WAMC Helps People In Need During Record Breaking Fund Drive

ALBANY, NY (02/10/2020) (readMedia)-- In record-breaking time, WAMC/Northeast Public Radio's February Fund Drive mobilized listeners to help provide diapers to low income families as well as a one night stay for homeless individuals in an emergency shelter.

WAMC started and ended the Fund Drive in one morning. It began Feb. 10 at 6 a.m. By 7:50 a.m., the station reached its $1 million goal. The drive began with $901,282 already pledged in a record-breaking Locked Box. That led to the fastest Fund Drive on record.

The Seymour Fox Memorial Foundation once again asked the station's listeners to donate to the Fund Drive in honor of two of the foundation's long-time community initiatives.

For each $100 pledge to WAMC, the Seymour Fox Memorial Foundation made it possible for three homeless people to stay at Joseph's House emergency shelter for one night. In total this collaboration helped 900 homeless individuals receive lodging for a night, including a warm and safe place to sleep, three meals, access to personal care, access to medical and dental care, legal services and other support services to help them stay off the street.

In the U.S., 5.3 million children aged 3 or younger live in poor or low-income families. In addition to this, 1 in 3 American families report experiencing diaper need and diapers cannot be obtained with food stamps. Currently, no state or federal child safety-net program allocates dollars specifically for the purchase of diapers. Taking the initiative, WAMC partnered with The Seymour Fox Foundation to help over 260 babies this February. The WAMC listeners donated in support of this collaboration with The Food Pantries of the Capital Region, helping to provide a month of diapers for babies in need.

WAMC President and CEO Alan Chartock says, "Thank you all - without you, without the listeners, supporters and volunteers this isn't possible. This was the fastest Fund Drive on record and that really says something. We are extremely grateful and we thank you."

Joe Donahue, Roundtable Host/Senior Advisor, adds: "What a wonderful way to come back after a medical leave. I am continually gobsmacked by the love, compassion and generosity of our listeners. Whatever the situation going on in the world, our community always rises to the occasion and we love them for it."

WAMC is proud to work with wonderful local organizations during its drives, and will continue to shed light on the great work they do. WAMC is a listener-supported station relies on contributions to stay alive. Its fundraising primarily occurs three times a year: February, June, and October. Each drive has a $1 million goal to support the general operations of WAMC/Northeast Public Radio.

If you're interested in finding out more about our Fund Drives, or to donate or volunteer, please contact Amber Sickles at 1-800-323-9262 ext. 133.

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.

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