Serving the public interest is ingrained in a broadcaster’s DNA. It is what we do. Congratulations to the New York City radio and television stations for their outstanding public service efforts. The following stations and community groups received special recognition at a recent luncheon at the Waldorf Astoria:
Univision Local Media – WXTV-TV/WFUT-TV and WADO/WXNY/WQBU Radio – Campaign to Provide Free Immigration Information
In February, Univision Local Media in New York executed a week-long campaign that provided free information and resources about immigration and the executive order. All of the Univision stations participated and provided support for a number of events. The station hosted and manned a three day phone bank for our listeners and viewers that had questions. They hosted a town hall meeting with a panel discussion on immigration issues and describing the free resources that are available. The town hall was attended by more than 500 people. Univision news talent moderated the town hall event.
The stations produced and broadcast “30 second” promotional announcements to promote the phone bank and the town hall meeting. The stations also provided and distributed an immigration guide. The stations distributed more than 60,000 copies of the guide.
Univision partnered with several non-profit organization including NALEO and Casita Maria. The stations also coordinated efforts with El Diario Newspapers. In all the campaign assisted close to 10,000 people. Ms. Aida Rosario accepted the award for the Univision Stations.
WNBC-TV & Telemundo 47 – Clear the Shelters Campaign
On Saturday, August 15th, NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47 teamed up more than 30 animal shelters in the Tri-State area on a first-of-its-kind pet adoption initiative – Clear the Shelters/Desocupar Los Albergues.
The Clear the Shelters/Desocupar Los Albergues effort was part of a national initiative spearheaded by the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations where local television stations partnered with animal shelters across the country to find new homes for homeless pets.
Participating shelters waived adoptions fees. As a result of the stations efforts more than one thousand animals were adopted on one day. Ofelia Castiblanco accepted the award for WNBC. Diane Gould, Director Marketing and Special Events, Mayor’s Alliance for New York City Animals was also in attendance.
WVIP/WVOX Radio Whitney Radio – The New Rochelle Police Foundation – A Unique Public Service Partnership
As one of the last locally-owned and locally-operated independent community stations in the New York region, WVOX has amassed an enviable public service record over the years. The Wall Street Journal called the Westchester station “the quintessential community station in America.” Operated for more than 50 years by the O’Shaughnessy family, owners of parent company Whitney Media, WVOX has championed and led many hundreds of local public service initiatives over the decades. Prominent among them is the stations enduring and lasting support for the New Rochelle Police Foundation.
William O’Shaughnessy, WVOX’s editorial director, and station president David O’Shaughnessy, were among the founders and to this day serve as directors of the Foundation which supports the essential work of the New Rochelle Police Department with critical funds for life-saving gear not included in a hard-pressed municipal budget … including portable defibrillators, radios, bullet-proof vests, Segway personal transporters, and even a state-of-the-art patrol car and a marine patrol boat which operates along the City’s nine-mile waterfront. Also a bomb-sniffing German shepherd named Max and the latest emergency equipment for teenage drug overdoses, as well as scholarships for the sons and daughters of police officers.
WVOX, each September, hosts a major fund-raising event for 300 civic leaders at the American Yacht Club in support of the Foundation’s annual dinner. As Bill O’Shaughnessy said at this year’s event: “WVOX supports the Police Foundation because before you can have a just society, a compassionate or generous society or even an enlightened society … you have to first have a safe and secure environment for all these things to exist and flourish.” The Foundation has raised over $1 million. Mr. William O’Shaughnessy accepted the award for the station.
WCBS 2 and WLNY 10/55 – Alliance for Lupus Research
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect the joints and almost every major organ in the body. There are as many as 1.5 million people in the United States living with the disease. The Alliance for Lupus Research, a national voluntary health organization, hosts the walk to raise money to fund new and innovative research programs that will lead to new treatments for the disease and ultimately a cure. Since its founding, ALR has committed almost $100 million to lupus research, more than any other non-governmental agency in the world.
WCBS-TV and WLNY-TV in New York joined the fight against Lupus by serving as the official media partner during the Alliance for Lupus Research’s New York City Walk with Us to Cure Lupus. Sports anchor and reporter Steve Overmyer served as an emcee for the event, which took place at Pier 86. Both stations promoted the ALR’s walk through PSAs, countdown spots, in studio interviews, on-air mentions during newscasts and weathercasts. Also, cbsnewyork.com featured a dedicated event page for the walk. Ms. Rachael Ferguson accepted the award for WCBS-2. Mr. Jonathan Marks and Ms. Courtney Love accepted the award for the Alliance for Lupus Research.
WFUV – Strike a Chord Campaign – Children Making a Difference
WFUV’s Strike a Chord campaign shined a spotlight on kids who care: highlighting those children making a difference in their communities through volunteer efforts, the campaign features a series of PSAs, as well as a week-long news series reported and produced by WFUV reporter Rob Palazzolo, running from 6/22-26.
