Twin Cities Volunteer Initiative Kicks Off 60th Anniversary of KTIS Radio to Celebrate Founder Billy Graham

ST.PAUL, MN (08/06/2009)(readMedia)-- In celebration of its 60-year anniversary and founder, Rev. Billy Graham, KTIS radio announces three special events under the theme of "Living Out the Legacy." A Twin Cities-wide community service initiative, called "60 Days of Service," is recognized by a City of Saint Paul Proclamation for the months of August and September. A luncheon for listeners and a concert culmination of festivities will feature two of Graham's daughters in October.

KTIS, the Midwest's largest Christian radio station, also announces its four honorary chairpersons for "Living Out the Legacy:" First Lady Mary Pawlenty, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Governor Al Quie, and Bob Naegele, Jr.

The proclamation states: "Whereas, In celebration of its 60th Anniversary, KTIS will encourage more than 400,000 listeners and the faith community across the Twin Cities in "Living Out the Legacy" by coming together to organize their companies, churches, and youth teams to volunteer to make a difference in our community..."

Large and small groups of people are being encouraged by KTIS to volunteer during its "60 Days of Service" initiative, from August 5 to October 3, especially in key areas of emphasis as identified by both cities' mayoral offices: hunger, schools, homelessness/ displacement, and environment/ beautification. As part of its "Living Out the Legacy" anniversary, KTIS has created a web site (www.icanhelptwincities.com) that serves as the central hub linking volunteer opportunities to those identified by Twin Cities service organizations.

"As part of our mission to make the Twin Cities a better place to live, especially for families, the station encourages listeners in various random acts of kindness," according to Paul Virts, senior vice president for media at Northwestern College and general manager of KTIS radio. During the "60 Days of Service," the station will offer listeners the opportunity to volunteer alongside KTIS personalities.

"We see giving practical and tangible 'legs' to volunteer opportunities as living out Rev. Graham's legacy every day," says Virts. "If all we did is play music and talk about how people of faith should live, without getting out into the community, it wouldn't be true to the station's mission."

The "60 Days of Service" will culminate in two events where the station's legacy will be the key theme:

• A Listeners' Luncheon on Friday, October 2 will feature Ruth Graham and Gigi Graham who will speak about the legacy of their father to men and women who gather at Grace Church in Eden Prairie.
• A Concert Celebration on Saturday, October 3 will culminate the "60 Days of Service" with Christian recording artists Michael W. Smith and Matthew West at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center. The celebration will include a 1,000-voice choir of Twin Cities singers who will be led by Dan Leverence of Constance Evangelical Free Church in Andover, Minn. Both Grahams will speak in addition to acknowledgement of the "60 Days of Service" volunteers. Tickets for both events are available at www.livingoutthelegacy.com. The cost for the luncheon is $15. The cost for the celebration ranges from $17 to $45.

"Living Out the Legacy" celebrates the legacy of KTIS radio in the Greater Twin Cities area and, specifically, Billy Graham's founding of KTIS radio in 1949. The station has touched millions of people's lives for Christ and, in turn, listeners have looked to KTIS for ways to live out their faith - creating their own legacies - through volunteer opportunities and intentional acts of kindness. For more information, visit www.livingoutthelegacy.com.

About KTIS: KTIS 98.5 FM and KTIS AM 900 are owned by Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minn. Northwestern's media network includes 16 radio stations in eight markets in the Upper Midwest. It also operates a satellite radio network, distributing programming to its six stations in the region.

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Note to editor: A full copy of the City of Saint Paul Proclamation is available at www.livingoutthelegacy.com.

Contact: Morgan Wood

KTIS Promotions Director

651-631-5015 (office) 612-961-9150 (cell)

morgan@ktis.fm