WAMC'S WINTER FUND DRIVE BREAKS ALL RECORDS

ALBANY, NY (02/05/2015)(readMedia)-- WAMC/Northeast Public Radio completed a record-breaking million dollar fund drive in just three and a half days. The on-air portion of the drive ended just after 12:30 pm on Thursday, February 5th.

Thanks to an incredibly successful Locked Box campaign and a major challenge from Berkshire Bank, WAMC entered the on-air portion of the Winter Fund Drive with over one-half of the million dollar goal already in hand. The Locked Box enables WAMC supporters to contribute between fund drives, knowing that every penny collected will shorten the on-air portion of the next fund drive. Additionally, a partnership with not-for-profit Reach Out and Read and Charlesbridge Publishing gave WAMC listeners the opportunity to help the station while at the same time promoting early childhood literacy in our region. Restaurants, businesses, museums, and local organizations donated items to keep the phones ringing and a host of dedicated volunteers braved winter storms and freezing temperatures to man the phones at WAMC's Albany headquarters.

"After all these years, it's hard to find new superlatives about our wonderful WAMC community; members, volunteers, and staff," said WAMC President and CEO, Alan Chartock. "Simply put, you are the best. Thank you."

The on-air portion of the fund drive began at 6 a.m. on Monday, February 2nd. Dedicated WAMC listeners called in and pledged on-line all day and into the night to help reach the daily and hourly goals, ultimately ending the drive on the morning of the fourth day. Many friends and business of the station stepped up with challenge pledges to help increase the amount of money raised in a day part. As always, the station welcomed many new members into the WAMC family.

In addition to all the people who pledged during the on-air drive, hundreds of devoted volunteers, also members, from all over the WAMC listening area answered phones, donating their time at the station's Albany studios from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. Many volunteers of WAMC are fund drive veterans who dedicate their time and energy year after year to support the station that has become part of their daily lives. The fund drive presents the opportunity for supporters to see old friends, make new ones, and re-connect with the staff.

WAMC's fund drives are never possible without the combined efforts of all the contributing sponsors and supporters. All of the items donated are appreciated and received with much gratitude. For a listing of supporters, visit online at wamc.org.

WAMC's fund drives help support the station's award-winning local and regional reporting, membership to NPR and network programming as well as all of the station's other day-to-day operations.

Member-supported WAMC Northeast Public Radio broadcasts news, informational and cultural programming to listeners in portions of seven northeastern states. WAMC is an award winning producer of regionally based programming and an affiliate of National Public Radio, American Public Media, and Public Radio International. To become a member go to: http://wamc.org/support-wamc

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