Syracuse area stations were recognized recently for their public service efforts at the “Serving New York” Awards luncheon at the Genesee Grande Hotel. Congressman Dan Maffei, who was called away to Washington to vote, was represented by his District Director Ms. Corey Driscoll.
Syracuse Area Award Recipients
WSYR/WWHT/WBBS/WYYY/WHEN
WFRG
WSTM/WSTQ/WTVH
WLLW
WFIZ
WKTV-TV
WSYR- TV
WSYT-TV
WXTL
WUTR-TV
WSYR/WWHT/WBBS/WYYY/WHEN (Clear Channel Communications and Entertainment) – Heroes Under 30 Campaign
Clear Channel Communications in Syracuse is a primary sponsor, organizer, and promoter of the annual CNY Veterans Parade and Expo held each November. Parade organizers asked Clear Channel Syracuse to encourage younger military personal, veterans, and their families to participate in the parade. over half of returning veterans today are under age 34. Clear Channel Syracuse brainstormed with an on-staff veteran, Eric Sleeper, to create an innovative solution to the challenge: The Heroes Under 30 Campaign…
The campaign involves the public nominating local military heroes for recognition at the CNY Veterans Parade and Expo. Clear Channel Syracuse ran a series of radio spots across all five stations asking the community to nominate a hero. The nominations came in throughout August, and the CNY Veterans Parade Board and local military personnel selected the heroes to be recognized. Their photos and details will be featured at each of the five Clear Channel Syracuse radio station websites as well.
The Heroes Under 30 campaign recognizes young heroes while also reminding listeners to take an inclusionary approach to returning veterans who are starting or raising a family, seeking a career, and looking to establish their lives after service. This coincides perfectly with the Clear Channel Syracuse Show Your Stripes campaign that features local businesses specifically advertising open jobs to veterans
WFRG (Townsquare Media of Utica/Rome) – Santa for Seniors
For the past 10 years Townsquare Media has participated in “Santa for Seniors” – a community event to give back to the local elderly population who may get overlooked during the holidays. Townsquare receives a wish list for each senior from the Office of Aging. Every hour the station reads their name, personal history and senior’s holiday wish. Listeners call in to be a volunteer Santa and buy them items on their list. Gifts are dropped off at the station and then delivered to hundreds of seniors throughout the area. More than 300 seniors participate yearly. Local businesses and organizations, such as the Bank of America and the Girl Scouts, step up to sponsor 30 seniors at a time. This has become a favorite event for Town Square Media and the community.
WSTM-TV/ WSTQ-TV/WTVH-TV (Barrington Broadcasting) – American Red Cross Flood Relief
Reporting the facts is only one function of a news organization. It’s how that organization reacts when the community and people it serves are in need of assistance that truly defines a news team.
In late June historic flooding hit fifteen New York counties. Madison, Oneida and Herkimer Counties in Central New York were some of the hardest hit areas. Rapidly rising flood waters forced many people from their homes and businesses. Dozens of residents in the city of Oneida were not allowed back into the neighborhoods for several days and when finally allowed to see the damage many found their belongings destroyed and their homes inhabitable.
In the days following the flooding CNY Central covered the aftermath, from the volunteer efforts of organizations like the American Red Cross to personal stories of the victims and the friends and families trying to help them rebuild.
Recognizing the need to come to the aid of those impacted the stations of CNY Central partnered with the CNY chapter of the American Red Cross to hold an all day fundraising effort. Using the resources of WSTM, WTVH and WSTQ and its online and social media platforms CNY Central solicited donations starting at 5am and continued throughout the day. Many CNY Central staffers volunteered their own time to keep the phones manned in the absence of Red Cross volunteers who were in the field providing aid to victims. Thanks to CNY Central’s efforts and the generosity of its viewers over $40,000 was donated through phone and online donations.
That wasn’t the first time Central New Yorkers stepped up to the plate to help those in need in 2013. In May CNY Central’s viewers answered the call to help those impacted by the deadly tornadoes that struck Oklahoma in May. CNY Central decided to do its part in helping the victims by partnering with the American Red Cross for a day-long donation drive. Using three of its broadcast channels, WSTM, WSTQ and WTVH, along with its website and social media platforms, CNY Central was able to raise more than $40,000 for the Red Cross’ disaster relief fund. Along with the fundraising the news department also aired several stories focusing on other ways viewers who didn’t want to donate money could help in the relief effort.
