Saint John’s Local 107.3 FM is calling for your support as part of the station’s annual fundraiser.
Scott Nason
Community radio is often underappreciated, yet it plays an essential role in supporting everything from local music and arts to community events and the people who make our neighbourhoods tick. Through grass-roots programming, often written, produced, recorded and hosted all by the same dedicated individual, community radio stations not only provide us with an alternative to the endless streams of commercial-driven radio but also exist solely to support the interests of their listeners much like a regional version of a national broadcaster. And they need our support.
This week, Saint John’s Local 107.3 FM is running its annual Fundrive to support the station’s ongoing efforts to serve the community.
“The annual Local 107.3FM funding drive we host in late October every year is our most important fundraiser of the year,” said Station Manager Brian Cleveland. “For one week, we ask listeners and supporters of non-profit, independent, volunteer-driven, community media to pledge a contribution to improving our resources in Saint John.”
This year’s fundraising got off to a great start, but the station is still a long way from reaching its modest goal.
“We had our strongest start ever, raising nearly $1000 in pre-pledges before the drive had even started,” said Cleveland. “As of Tuesday, October 25, we have reached a milestone 35% of our goal of $5000 and we are more confident than ever that we can hit our goal.”
This year’s fundraiser includes a unique community incentive. Donors who pledge $20 or more are eligible to receive a Local 107.3 FM Friends Card that provides a full year of discounts at many local businesses in the Saint John area including Backstreet Records, Port City Royal, the Heartbreak Boutique and others.
“We’ve always had a lot of support for and from the local business community and they were particularly helpful in setting up our first Friends Cards,” said Cleveland. “This is a new initiative for Local-FM and we couldn’t be happier with the way it has turned out. Local is so important to us that we put it in our name and we know that our listeners support local in all forms as well.”
Donations to Local 107.3 FM’s annual Fundrive can be made through the station’s website by visiting localfm.ca and check out the station’s Annual Halloween Funding Drive Closing Show with performances by Jerry-Faye, Provincial Champs and Right Shitty.
