‘Tis the season. Radio and TV broadcast stations across the country have generated over $5.6 million in cash donations in November and December for various causes, along with thousands of pounds of food and groceries, according to Inside Radio. Some of the stations include:
Univision Radio stations across 15 markets raised $4.7 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during this year’s Promesa y Esperanza (Promise and Hope) radio event. The two-day radio campaign encouraged listeners nationwide to become Angeles de Esperanza (Angels of Hope) by pledging to make a monthly donation of $20 or more.
Beasley Media Group’s Southwest Florida radio stations partnered with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation of Lee County to host the Second Annual Beasley Bike Drive, collecting 947 bikes and $17,750 in gift cards and cash. In a joint broadcast, the six stations encouraged listeners and businesses to stop by the Toys for Tots Foundation at Walmart in Estero, FL and donate a bike or unwrapped toy.
Hubbard Broadcasting’s KRWM-FM, Seattle, took part in four charitable events this month. First, the station celebrated the 33rd annual Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition, featuring 35 caroling groups at Seattle’s Westlake Center. Registration fees and on site donations surpassed $98,000 for the Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank, which offers free meals, free groceries, one-on-one counseling, and other services to low-income and homeless neighbors throughout downtown Seattle.
Second, the station partnered with KING-TV in the same market, hoping to raise seven million meals for Northwest Harvest. The station produced live broadcasts from four locations around the Northwest, encouraging its audience to donate non-perishable food items. In addition to $10 Hunger Bags being sold at Safeway and Alberstons’ stores since, over 6.6 million meals have been donated.
KRWM helped the largest Jingle Bell Run in the U.S. raise over $320,000 for the Arthritis Foundation. The Seattle Jingle Bell run boasted 4,500 participants and volunteers. All of the raised funds will go towards research to find a cure.
KRWM, along with Bartell’s, raised $181,382 and collected a semi-truckload of toys for the 17th Annual Toy ‘N Joy donation drive in partnership with the Salvation Army.
Entercom’s WSSP-AM, Milwaukee, raised over $200,000 in cash and the value of toys to benefit Children’s Wisconsin and Robyn’s Nest during the station’s 13th annual toy drive. The amount topped the $160,000 the station raised in 2018. Broadcast live from Blain’s Farm & Fleet in Oak Creek, WI, the event included special guests such as Milwaukee Brewers GM David Stearns, former Green Bay Packer LeRoy Butler and former Milwaukee Buck Jon McGlocklin. Children’s Wisconsin is an independent health care system dedicated to youth. Robyn’s Nest houses and provides new and gently used clothing, hygiene products, infant items, toys, books, and other household goods to families within its foster care system and to those identified to have unmet needs through Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
Salem Media Group’s WGTK-FM, Greenville, SC, is doing a series of “Breakfast Broadcasts” to benefit the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. Morning show host Joey Hudson is airing his show breakfast restaurants in various areas of the state; he rings the bell and asks listeners to donate to the Salvation Army. So far, Hudson’s listeners have contributed just over $30,000.
Cumulus Media’s KSCS-FM, Dallas-Ft Worth, held its 6th Annual Cook Children’s Radiothon at North East Mall in Hurst, TX. The station ended its 10-hour broadcast by announcing a total $175,000 raised for the non-profit Children’s Miracle Network hospital. Listeners were still calling to make donations after the broadcast, so the total raised that day was $178,386.97.
December 23, 2019
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