WAMC's Fund Drive Exceeds All Expectations

ALBANY, NY (10/17/2017) (readMedia)-- In one day and a morning, WAMC/Northeast Public Radio once again successfully concluded its $1 million fund drive, after having raised the first $500,000 in advance of the on-air portion of the drive. The on-air drive ended at 9:20 a.m. Tuesday with pledges still coming in.

In addition to supporting the station, listeners' contributions made it possible to send 1,930 Waka Waka solar powered lights/charging units to Puerto Rico after the recent devastating hurricane and, in partnership with the Seymour Fox Foundation and MVP Health Care, to provide more than 54,370 pounds of food to the Food Pantries of the Capital District.

WAMC's devoted listeners have faithfully supported the station and kept WAMC programming on the air consistently for years, but are now giving at an accelerated rate.

"It's amazing," says WAMC's President and CEO Alan Chartock. "In these troubled times, I can't tell you how much it means to see everyone coming together to support our station. WAMC is a great example of what an extended community can do if they set their minds to it. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped bring in the million dollars, from donors to the Locked Box to the challengers to the listeners who pledged during the drive."

WAMC's Vice President for News and Programming, Joe Donahue, agrees.

"We simply love our listeners," Donahue says. "Once the drive started and we asked them for help, the flood gates opened and there was no stopping them. Over and over, they told us how happy they were to be there for those who so desperately needed help."

WAMC partnered with Waka Waka ("Shine Bright" in Swahili), an international organization that develops, manufactures and markets high-tech, low-cost solar powered lamps and chargers that are essential both in the developing world and in the West. Listeners commented on how pleased they were to be able to help their fellow Puerto Rican citizens, so many of whom have been living in darkness since the island's power grid went down. The Food Pantries for the Capital District also benefitted from listeners' generosity, as their contributions triggered major donations to fill the shelves of food pantries that serve the region's food insecure.

WAMC's three annual Fund Drives have enjoyed continued success because of the combined efforts of listeners, donors, volunteers, sponsors and supporters. A complete list of supporters is available at wamc.org. Anyone interested in learning more about the Fund Drive or to get involved should contact Colleen O'Connell, Fund Drive Manager at 465-5233x171.

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.