News
June 9, 2015WAMC Ends Million Dollar Fund Drive with Some Very Creative Partnerships
ALBANY, NY (06/06/2015)(readMedia)– (ALBANY, NY June 2015) – WAMC Northeast Public Radio completed their fund drive, raising over one million dollars in under six days, thanks in large part to early donations totaling over $400,000, that were collected in the “Locked Box” before the fund drive even began. The Locked Box success was due in part to two very generous challenges, one from First Niagara Bank. The locked box is available between fund drives, enabling listeners to contribute any time, knowing their money will go to help shorten the fund drive.
“How many ways can you spell love? What a joint effort – all the people who gave all the money; the best volunteers in the world; Ray, Joe, Sara, Selma, Jessica, Ian, and James; the staff, especially all people in the front office who do all the work and all the people who gave challenges. A million dollars – imagine that!” said Alan Chartock, WAMC Northeast Public Radio’s President and CEO
The uniqueness of this drive centered around two very creative partnerships along with some very generous sponsors. For the second time this year, WAMC and WakaWaka teamed up to provide solar lights, this time to the survivors of the devastating earthquake in Nepal. WakaWaka (‘Shine Bright’ in Swahili) develops, manufactures and markets high-tech, low-cost solar powered lamps and chargers that are indispensable products both in the developing world and in the West. Members were able to pledge to WAMC and send a solar light to a village in Nepal. The second partnership was with NYSUT (New York United Teachers) and Kids In Need Foundation, whose mission is to ensure that every child is prepared to learn and succeed by providing school supplies nationally to students most in need. Thanks to NYSUT, members were able to leverage their pledges to help WAMC and to help these two organizations further their cause.
“We have been overwhelmed by the WAMC community’s desire to sustain not only WAMC, but also to help these most important of organizations and their missions. It makes the entire WAMC community stronger when we work together for these multiple goals.” said Joe Donahue, VP of News & Programming and Host of The Roundtable.
Thousands of WAMC members called in and pledged on-line all day and into the night to help reach the daily and hourly goals and eventually the fund drive goal. Many friends and business of the station stepped up with challenge pledges to help increase the amount of money raised in a day part. As always, WAMC welcomed new members into the WAMC family this drive, as well, proudly sharing that ever donation to the station gets you a membership. “There is no minimum pledge to be a part of this community”, added Chartock.
In addition to all the people who pledged during the on-air drive, hundreds of impassioned volunteers, also members, from all over the WAMC listening area answered phones, donating their time at the station’s Albany studios from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. Many volunteers of WAMC are fund drive veterans who dedicate their time and energy year after year to support the station that has become part of their daily lives. Many new groups, students, and individuals are added to the list each drive. The fund drive presents the opportunity for supporters to see old friends, make new ones, and re-connect with the staff.
Last but certainly not least, WAMC also thanks the hundreds of regional businesses and organizations who donated items, services, and food to the drive, happily caring for and feeding all who helped in the effort. Leading the pack each June are the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Tanglewood, each of whom donate hundreds of tickets to be used as premiums in the drive.WAMC’s fund drives are never possible without the combined efforts of all the contributing sponsors and supporters. All of the items donated are appreciated and received with much gratitude. For a listing of supporters, visit online at http://www.wamc.org/. We urge you to support them in return and thank them in person for being such an important part of the WAMC community.
WAMC’s fund drives help support the station’s award-winning local and regional reporting, membership to NPR and network programming as well as all of the station’s other day-to-day operations.
WAMC/Northeast Public Radio is a member of National Public Radio and an affiliate of Public Radio International. The station is a regional public radio network serving parts of seven northeastern states. Stations and translators are in twenty-eight locations throughout the region.
WAMC-FM 90.3 FM, Albany, NY; WAMC, 1400 AM, Albany, NY; WAMK 90.9 FM, Kingston, NY; WOSR, 91.7 FM, Middletown, NY; WCEL, 91.9 FM, Plattsburgh, NY; WCAN, 93.3 FM, Canajoharie, NY; WANC, 103.9 FM, Ticonderoga, NY; WRUN, 90.3 FM, Remsen-Utica, NY; WAMQ 105.1 FM, Great Barrington, MA; WWES 88.9 FM, Mt. Kisco, NY; WANZ 90.1 FM, Stamford, NY; WANR 88.5 FM, Brewster, NY; 103.9 FM, Beacon, NY; 97.3 FM, Cooperstown, NY; 96.5 FM, Ellenville, NY; 102.1 FM, Highland, NY; 97.1 FM, Hudson, NY; 106.3 FM, Middletown, NY; 90.9 FM, Milford, PA; 107.7 FM, Newburgh, NY; 99.3 FM, Oneonta, NY; 93.1 FM, Rensselaer-Troy, NY; 107.1 FM, Warwick, NY; 88.7 FM, Lake Placid, NY; 90.1 FM Oneonta, NY, 95.9 FM Peekskill, NY and online at www.wamc.org www.facebook.com/wamcradio
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