WAMC Helps People In Need And Raises $2 Million In February Fund Drive

ALBANY, NY (02/06/2018) (readMedia)-- WAMC/Northeast Public Radio's February Fund Drive was a momentous effort that resulted in raising $2 million to ensure that WAMC will stay on the air. This one-time $2 million drive ended at 10:59 a.m. on Feb. 6, 2018 and helped purchase the tower on Mt. Greylock, a major broadcast tower that carries WAMC's signal. This tower impacts a large part of the listening area, and moving would have significantly cut the signal range.

"It's unbelievable. We are a community and there's nothing else we can say but thanks to all who gave so much, some even giving two, three or four times. I can't tell you how grateful we are to be able to ensure our future by buying the tower we have been on all these years," said Dr. Alan Chartock, WAMC's President and CEO. Dr. Chartock answered a variety of listener questions about the purchase of the Greylock Tower in the January 2018 issue of the WAMC Program Guide.

WAMC partnered with a variety of organizations in the drive. The MountainOne Community Dividend Program in partnership with The Berkshire Food Project and WAMC helped to provide and serve 1,000 meals.

The Seymour Fox Foundation and The Food Pantries of the Capital District provided 320 months of diapers for needy babies, and Joseph's House gave about 1,548 nights worth of housing for the homeless. The Adirondack Council retired 87 tons of carbon, accelerating the rate of carbon pollution cleanup.

"The love and support of the WAMC family never fails to amaze me. Two million dollars! We raised this money while helping to address three of the seven acts of mercy – food, clothing (diapers) and shelter. It shows the beauty of community and what we can do when we come together for the common good," said Joe Donahue, Senior Director of News and Programming.

WAMC's three annual Fund Drives are successful because of the combined efforts of listeners, donors, volunteers, sponsors and supporters. "WAMC is grateful to the volunteers who gave us their time and the businesses who donated items, services, and food in support of the Fund Drive," added Chartock. "This enormous effort is not possible without their support."

A complete list of supporters is available at wamc.org. Anyone interested in learning more about the Fund Drive or getting involved should contact Colleen O'Connell, Fund Drive Manager, at 518-465-5233 x171.

WAMC Northeast Public Radio is a non-commercial, public radio station and nonprofit organization that presents award-winning news and cultural programming 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. WAMC's listening area reaches parts of seven states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire; as well as parts of Canada. With over 400,000 monthly listeners, WAMC ranks among the most-listened-to public radio stations in the United States. WAMC is a member of National Public Radio and an affiliate of Public Radio International. For more information on WAMC, please visit www.wamc.org or call 518-465-5233.

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; 106.3 FM Dover Plains, NY; 96.5 FM, Ellenville, NY; 102.1 FM, Highland, NY; 97.1 FM, Hudson, NY; 88.7 FM Lake Placid, NY; 106.3 FM, Middletown, NY; 90.9 FM, Milford, PA; 107.7 FM, Newburgh, NY; 90.1 FM Oneonta, NY; 99.3 FM Oneonta, NY; 95.9 FM Peekskill, NY; 93.1 FM, Rensselaer-Troy, NY; 92.9 FM Scotia, NY, 107.1 FM, Warwick, NY, and online at www.wamc.org, www.facebook.com/wamcradio, and www.twitter.com/wamcradio.