapolis Raises $160,000 for Salvation Army

For 52 hours during a three-day period in December, WIBC-FM in Indianapolis, Ind., used the airways to raise awareness and support for the Salvation Army. Now in its 13th consecutive year, the “WIBC Radio-a-thon to Benefit the Salvation Army” has raised more than $1 million in direct and matching donations to help feed, clothe and house the less fortunate in the area. During last year’s marathon broadcast, which raised nearly $160,000, WIBC brought special guests into the studio, conducted an on-air auction featuring celebrity-autographed photos and clothing, and held hourly drawings for one-of-a-kind collectables and prize packages. The airtime donated by the station for the radiothon alone was valued at nearly $800,000. WIBC provided an additional $80,000 worth of on-air promotions for the event.

KVOO-FM Raises $40,000 for Tornado Damage

KVOO-FM in Tulsa, Okla., raised more than $40,000 in November 2008 to buy a new home for a local listener after an unusual autumnal tornado demolished the uninsured trailer home of Randy Booker, his wife and 14-year-old son. When KVOO’s morning show co-hosts Gary Greenwood and Sunny Leigh learned of Booker’s story, they pledged to raise money to help them find a place to live. In an outpouring of support from local listeners, $40,000 – more than twice the goal amount, was raised in just 14 hours. The Booker family received a fully furnished home, one year of insurance, one year of lot rent, a dependable vehicle, new clothes and several job offers from local companies.

WSSP-AM Hosts Second Annual Toy Drive

Keeping spirits bright at the local Children’s Hospital, WSSP-AM in Milwaukee, Wis., conducted its second annual Toy Drive for Children’s Hospital. The station collected toys to be delivered to the young patients at Brewtown Children’s Hospital the week before Christmas. Rather than put the toys in Santa’s sleigh, WSSP Programming Director Ryan Maguire said that the station “completely filled” a 26-foot moving van with donated toys. In total, the Toy Drive raised more than $10,000 in cash and toys, more than doubling the total of last year’s inaugural event.

WLEN-FM Raises $23,000 in "Mission Possible" Fundraiser

“Mission Possible,” a fundraiser organized by WLEN-FM in Adrian, Mich., couldn’t have been named more appropriately. The campaign, which aids the Lenawee County Mission in its work to house the homeless, more than doubled its original goal, raising $23,000. Donations were pledged during several activities, including a maize challenge between WLEN’s morning host Jerry Hayes and promotions director Lori Sallows, and a one-day auction. The main event was a 24-hour live broadcast from a “Homeless Campout,” where community members spent a night sleeping in appliance boxes along side Mission residents to heighten awareness of the realities the homeless face. The Mission plans to use the funds raised to either expand its current facility or move to new accommodations, where it will be able to provide shelter for more people in need.

WPOW-FM Raises $50,000 to Help Family with Funeral for Three Kids

When Lazaro ’’DJ Laz’’ Mendez of WPOW-FM Miami, Fla., heard that a local family was struggling to pay for funeral services after their three children were tragically killed in a car accident, he went to the airwaves. During five hours of broadcast, Mendez brought the community together, raising more than $50,000 for a proper burial. Many listeners called in to share their own stories of loss and remembrance, and others came to the station to give in-person donations, including children who brought in their piggybanks.

KOMO-TV Fulfills Termianlly Ill Boy’s Final Wish

Rain didn’t stop hundreds of people from helping fulfill a dying boy’s wish that the hungry be fed. Donations poured in at the “Stuff the Truck Thursday” food drive, which KOMO-TV in Seattle, Wash., dedicated to Brenden Foster, an 11-year-old with leukemia whose last wish was that people in need be helped. His words caught the heart of viewers near and far, bringing lines of cars to the event. More than six semi-trucks were filled with food and nearly $90,000 was collected for Northwest Harvest and Food Lifeline. Foster saw television coverage of the amazing turnout his wish inspired just before he passed. “The remarkable thing about the event was that so many people turned out to donate, even people who don’t have much themselves. They wanted to support Brenden’s dream," said Holly Gauntt, KOMO news director.

KDKA-AM Helps Needy Listeners Stay Warm

Low-income families facing harsh temperatures and steep energy costs received a helping hand from KDKA-AM in Pittsburgh, Pa., and its first-ever “Warmathon.” The station partnered with the Dollar Energy Fund Hardship Program, which helps struggling families and the elderly afford electric, gas and water service. During the 30-hour live broadcast, hundreds of volunteers staffed the phone bank and “Pedaled for Power,” keeping a bulb lit by riding a stationary bike. In total, $250,000 was raised, helping more than 700 families in the community stay warm. “We look forward to making this an annual event to help raise money for people and families in need of assistance with their energy expenses,” said KDKA General Manager Michael Young.

