With the Christmas 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 toy drives to fundraising for local children’s hospitals, 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].
Helping Our Furry Friends
WBEN(AM) and WLKK(FM) — Audacy stations in Buffalo — raised $132,000 during the 22nd-annual “SPCA Serving Erie County Radiothon” presented by Trocaire College. Proceeds from the radiothon help the SPCA provide vital care, including food, shelter and medical attention to pets and wildlife.
“This annual event really brings the community together and the amount raised is a testament to the generosity of our listeners,” said Tim Wenger, senior vice president and market manager for Audacy Buffalo. “We love supporting SPCA’s mission and giving second chances to pets and animals in Buffalo.”
The radiothon took place on Dec. 11. Throughout the day, station hosts featured interviews and stories showcasing the impact of the SPCA Serving Erie County in the Buffalo community. Listeners were also invited to adopt a new pet, with half-off adoption fees for animals six months and older.
Toys for South Florida
Also on Dec. 11: WXKB’s annual “Turn Up for Toys Toy Drive” raised more than $26,000 for the Salvation Army. The Beasley Media Group station also collected a box truck full of bikes and toys to help families across southwest Florida celebrate the holiday season.
The four-hour live broadcast, held from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., was powered by the passion and commitment of Budman and Marija of the WXKB “Wild Bunch Morning Show,” along with the support of listeners, community partners and the Beasley Fort Myers team.
“I’m really proud of Budman and Marija,” said Adam Star, WXKB operations manager. “They made Christmas possible for so many families, and it’s a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we come together and use the power of radio.”
A Busload of Gifts
Speaking of toy drives: WNVZ(FM), an Audacy station in Norfolk, Va., hosted its 20th-annual “Stuff the Bus Toy Drive,” benefiting Toys for Tots. The drive, which ran from Dec. 1–5, brought in 10,438 toys and 170 bicycles.
During the week, WNVZ hosts did live broadcasts from various Hampton Roads venues. The local community came out to stuff the bus with new, unwrapped toys, including Congresswoman Jen Kiggans, Mayor Phillip Jones and Sheriff Rocky Holcomb.
Shaggy, a dedicated supporter since the Toy Drive’s inception, received the Commander’s Award from Toys for Tots, the highest recognition given by the U.S. Marine Corps to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Toys for Tots mission. His dedication was further acknowledged by a letter of gratitude from Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Stronger Together
Dec. 11 was indeed a very busy day for radio! Beasley Media Group Charlotte’s WNKS(FM) spread holiday cheer with purpose during its “Secret Santa Radiothon,” raising more than $25,000 for the Autism Strong Foundation during a 13-hour live broadcast.
Organizers said listeners showed up in a big way — calling, donating and sharing personal stories to support families touched by autism. The funds raised will help the Autism Strong Foundation continue providing financial assistance, fostering community and delivering hope to those navigating the autism journey.
Golfing for Charity
iHeartMedia Houston’s annual “St. Jude Week” kicked off on Dec. 8 with a golf competition. With subsequent radiothons held across the cluster on Dec. 11 and 12, the radio group raised more than $1 million for the children’s hospital.
The “St. Jude Houston Golf Classic,” held at the Golf Club of Houston, was an event led by Paul Lambert, president of iHeartMedia Houston, with the help of on-air personalities Michael Berry and Doug Pike. The Golf Classic raised over $400,000. Radiothons at the end of the week broadcast on KODA(FM), KTBZ(FM), KTRH(AM), KBME(AM) and KPRC(AM) raised over $600,000.
“Because of fundraisers like ours, families at St. Jude never have to worry about a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food,” said Marc Sherman, executive vice president of programming. “Their only focus can be helping their child fight for life. That’s the gift our donors, listeners and sponsors make possible — and we are profoundly grateful for their compassion and support.”
Since 2013, iHeartMedia Houston has raised more than $7 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Making Wishes Come True
The 29th-annual “Make-A-Wish Request-A-Thon” on Cumulus Media’s WZPL(FM) in Indianapolis raised $824,983 and granted 82 wishes during its 36-hour, live special broadcast Dec. 4–5. The event benefitted the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
WZPL sounded a bit different for those 36 hours because the station played anything that donating listeners requested — from the Ohio State Fight song to N’Sync’s “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,” to songs from KPop Demon Hunters and everything in between.
Organizers said “The Smiley Morning Show” team was live on-air for the entire 36 hours, fueled by caffeine and a desire to help as many Hoosier kids as possible. Cumulatively, the Make-A-Wish Request-A-Thon has raised over $13 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation over the past 29 years.
Radio Keeps Giving
iHeartMedia San Diego’s eight radio stations participated in the 8th-annual “iHeart Rady Children’s Giveathon” — held in partnership with Rady Children’s Hospital — on Dec. 9–10.
Participating iHeart San Diego stations, including included KHTS(FM), KIOZ(FM), KMTI(FM), KGB(FM), KSSX(GM), KOGO(AM), KGB(AM) and KLSD(AM), held live broadcasts from their studios each day of the Giveathon between 6 a.m.–6 p.m. During the broadcasts, stations’ on-air personalities interviewed current and former patients, families and physicians who shared their stories and experiences with listeners.
The two-day Giveathon raised over $415,000 in donations to benefit local patients in the community, bringing the eight-year total to more than $3.6 million in raised funds. Donations made to Rady Children’s help fund lifesaving technology and research and provide a safety net for children with little or no private medical insurance.
“The generosity of our listeners will help ensure that every child gets the best care possible, right here in our community,” said Noreen Ippolito, market president for iHeartMedia San Diego.
