New Online Fund Drive Gives Listeners A Chance To Pledge and Receive Great Premiums All Year Long

ALBANY, NY (06/11/2008)(readMedia)-- As a part of an ongoing effort to increase membership and provide for listeners who do not always get a chance to pledge during one of WAMC’s tri-annual fund drives, the station is launching an online drive that will be available to donors all year long.

What makes this different from the “pledge now” button that’s already active on WAMC’s website? It allows listeners to take advantage of some of the special giveaways that were previously only available during the on-air fund drive. Now, listeners will be able to select from a group of special, limited-edition premiums, including dated events. These premiums will be regularly updated, so listeners are encouraged to keep checking back to see what’s new. Right now, there are a handful of tickets still remaining for events at the popular Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Tanglewood, The Colonial Theatre, Proctors, and even events at The Linda, such as beloved meteorologist Mike Landin’s retirement party.

“Even though the on-air fund drive is over, we still need help so we can keep bringing you the best radio possible,” says WAMC’s President Alan Chartock, who leads the on-air drives. “One of the things people love most about the fund drives is the opportunity to take advantage of special premiums we are given to pass on to our listeners. We sometimes receive calls weeks after the drives are over from people asking if they could get this or that premium. Plus, there are times when generous sponsors offer us goodies that we literally don’t have time to get to, or events that take place between the fund drives. This way, everybody wins!”

WAMC receives hundreds of premiums from all over its listening regions from restaurants, retail shops, and organizations all wanting to help keep the station alive. “Membership money from the fund drives is the station’s bread-and butter,” says Chartock. “But the fact is, there are still nine out of ten listeners who haven’t taken the step to become members. Here’s an easy way for them to do so any time of year.”

To pledge all year round and to check out a list of currently available premiums, listeners can go to WAMC’s website, http://www.wamc.org and click on “Pledge Now” at the top of the page. For information on how your business or organization can help provide premiums for WAMC’s fund drives, contact Marcy Stengel at 518 465.5233, ext. 195 or e-mail mstengel@wamc.org.

WAMC/Northeast Public Radio is a non-commercial, listener supported public radio network broadcasting 24 hours a day to portions of seven New England and Middle Atlantic States. All broadcasts can also be heard on-line at www.wamc.org.

WAMC, 90.3 FM, Albany NY; WAMC, 1400AM, 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, 1150 AM, Utica, NY; WAMQ, 105.1 FM, Great Barrington MA; ; 93.1 FM, Troy; 99.3 FM, Oneonta; 97.1 FM, Hudson; 107.1 FM, Warwick; 107.7 FM, Newburgh; 103.9 FM, Beacon; 96.5 FM, Ellenville; 106.9, Middletown; 102.1, Highland, NY; 90.9 FM, Milford, PA and on-line at www.wamc.org.

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