Dispatch-Owned WBNS-TV Dedicates a Day to Fighting Hunger in Columbus

Dispatch Broadcasting’s WBNS-TV Columbus, Ohio, joined the Mid-Ohio Foodbank this March for a day-long campaign entitled "One Paycheck Away: 10TV Dedicates the Day to Hunger," continuing the 27-year tradition. The initiative featured a documentary that explored hunger in the suburbs, tough choices faced by seniors and alarming poverty rates in Marion County. The "One Paycheck Away" broadcast was followed by a live fundraising telethon held at the WBNS-TV studios. "As Central Ohio’s News Leader, we have devoted a great deal of time and resources to helping promote the health and well-being of central Ohioans," said President and General Manager Tom Griesdorn. "Continuing to support the Mid-Ohio Foodbank in its efforts is another way of furthering our commitment and letting the community know we care." Click here to watch a video of the telethon.

Stations Collect 17,000 Pounds of Food

During a single four-hour remote, WGMT-FM, WMTK-FM, WSTJ-AM and WKXH-FM in St. Johnsbury, Vt., collected 17,000 pounds of food. It was the fourth year of the group-wide event, which stocks the pantries of four area food banks. The stations spotlighted food bank representatives in interviews, public service announcements and promotional spots, which aired on a heavy schedule prior to the event. On the day of the collection, station staff withstood winter weather at a crossroads in downtown, where they took donations and shared the stories of donors, such as the little girl who saved all of her babysitting money from the entire year for the cause. "We had traffic backed up with people bringing in food," said Operations Manager Candis Leopold. "It is amazing how people respond to stories. The more they hear, the more they participate, which is why broadcasting is such a gift."

WAVY-TV Provides Winter Coats to Area Children

Thousands of children headed into winter prepared with warm coats thanks to the efforts of WAVY-TV in Portsmouth, Va. For 19 years the station has been committed to its "Coats for Kids" campaign, an annual drive that distributes much needed outerwear on a first come, first serve basis to any family in need. The evening news anchors make regular appeals to viewers, whose generosity resulted in the donation of nearly 12,000 coats in 2007. The station coordinates 13 distribution sites throughout Hampton Roads, northeast North Carolina and the Eastern Shore of Virginia. A distribution day is scheduled each November, December and January. "To see the kids getting their coats melts your heart," said Janet Charity of the YWCA, which has hosted a distribution site for many years. "We have families that look forward to the drive every year."

WQBE-FM and WVSR-FM Holds Holiday Food Drive

Christmas dinner, complete with a ham, is made possible for needy families through a 10-day food drive organized by WQBE-FM and WVSR-FM in Charleston, W.Va. In addition to a traditional holiday dinner, the Union Mission Christmas Food Drive collects enough donations to give each family food for a week or more. Every morning and every afternoon during the effort, WQBE and WVSR broadcast live from a command center set up in parking lot of a local grocer. The broadcasts target people during their commute to and from work, encouraging listeners to stop by and make a donation. In 2007, the generosity of listeners filled five tractor-trailers full of canned items and raised $15,000. The stations also held a potato challenge, where a local business agreed to give 7,500 10-pound bags of potatoes if the community would collectively match that number, which it did within one week. The stations have held the annual food drive for the past decade, feeding 2,500 families each year; Union Mission, which distributes the food, serves 51 of West Virginia’s 55 counties. "This event has become so necessary, and the rewards we get from the listeners and the families who are provided Christmas meals mean the world to us," said WQBE’s Jeff Jeffreys Whithead. "It is so important they we take care of each other."

KSTZ-FM Des Moines Collects 205,000 Pounds of Food

The 19th annual “Combat Hunger” campaign run by KSTZ-FM in Des Moines, Iowa, is proof that even in a tough economy, the hearts of Iowans have stayed big. This year’s drive resulted in 205,000 pounds of food for the Food Bank of Iowa, which helps stock the pantries of more than 245 agencies throughout the state. During the campaign, the station moves its studio to the “Combat Hunger” encampment in downtown Des Moines and replaces normal programming with two days worth of live broadcast for the cause. This year, donations poured in from more than 190 central Iowa schools and businesses. In addition to donating air time and significant staff hours, KSTZ created a campaign Web site, where listeners could donate online and find out what food items were needed the most. “This past year, everyone has had to learn to make do with less—and yet, they’ve given more,” said Scott Allen, KSTZ program director. “After more than a year of bad news about the economy, it seems like Iowans are just determined to make their own good news.” The station prepares for the drive, which is the biggest in the state, for months before the event. Since its inception, “Combat Hunger” has generated donations of more than 1.5 million pounds of food to feed the hungry.

