WAMC Winter Fund Drive Beginning Monday, February 2, 2009

ALBANY, NY (01/27/2009)(readMedia)-- WAMC/Northeast Public Radio will begin its annual winter fund drive on Monday, February 2nd. The goal is to raise $800,000.00. The money raised supports the station's award-winning local and regional reporting, programming from NPR and other sources, plus the day-to-day station operations.

Alan Chartock, WAMC Northeast Public Radio's President says, "Let's start with the most important of all. We love and trust those people who listen and who have built this place. We believe that our people know what they have here. It's a matter of priorities. If everyone does something, we can't lose."

WAMC's listeners look forward to the unique fund drive format, driven primarily by Chartock and the always engaging fund drive team. In fact, listener data shows that online and radio listening increases during the fund drive. Listeners will hear in-depth interviews with special guests, have opportunities to pledge for special gifts and premiums, enter drawings, and laugh at humorous anecdotes plus enjoy many more of WAMC's Fund Drive traditions.

"These are the toughest economic times I have seen in my lifetime and we need this radio station more than ever. We were there for some of the worst political times and now we'll be there to get everyone through this mess. So, we know and love and trust those who listen and now it's up to all of us to make this happen," added Alan, who himself spends countless hours on the air and in the planning stages before and during the fund drive activities.

The WAMC fund drive will begin Monday, February 2nd and will run from 6:00 a.m. through 12:00 midnight every day until the goal is reached. Many local, regional and national businesses and individuals help the station raise their funds and show their continued support of WAMC by generously donating items, food and services for on-air giveaways and drawings. Plus a fund drive would not be complete without mention of the hundreds of wonderful volunteers who will once again donate their time to answer telephones during the drive. WAMC is always looking for volunteers and donators. If you would like to volunteer your time, please contact Katherine Stephens at 800-323-9262 extension 171 or kstephens@wamc.org. If your business would like to make a donation for the station to use as a pledge incentive during the fund drive, please contact Marcy Stengel at 800-323-9262 extension 195 or mstengel@wamc.org.

Listeners may make contributions before, during and after the fund drive at WAMC's secure website, http://www.wamc.org/. Beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Monday February 2nd, listeners can phone in at (800) 323-9262.

Money raised during the fund drive will support the following WAMC Northeast Public Radio's station network: WAMC-FM 90.3 FM, Albany; WAMC, 1400 AM, Albany; WAMK 90.9 FM, Kingston; WOSR, 91.7 FM, Middletown; WCEL, 91.9 FM, Plattsburgh; WCAN, 93.3 FM, Canajoharie; WANC, 103.9 FM, Ticonderoga; WRUN, 1150 AM, Utica; 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 and 90.9 FM, Milford, PA.

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