With the Thanksgiving holiday just a couple of days away in the United States, broadcasters across the country have been raising funds to benefit the less fortunate. From city-wide radiothons to “friendsgiving” concerts to food bank donations, our radio circles have been busy giving back to their communities. In this story, we feature a roundup of heartwarming stories that have been sent to Radio World’s inbox.
We know that these stories represent a very small percentage of all the community events taking place across the U.S. Want to share how your station giving back this holiday season? Email me at [email protected].
“It Takes a City”
Beasley Media Group’s WMMR’s 28th-annual “Preston & Steve’s Camp Out for Hunger” set a new record, collecting more than 1.8 million pounds of food and $1.6 million in cash to support individuals and families in need. Proceeds benefit Philabundance — the Delaware Valley’s largest hunger relief organization, which acquires, rescues and distributes food to those in need while advocating for greater food access across the region.
From 6 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, through 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, morning hosts Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison camped out and broadcast live outside Xfinity Mobile Arena in South Philadelphia, rallying listeners and businesses from across the tri-state area to donate food and funds.
WMMR said in a press release that this year’s event carried a powerful new layer of meaning following the sudden passing of WMMR DJ Pierre Robert. Listeners, clients and guests paid tribute throughout the week, donating in Pierre’s honor.
“In the shadow of the unimaginable loss of our beloved Pierre Robert, The Preston & Steve Show, WMMR, all of our listeners, partners, clients and friends did something extraordinary,” said WMMR Program Director Chuck Damico. “ This year’s Camp Out for Hunger will go down as one of the most difficult things we all ever had to do but also somehow one of the most magical. We are so grateful to absolutely every single person that anything at all to do it. It doesn’t just take a village. It takes a whole city!”
Feeding the hearts & bellies of our Camp Out For Hunger crew wouldn’t be possible without our incredible partners. THANK YOU for making it happen. @LorenzoandSons #partner pic.twitter.com/gBqvn1D75g
— 93.3 WMMR (@933WMMR) November 14, 2025
Feeding the Hungry
Little Rock News/Talk station 102.9 KARN(FM) successfully concluded its “United We Feed Food Drive” benefiting the Arkansas Food Bank, helping local families struggling with food insecurity and hunger. The Cumulus Media station put its on-air and digital platform to work to collect donations of 4,000 pounds of food and $8,075 during the two-day event held Nov. 6–7.
Toby Howell, program director of KARN, said: “It is a special gift to be able to bring our community together to help our neighbors struggling with hunger and food insecurity. We thank everyone who donated to help make the holidays a little brighter.”
Making Wishes Come True
KRLD(AM) “NewsRadio 1080,” an Audacy station in Dallas, raised more than $30,000 to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas. All proceeds go towards granting life-changing wishes for children facing critical illnesses.
On Nov.13, morning show host Joe Kelley began broadcasting live from Nebraska Furniture Mart at Grandscape. Throughout the day, he encouraged the community to donate and shared the stories of families whose lives have been transformed by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“It was an honor to be part of KRLD’s first Make-A-Wish radiothon,” said Kelley in a press release. “I’ve been involved in wish-granting fundraisers for nearly 20 years now and together with listeners and partners, we’ve helped raise more than $4 million for kids who need hope the most. As a two-time childhood cancer survivor, this organization is near to my heart, and every year, I’m reminded that the generosity of my community is the real story. I’m just grateful I get to help shine a light on it.”
Turkey Donations Galore
For the 16th year in a row, “The Steve Harvey Morning Show” and Premiere Networks, a subsidiary of iHeartMedia, are giving away thousands of turkeys as part of “The Steve Harvey Morning Show Annual Turkey Give.”
This year, more than 7,000 turkeys have been distributed to iHeart affiliates, helping families in need celebrate Thanksgiving. The giveaways are taking place in markets across the country, including WBLS(FM) in New York, WVAZ(FM) in Chicago, WDAS(FM) in Philadelphia, KRNB(FM) in Dallas, WAMJ(FM) in Atlanta, WHUR(FM) in Washington, D.C., WBAV(FM) in Charlotte, N.C., and WMXD(FM) in Detroit.
“We are happy to do this for the Steve Harvey Nation every year and we want to shout out all the markets participating this year,” said Shirley Strawberry, co-host of The Steve Harvey Morning Show, in a press release. “Thank you all for your help in getting the turkeys distributed in your communities!”
Since the Turkey Give was launched in 2009, more than 120,000 turkeys have been given to those in need.
Happy Meals in Memphis
Memphis Rock station WXMX(FM) “98.1 The Max” raised more than $1 million for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis in its annual “98.1 The Max Ronald McDonald House Radiothon” on Friday, Nov. 7. This was the second consecutive year that WXMX’s community fundraiser brought in more than $1 million in a single day.
All funds raised will go directly toward housing, meals and support services for families staying at Ronald McDonald House of Memphis, ensuring they can focus on what matters most — their child’s healing.
“This community never ceases to amaze us,” said Danni Bruns, program director for WXMX. “Every dollar raised helps provide a home-away-from-home for families facing unimaginable challenges. We’re honored to be part of something so meaningful.”
“This is what local radio is all about — connecting with the community and making a real difference,” said Morgan Bohannon, VP and market manager of Cumulus Memphis. “We’re incredibly proud of our team and grateful to our listeners for stepping up in such a big way. The Ronald McDonald House is a lifeline for families, and we’re honored to support their mission.”
Canine Companions for Veterans
In Seattle, KKWF “100.7 The Wolf” raised $400,000 during its 5th-annual “Operation K9 Companion,” benefitting Northwest Battle Buddies, which provides trained service dogs to veterans battling PTSD at no cost.
Led by “The Morning Wolfpack with Matt McAllister,” the Audacy station’s week-long fundraiser shared veterans’ personal stories and culminated in a benefit concert featuring Chris Janson, as well as an auction of a signed Johnny Cash guitar, ultimately funding service dogs for 16 Veterans.
“Supporting veterans is a cause that our morning show is deeply passionate about. We are thankful for these brave American heroes and recognize the struggles that often come following their service,” said McAllister in a press release. “We are so grateful to our incredible community for coming together to raise $400,000. Thanks to these generous donations, we provided life-changing service dogs to 16 Veterans at no cost.”
A Concert With a Cause
On Nov. 20, Brent Smith and Zach Myers of Shinedown performed at the Xcite Center at Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pa., as part of WRFF/ALT 104.5’s “Friendsgiving: Concert for a Cause.” The annual event raised $58,840 for City of Hope, one of the nation’s leading cancer research and treatment centers.