KFRG-FM Collects 1,100 New Bikes for Fourth Graders

KFRG-FM in San Bernardino, Calif., helped provide local fourth graders in need with 1,100 brand new bikes. Teachers from San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo and Mono counties nominated students in need who were considered outstanding classroom role models. The bike donations were part of the seventh annual Slater Bros. Charities and KFRG-FM radiothon, held every year to elicit donations from radio listeners to benefit the local children’s hospital. With every $200 donation that a radio listener made, a new bike was donated to a deserving fourth grade student. The students received the bikes at an event held at the city’s baseball stadium where friends and family watched as the fourth graders ran onto the field to get their new bikes.

WOMC-FM Raises $2.2 Million for Salvation Army

What can a radio station achieve in a single day? With the help of its community, WOMC-FM in Ferndale, Mich., raised more than $2.2 million for the Salvation Army’s Bed and Bread Program. The station’s annual Dick Purtan Radiothon, a 16-hour live event, has raised more than $22 million to support the Eastern Michigan division of the Salvation Army during the past 22 years. In an area that has been particularly hard-hit by the economy and unemployment, demand for the services of the Bed and Bread program, which feeds thousands and houses hundreds each day, has risen greatly. Celebrity callers, including Tim Allen, Al Roker and Kathleen Madigan, went on the air to help with the fundraising. "I have been inspired by the generosity of the metro Detroit community," said Dick Purtan, WOMC’s morning-show deejay and radiothon host. "In our current economic crisis I could not have imagined we would have such an outpouring of donations! This proves how passionate our community is about taking care of their neighbors in need."

KDUV-FM Collects and Distributes 300 Turkeys for Thanksgiving

To make sure those in need had a meal on Thanksgiving Day, KDUV-FM in Visalia, Calif., hosted its annual “T-Shirts for Turkeys” drive. To get listeners involved, the station gave away a KDUV T-shirt for each frozen turkey donated. By the end of the campaign, more than 300 birds had been collected and distributed to missions throughout the San Joaquin Valley for their community Thanksgiving meals. In addition to a heavy schedule of recorded and live announcements about the effort, KDUV teamed up with recording artists, such as Kutless, Natalie Grant and Jeremy Camp, to set up donation sites in tandem with live concerts. The station got word out through e-mail blasts, Facebook and Twitter, and station personalities broadcast live from the events. In addition to the frozen turkey donations made by listeners, KDUV made a cash donation to The Salvation Army to help provide additional meals on Thanksgiving Day. As part of its commitment to the community, KDUV donates 10 percent of its earnings annually to charity.

WRBT-FM Listeners Aid Pennsylvania Family that Lost Seven Children in Recent House Fire

Clear Channel’s WRBT-FM Harrisburg, Pa., raised $30,000 in 14 hours to support the Clouse family, a Pennsylvania couple who recently lost seven children in a local house fire. WRBT-FM’s "Nancy and Newman Morning Show" led the station’s effort, accepting listeners’ pledges and auctioning several items donated by top country music artists. "We are not doing this to pat ourselves on the back and say ’Hey, look at what a good thing we’re doing.’ I felt compelled. We needed to do something," Newman said. Contributions are still being accepted for the Clouse Family Fund, c/o Church of the Living Christ, P.O. Box 180, Loysville, PA 17047.

WSBT-TV Aids Indiana Residents Affected by Ongoing Recession

Schurz Communications-owned WSBT-TV Mishawaka, Ind., hosted the third annual "Neighbors in Need" campaign to help people who have been hit hard by the recession with layoffs and losses of shelter, clothing and food. On February 21, WSBT-TV and its partner, the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, braved the cold, wind and snow to receive donations from the community. Within eight hours, WSBT-TV collected $11,943 in cash donations and 6,106 pounds of food.

Rockin’ for the Hungry Event Raises 203 Tons of Food

Despite a challenging economy, Cumulus-owned WKQL-FM Ann Arbor and Kroger Foods exceed their goal for the Food Gatherers’ food bank’s largest annual outdoor food drive, "Rockin’ for the Hungry." The five-day event raised 203 tons of food for families in need in Washtenaw County.

President and CEO of Food Gatherers Eileen Spring said, "This generous support allows Food Gatherers to meet the urgent and pressing demand for food in our own community. On behalf of all the people seeking food assistance this year, we are so grateful to Ann Arbor’s 107one, Kroger and the citizens of Washtenaw County for making a real difference in our community. When we needed you most, you rose to the challenge."Since 1988, Food Gatherers has distributed more than 39 million pounds of food.

