Local Radio Broadcasters - Community Service

Local Broadcasters Excel at Community Service at Local, National and Worldwide Levels

In every community throughout Michigan, radio stations are at the forefront when it comes to creating awareness about important public issues, providing the latest information that affects peoples' daily lives, and forming powerful partnerships to address local concerns and help people in their community who are in need.

Local radio stations accomplish their missions to serve their community in a variety of ways, including regularly scheduled news and public affairs programs, frequent broadcasts of public service announcements, special events programs, charitable fundraisers, and special outreach programs and education efforts that expand beyond their daily broadcasting operations.

The Michigan Association of Broadcasters ( MAB ) Community Service and Localism Report best details the extent of commitment and contributions to the community by broadcasters in Michigan. The report, compiled from data collected in partnership with the National Association of Broadcasters, provides a compelling picture of the depth of involvement of local radio and television stations in their respective communities.

The report covers station community involvement in 2003 and details contributions made by broadcasters in three major areas; public service announcements, charitable fundraisers, and aid for victims of disasters.

Public Service Announcements
The average Michigan radio station broadcast 229 public service announcements (PSAs) per week, which translates to an annual dollar commitment of $681,512. More than 60 percent of those PSAs were dedicated to local issues. 93% of local radio stations used public service announcements as a means to conduct fundraisers for worthy organizations. 55% of local radio stations aired public affairs programs of at least 30 minutes in length. The leading topics of public service campaigns included poverty/hunger/homelessness issues, health and disease issues, national charities, children's charities, and literacy and adult education.

Primary recipients included the American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Caring House Domestic Violence Shelter, The Salvation Army, and United Way.

Charitable Fundraisers
Michigan 's radio stations helped charitable causes and needy individuals raise $36 million in 2003. Among the communities and worthy causes that benefited were:

Adrian - WLEN-FM helped secure $7,000 for the Lenawee County Humane Society;

Alpena - WATZ-FM raised $1,900 for The St. Bernard's Friendship room;

Ann Arbor- WQKL-FM brought in 117 tons of food plus cash during the "Rockin' For The Hungry" food drive;

Detroit - WMUZ-FM collected 375 pints of blood for the American Red Cross;

Detroit - WWJ-AM helped raise $209,607 for The Heat and Warmth Fund;

Detroit - WRIF-FM raised $23,000 through a special concert for the Sabrina Black Fund;

Detroit - WYCD-FM raised $340,000 in its "99.5 WYCD Hunt for a Cure to Benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital" fundraiser;

Detroit - WPHS-FM, student radio station of Cousino High School , raised $4,000 for PAWS with a Cause;

Detroit - WOMC-FM and The Salvation Army raised $1.5 million to feed and shelter Detroit 's homeless and hungry;

Detroit - WDFN-AM raised $120,00 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Michigan;

Detroit - WMGC-FM helped raise $32,000 for the Capuchin Soup Kitchen;

Flint - A four-day radiothon sponsored by Hurley Medical Center and WWCK-FM raised $85,573 for the Children's Miracle Network;

Flint - WWBN-FM helped raise $6,500 in cash and toys for the Whaley Children's Center of Flint;

Flint - WDZZ-FM along with the Urban League of Flint raised more than $3,000 to support Urban League youth development programs;

Flint - WCRZ-FM raised $20,860 plus a truckload of non-perishable foods for the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan;

Grand Rapids - WLAV-FM raised more than $22,000 for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society;

Grand Rapids - WKLQ-FM raised more than $50,000 in cash and goods plus 10,000 Christmas cards for Michigan troops in Iraq;

Grand Rapids - WODJ-FM raised more than $2,300 for the USO; Kalamazoo - WKZO-AM raised $30,016 for Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes;

Kalamazoo - WQLR-FM played an important part in a charity walk that raised more than $100,000 for the American Diabetes Association;

Lansing - WLGH-FM, along with the Capital Area Salvation Army, distributed more than 360 Easter food baskets to needy families;

Lansing - WHZZ-FM helped raise $15,000 for Angel House;

Mt. Pleasant - WCFX-FM raised four complete truckloads of items for the Salvation Army, three truck loads for the Food pantry, and 1,136 pounds of food for the Soup Kitchen, as well as significant amount of cash donations;

Port Huron - WPHM-FM raised over $200,000 for the March of Dimes;

Saginaw - WCEN-FM helped raise $142,000 during its "Moose Country Cares for St. Jude Kids" Radiothon;

Saginaw - WKQZ-FM raised $5,000 for Easter Seals of Michigan;

Traverse City - WTCM-AM/FM raised $90,000 for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northwest Michigan.

Aid For Victims of Disaster
Michigan 's local radio stations have always been there to serve the community in times of great need. The powerful reach of radio goes well beyond the local communities they are licensed to serve as best demonstrated by fundraising efforts in the aftermath of national disasters, including the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina which slammed into Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. In 2003, Michigan 's local radio stations were instrumental in raising $919,091 for victims of disasters.

Whether close to home or reaching out to those in states far away, Michigan broadcasters can always be counted on to partner with community service agencies and government officials to deliver aid to those who need it the most.

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Local Broadcasters Excel at Community Service at Local, National and Worldwide Levels