Morehead State Public Radio’s 2019 Spring Fundraiser and Membership Drive will be held Saturday, March 30 through Friday, April 5.
“This is our annual spring fundraiser and membership drive when we directly seek financial support from our listeners,” said Paul Hitchcock, MSPR general manager. “We’ll be asking WMKY listeners to step-forward with a financial gift to support our programming and student work-studies.”
WMKY at 90.3FM serves more than twenty counties throughout eastern Kentucky with regional news and cultural programming from the campus of Morehead State University. The station continues to be a voice for the community with programming that is locally-hosted and produced. In addition, MSPR’s website provides regional news, live web stream, archived audio and community events.
“The money we raise helps us maintain our grant funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,” added Hitchcock. “Our ability to raise local funds helps us meet criteria for grants to purchase national programming, such as Morning Edition, The World and All Things Considered.”
An emphasis on regional and state news continues to be a key aspect of MSPR’s programming with more than two hours of local news each weekday and highlighted by Mountain Edition, a half-hour roundup of the day’s news. In addition, Leeann Akers hosts Open Mic, a weekly talk show with newsmakers, artists, educators, healthcare professionals and politicians discussing the issues important to eastern Kentucky.
Spotlighting MSPR’s award-winning news coverage, preliminary results were recently announced by the Associated Press (AP) for the 2019 Kentucky AP Broadcasters Awards. WMKY has earned thirteen nominations in the college and professional divisions. Winners will be announced April 13th.
WMKY has also added Big Band Boulevard for fans of vintage jazz. Hosted by Greg Jenkins, Big Band Boulevard offers the finest swing and big band recordings from the 1930’s through the 1950’s. In addition, Leon Smothers invites listeners to enjoy old-time radio with That Was Radio, a nostalgic overview of the pioneering, early years of radio.
“An important part of our mission is to preserve and promote this region’s cultural heritage with programming that is educational, informative and entertaining,” Hitchcock said. “We have a long history of serving this community, but we need listener support to maintain our operations.”
Financial gifts to Morehead State Public Radio (WMKY) are tax deductible and may be made using a simple and secure form online at www.wmky.org. Listeners may also make a pledge by calling 606-783-2001 during the fundraiser. Listener feedback is also a vital part of this membership drive.
Businesses or individuals wishing to offer a Challenge Pledge for the fundraiser should contact Paul Hitchcock at 606-783-2334 or e-mail at: p.hitchc@moreheadstate.edu