WXFL-FM Big River Morning Man Jailed for Charity

Big River Broadcasting WXFL-FM in Florence, Ala., behind morning man, Johnny Law, started a holiday food drive four years ago that has raised over 17,000 pounds of non-perishable food items. Over the years, Law has come up with some very creative ideas to help the community.
This year was no exception. Law was handcuffed and arrested live on the air in a ploy to raise awareness for the cause. He was taken to the city jail where he was photographed, printed, and processed into the system. During three days and nights in jail, he endured the same conditions as the inmates. He received no special treatment outside of the following exceptions: a laptop and a cell phone to communicate with radio personalities during their air shifts and listeners via social networks.
Listeners donated gift cards that were used to purchase non-perishable food items. Listeners stopped by the jail to visit Johnny during his visitation hours. After Johnny was released, he shopped for food to divide between eight local church pantries that needed the food.

Clear Channel Station in Cincinnati Collects 15K Pounds for Goodwill

Clear Channel Communications’ WKSC-FM’s five-day fundraiser collected over 15,000 pounds of clothing, furniture and toys for the Ohio Valley Goodwill during its first "Skyline Chili Stuff Santa’s Sleigh" fundraiser.
George Palmer of the Ohio Valley Goodwill said “We especially appreciate the community’s generosity during this critical time of year when donations are so very important to our mission.”

Kiss 107’s on-air personalities held live broadcasts all week from a Holman Motors recreational vehicle and “Santa’s sleigh,” a 48-foot Goodwill donation truck, to help raise awareness and collect donations for those in need during the holidays. More than 400 listeners helped fill Santa’s sleigh. Brian Leonard from the Cincinnati Bengals helped collect donations and greeted listeners, along with appearances from The Cincinnati Cyclones’ mascot and Warner Bros. recording artist Outasight.

102.9 MGK, DeBella To Distribute Computers

During Greater media-owned WMGK-FM Philadelphia’s computer drive, morning host John DeBella asked listeners to bring their old computers, printers, monitors, scanners and other equipment to either of the station’s two collection locations.
"So many people receive computers or make computer upgrades during the holiday season and then let their unused, but very capable computer collect dust. The goal of this drive is to get these computers into the hands of organizations and families that need them," said DeBella.
All donations were inspected, refurbished and cleaned. Computers that could not be repaired were properly recycled. The Harmonious Volunteer Center distributed the computers to community organizations, faith based organizations and needy families, many of whom are receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). NFI Industries donated the trucks and drivers used to collect the computers.

KGW-TV Collects 1 Million Pounds of Food

"The Great Food Drive," organized by KGW-TV in Portland, Ore., surpassed its goal this year, collecting more than 1.1 million pounds of food to feed the needy. The station began its annual month-long food drive five years ago to help families in Oregon and southwest Washington. Donations go to the Oregon Food Bank, the statewide hub for a network of 919 hunger-relief agencies. Throughout March 2008, KGW aired public service announcements, including one featuring Gov. Ted Kulongoski. Daily news stories on the need for donations and the progress of the campaign kept the goals of the effort in viewers’ minds. The value of the airtime for the PSAs alone totaled more than $75,000. In addition to raising funds and food donations, KGW uses the campaign to educate viewers about the root causes and status of hunger in the state.

WFGR-FM Raise $12,000 in "Hope for the Holidays" Program

To help those affected most by the economy have a happy Thanksgiving and a merry Christmas, WFGR-FM in Grand Rapids, Mich., participated in several events, including the Second Harvest Gleaner’s Food Bank Radiothon and the station’s own "Hope for the Holidays" program. The radiothon supports more than 1,200 organizations in west Michigan that feed the hungry. During the station’s 12-hour live broadcast, listeners gave more than $12,000, putting food on the tables of those needing it most. In conjunction with the radiothon, WFGR broadcast pre-event announcements and conducted interviews with representatives from Second Harvest Gleaners. During the station’s "Hope for the Holidays" program, WFGR arranged for five families to receive $100 in groceries and additional resources for holiday decorations so they could enjoy a traditional holiday dinner. The station also organized a drive to provide veterans in the area with items for the holiday season, and within a few short hours, listeners had filled a storage unit to the brim with donations for the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

Frenzy Food Drive and Other WLFI-TV Efforts Raise Donations to Indiana

LIN Media-owned WLFI-TV West Lafayette, Ind., supported Food Finders Food Bank in numerous ways in 2010. WLFI-TV created an ad campaign for the organization to help raise donations year-round. The public service department produced and ran a PSA promoting the Food Finders "My Way" campaign. In the spot, local celebrities explained how they fight hunger and then asked the public to help in the effort. WLFI-TV’s Sports Department partnered with area high schools to put on the Annual Frenzy Food Drive. The two schools, competing against each other in basketball that night, also competed to see which fans could donate the most food. They raised 825 pounds in just a few hours.

