Radio Doing Good covers how broadcasters contribute to their communities and is a regular feature in the print edition of Radio World.
It’s not every day that you get to entertain 50,000 of your friends, but thanks to Cumulus Media’s WNBM(FM), folks in the Bronx enjoyed a massive free event featuring fireworks, family activities, balloon artists, magicians and music performances.
Cases of water take up a lot of space.
Courtesy KKLZ(FM)
The R&B station was honored by the Bronx Borough president’s office with a special proclamation recognizing their commitment to community service for the area. The proclamation read: “I, Ruben Diaz Jr., president of the Borough of the Bronx, am pleased to commend you for your generosity and goodwill to your neighbors and friends!”
HYDRATED AND HAPPY
In the desert, having water available for the needy is a must. Beasley Media Group’s KKLZ(FM) collected more than 1,200 cases of water to benefit the Salvation Army of Las Vegas.
The effort was the brainchild of morning personalities Mike and Carla. It began with the team putting the word out that the Salvation Army was in dire need of bottled water, and it turned into a collection that helps thousands every year.
During Project: H20 listeners who dropped off a case of water received four tickets to KKLZ’s Raider’s pre-season viewing party, and people who donated five or more cases got a $50 pizza gift card. Anyone donating one hundred cases received a match from a local car dealership.
Program Director Mike O’Brian said, “Most people think the city is just the Las Vegas Strip, but behind the lights, the marquees, the celebrities, and everything else that goes on, people should know there is a true community spirit here. This was a great example of that!”
TRADE IN FOR GOOD
In Orlando, Fla., iHeartMedia’s WTKS(FM) is teaming up once again with local law enforcement and Crimeline to increase the safety of central Florida for the 19th annual Kicks 4 Guns. It’s a program that asks Floridians to anonymously trade unwanted firearms for a gift card, no questions asked.
The drive was initiated because on-air personality Russ Rollins decided to make a difference when a local boy was murdered for his shoes. Russ’s idea was to create a gun buyback event that offers brand new shoes in exchange for guns.
Over the past 19 years, Kicks 4 Guns has collected over 10,000 guns, including illegal and stolen guns, pipe bombs, grenades, and a missile launcher.
FOR THE TROOPS
Hubbard Broadcasting’s WARH(FM) in St. Louis collected several dozen suits as part of the “Boots to Suits” campaign.The fundraiser collected suits for local veterans returning to the workforce from deployment and were donated to “Dress for Success Midwest.”