WLLW (Finger Lakes Broadcasting) – Fundraiser for Baby Blake
Baby Blake was born with a major heart defect, and after a long wait received a heart transplant. However, there were numerous complications and other health issues that left Baby Blake in need of long-term care. This put a tremendous strain on the family
WLLW teamed up with a local bottle a can redemption center to host a benefit can drive. The drive was promoted on air and through the stations Facebook page. Listeners were encouraged to bring empty bottles with 100 percent of the can donations being passed on to Baby Blake’s Family. In just two hours over $500 dollars was raised to help the family. Listeners also stopped by to make direct donations of cash to support the family.
WFIZ (Finger Lakes Broadcasting) – Build Your Backpack
When the school year approaches, Z98.5 helps parents with its “Build Your Own Backpack” promotion. Through local business donations and sponsorships the station fills backpacks with school supplies such as notebooks pencils pens as well as coupons to help kids get ready for school. The station sets up live remotes at sponsored locations and gives out numerous backpacks. The station was able to help 300 students with backpacks for both Catholic Charities as well as the Southside Community Center to help low income families in the community.
WKTV-TV (Smith Media, LLC) – United Way Flood 2013 Disaster Recovery Telethon
News Channel 2, along with Roser Communications and the United Way of the Mohawk Valley conducted a Disaster Recovery Telethon in July to aid Flood Victims of the 2013 floods. In all, the telethon raised $187,528 with all the proceeds going to the benefit of those residents living in Herkimer and Oneida counties, who were displaced and whose home and businesses were heavily damaged. The cross platform fundraising effort began at 5 am on WKTV and ran on multiple platforms concluding with a live simulcast between 7-8 pm.
WSYR- TV (Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.) – Extraordinary Students Campaign
Hardworking high school students around Central New York are getting unprecedented acknowledgement thanks to on-air and online project through, WSYR-TV, spearheaded by anchor Carrie Lazarus
The station hosted the “Class of 2013” annual roundtable discussion with more than a dozen high school valedictorians. The project included a prime time special, on air news coverage and an on line component. The station developed a series of prime time specials entitled “Extraordinary People and Places in Central New York. The programs focused on high school students with extraordinary talent in the arts. WSYR also established the Carrie Lazarus fund for Extraordinary Talent, through the Central New York community foundation to assist young artists who need help reaching their dreams.
WSYT-TV (Sinclair Broadcast Group) – Aids Walk/Run
Fox 68 and My 43 have supported the AIDS Walk run at the Beaver Lake Nature center for 20 years. The event includes a 10k run and 5k walk through the scenic trails of Beaver Lake Nature Center. Each year the station has worked with AIDS Community Resources to help grow the event. All money raised from the race stays in Central New York. In addition to promotional announcements, the station goes to Beaver Lake nature Center with its booth to show its support. It hands out proves and cheers on the runners.
WXTL (Cumulus Media) – A Call for Volunteer Firefighters
During the first two weeks of every month, 95X and 105.9 help recruit volunteer firefighters and show support for Central New York Fire Departments. On the second Saturday of every month volunteers from the station drive potential fire department volunteers to local fire departments. The station’s support includes live mentions 12 times a week, 30 pre-recorded mentions per week, four live call ins, and featured articles and banners on our websites. The program has been highly successful in recruiting volunteers for this important work.
WUTR- TV (Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.) – Flood Relief for Central NY Flood Victims
WUTR Eyewitness News is teamed up with Price Chopper and the Salvation Army for a donation drive, Monday July 8th from noon until 8 at the north Utica Price Chopper. Volunteers and Eyewitness News staff members manned a booth to collect items for those affected by the recent flood.
There are several specific items desperately needed: Canned food, pre-boiled rice, pasta, individually wrapped snacks, fresh fruit, bleach diapers, rubber gloves and heavy duty work gloves. The program was a great success.