Can Food Contributions Soar during KLAD-FM’s Supermarket Saturday

Revitalization Partners’ KLAD-FM Klamath Falls, Ore., assisted the Klamath Lake Counties Food Bank in raising more than 100 tons of food during a one-day "Supermarket Saturday" food drive. To promote the event, KLAD-FM’s General Manager Rob Siems spent six hours hoisted in the air. He descended one foot throughout the day for every two tons of food that was donated. For 10 years, KLAD-FM’s event has been a major fundraiser, raising more than 800 tons of food. The Klamath Lake Counties Food Bank serves two counties in Oregon, providing food to nearly 5,600 households and distributing 26,000 pounds of food weekly.

WCIU-TV Supports Hunger Series

Weigel Broadcasting Co. is a supporter of the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s 86 Hunger Series. The Depository recently hosted more than 200 donors and guests at a local restaurant, NAHA, including Art Sims, entertainment contributor on Weigel’s WCIU-TV Chicago morning show, "You & Me This Morning." NAHA is the second of six restaurants to donate its culinary talent to help end hunger in the community. Weigel Broadcasting Co. is a long-standing partner of the Depository, which distributes food to 678,000 Cook County residents each year.

WHCF-FM Throws Bangor’s Biggest Baby Shower

January marked the "The Sanctity of Human Life Month," and to celebrate the occasion, Bangor Baptist Church’s WHCF-FM Bangor, Maine, wanted to support young mothers who are struggling. For over a month, WHCF-FM encouraged the public to purchase any new items that moms would need and drop them off at any of the eight drop-off locations throughout the state. The public came through, donating hundreds of diapers, wipes, baby clothes, bottles, formula and more. Collected items were donated to First Step Pregnancy Center in Bangor, the Pregnancy Care Center in Houlton and the Family Resource Center in Calais.

Third Annual CanDo! Food Drive Raises 36,938 Pounds of Food for Eugene, Ore., Families

Fisher Communications’ KVAL-TV in Eugene, Ore., and its sister stations, KCBY-TV Coos Bay and KPIC-TV Roseburg, part of the Fisher Broadcasting’s family of stations, recently held their third annual CanDo! Food Drive across Oregon. KVAL’s campaign culminated in a live remote broadcast on March 30, with 49 cut-ins from three locations starting at 5 a.m. and ending at 6:30 p.m. Food for Lane County’s Media Coordinator Dawn Marie Woodward, noted, "The drive not only brings in much needed food, but equally as valuable is the public awareness it brings to the issue of hunger in our community." KCBY-TV and KPIC-TV held similar CanDo! Food Drives resulting in another 18,500 pounds of food for their respective communities. Thanks to generous viewers, the food donated provided more than 14,500 meals for area residents.

Nick Cannon Gives Deserving Family New Car, Room Makeover

After a two week search based hundreds of listener nominations, a family in New Jersey received a holiday dream come true thanks to morning show host Nick Cannon’s “Breaking and Entering” Christmas. Cannon and his staff secretly entered the home of the unsuspecting family and placed tons of wrapped toys, electronics, and clothes under the tree. 92.3 NOW listeners made generous donations online to help out. The winning family received a catered dinner and a completely made-over living room with brand new furniture. As an added surprise, the family also came home to a brand new 2012 Toyota Camry in their driveway.
"Everyone deserves to have a happy holiday and Toyota of Hackensack was honored to be able to give a new Camry to the chosen family,” said owner Frank Holtham.
Both parents are going through chemotherapy while raising two young children. Due to their extensive medical bills, they are in need of financial help and couldn’t provide a proper Christmas for their children. They don’t know who was behind this holiday surprise, but the family was overjoyed to come home to a Christmas miracle.

KMXZ-FM Collects $16,000 and 4,500 pounds

Highlighting the true meaning of neighbors, KMXZ-FM in Tucson, Ariz., set out to replenish the shelves at the Tucson Food Bank with its annual “Thanksgiving on the Mayflower” campaign. The station broadcast live from the event, where listeners brought nonperishable food items and donations with a goal of filling a Mayflower moving truck. When the sunset approached, the community had given more than $16,000 in donations and 4,500 pounds of food in 13 hours, a new campaign record. “Our listeners were simply wonderful,” said morning show host Bobby Rich. “I can’t put it into words, but greeting folks who came all the way over just to make their donation gave me a good community feeling.”





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