Broadcasters, associated organizations and radio suppliers continue to announce hurricane-related fundraisers or available assistance. A sampling:
– Telos, Omnia and Axia Audio put out a statement saying it is ready to help broadcasters with facilities affected. It said it is offering “priority technical support, troubleshooting and loaner equipment.” The supplier said it is staffing after-hours e-mail tech support, with call-backs where needed. Telos also said it is matching its employees’ donations to the American Red Cross.
– Harris Corp. made arrangements to provide pre-made shelters with transmitters and equipment pre-wired and shipped to customer’s site via flatbed, according to a posting by the company’s Hal Kneller on the SBE Web site. “We have partnered with antenna and other vendors to provide turnkey installations and to provide, if needed, long-term financing. We can also supply emergency equipment (audio or RF).”
– KZIA(FM-HD) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, put out a call to its listeners to help fill a semi-trailer with supplies for the victims of the storm and ensuing flood. Listeners answered the call, and filled 10 semi-trailers. The station said 200 tons of supplies headed to a Feed the Children distribution site, where the goods will be sorted and donated to victims in Louisiana, Mississippi and surrounding areas.
– Aug. 31 had been scheduled as Kidd’s Kids Day for Clear Channel station KISS(FM) in Dallas. Morning host Kidd Kraddick would lead a fundraiser for a non-profit organization benefiting children with special needs. The station redirected its efforts toward the American Red Cross. DJs were posted at locations collecting donations, and proceeds from a lunch at a local restaurant were donated to the relief effort. The event raised $270,000. The original fundraiser will be held later.
– Philadelphia’s WRDW(FM), a Beasley station, hosted Rocco’s Ride to Hurricane Relief, in which morning host Rocco the Janitor stationed himself at a local Wal-Mart with an empty 18-wheeler for five days, in hopes of filling the truck with donated bottled water. Rocco heads down to the Gulf now with 80,000 pounds of water.
– The Indianapolis Colts, Peyton Manning, Marsh Supermarkets and Clear Channel station WFBQ(FM) are sponsoring two fundraisers for the American Red Cross. A live radio auction on The Bob and Tom Show network will be hosted on 150 stations. And through end of the month, Marsh Supermarkets is giving shoppers an opportunity to donate to their grocery bill.
– Regent Communications’ WGNA(FM) in Schenectady, N.Y., encouraged donations for the American Red Cross at its WGNA Live on Location events and said it would accept donations at the station. One listener raised the stakes by pledging to match donations made through WGNA, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000.
– Journal Broadcast Group said its radio and TV stations had secured pledges worth more than $1.1 million as of Sept. 2 through live phone banks, radio interviews, newscast coverage, radio-thons and PSAs. Stations also have collected non-perishable items like bottled water by the truckload to send to affected areas.
– The Radio Advertising Bureau said it is making its online auction software ezAuction available free to any member stations that want to use the service for hurricane relief efforts. Only credit card processing fees will apply. “This will allow Radio stations to generate relief funds that can help the victims of Hurricane Katrina,” it said.