The series addressed multiple topics, including the lack of female representation in the sciences, the desire to beautify the Bronx, food insecurity throughout Long Island, encouraging and nurturing relationships between children with developmental disabilities and those without, and brightening the challenged lives of children facing long-term stays in hospitals.
The campaign culminated with a special Strike a Chord panel discussion at 7:30 on Saturday morning June 27th, done in conjunction with BronxNet Television, and included guests such as 8 year old Maeve Ryan who is involved with a project called Operation Christmas Child, 15 year old Sean Martin, the founder of Kids Adopt a Shelter, and Naomi Hirabayashi with DoSomething.org
“From working in soup kitchens to collecting school supplies for underprivileged kids, young people all over our region are acting to help their communities,” says George Bodarky, WFUV’s News Director. “This campaign has been so very inspiring to put together. The efforts of the kids we had the opportunity to talk with are truly selfless.” Ms Robin Shannon and Ms. Mary Boland accepted the award for WFUV.
FOX 5 – Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Inaugural Stair Climb At One World Trade Center
FOX 5 was proud to serve as the Media Sponsor of the Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation’s first ever World Trade Center Stair Climb!
FOX 5 was honored to provide support for this incredible inaugural event that paid tribute to FDNY Captain Billy Burke of Engine 21 who lost his life on September 11th as he tried to rescue a quadriplegic in a wheelchair while ordering the rest of his company to evacuate.
FOX 5 ran a full public service announcements in the weeks leading up to the event
FOX 5 provided news coverage and in-studio interviews about the event
FOX 5 had on-site presence at the event with FOX 5 Meteorologist and Feature Reporter Audrey Puente participating in the stair climb
FOX 5 News produced several human interest profile packages which ran in the weeks leading up to the event
FOX 5 featured in-studio guests promoting the event on the morning show Good Day New York
FOX 5 featured in-studio guests promoting the event on the public affairs program Good Day Street Talk
FOX 5 posted all of the media content on its website
The campaign was successful in raising awareness about the efforts of the Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation and our first responders and military who make extraordinary sacrifices in the line of duty! Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and John Hodge Chief Operating Officer of the Steven Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation accepted the award. Joe Silvestri accepted the award for Fox 5.
WMCA AM 570 – Donor Campaigns including – The Bowery Mission
Each month, WMCA AM 570 provides support for a worthy cause with our Donor Campaigns. In this past year alone we’ve sent children to school with our School Scholarship Program, provided food for starving children around the world with Food for Orphans, Feed the Children, and Food for the Poor, and provided safety and hope through organizations like Bible League and Christian Solidarity International. This past month we partnered with the Bowery Mission to provide meals for thousands of homeless and hungry men, women and children in our own community. Over the span of two weeks we not only met our goal, but exceed it by 20%, raising enough funds to provide meals for over 8,000 people!
WNYM AM 970 – Food for the Poor, Project Hope
Throughout the year, WNYM AM970 The Answer pairs with different organizations to help make a difference in the world and in our local community. This past year we have fed thousands of children in Guatemala and Haiti through our partnership with Food For The Poor. When we worked with PROJECT HOPE, we were able to send help and medical supplies to impoverished areas affected by war. And coming up this December, we will once again be working with Angel Tree, to help send Christmas Presents to thousands of children whose parents are in jail. Laura Sheaffer and Grace Santulli accepted the award on behalf of Salem Media.
Cumulus – Working with Children’s Hospital, Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, NY City Public Schools and Other Projects
Cumulus NY (77 WABC, Radio 103.9, NASH FM 94.7 and 95.5 WPLJ) has a strong tradition of serving our listeners who reside in our community of license. A snapshot of some of the cluster’s public service initiatives over the past year includes:
Holiday Broadcast For The Kids / Fundraiser for Children’s Specialized Hospital (NASH FM 94.7 and 95.5 PLJ). Respective morning shows broadcast live from the hospital across two days.
95.5 PLJ’s Blowout Breast Cancer at Angelo David Salon to benefit the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation. Daylong October event.
My School Has Rhythm Not Violence Competition with NYC Public Schools and NYPD’s School Safety Division (Radio 103.9). NYC high school students compete in a rap music writing and performance contest, as part of an innovative program promoting non-violence.
Radio 103.9 partnered with the Dare2B Foundation to distribute school supplies and backpacks to homeless children in New York City
95.5 PLJ Apple A Day program gave a pediatric cancer patient their own iPad weekdays in May
Special programming such as the January simulcast on 77 WABC and Radio 103.9. Hosts Ron Kuby, Curtis Sliwa, DL Hughley, and guest Kirstin Jon Foy of the National Action Network had a substantive hour-long conversation about race relations and community / police relations in New York City and across the country.
Annual 77 WABC Imus Golf Outing raised funds for the Imus Ranch Foundation / Tackle Kids Cancer Campaign.
WABC TV – Town Meetings NY Hall of Science and Bronx Community College
WABC-TV re-branded our town hall meetings under the name “ABC 7 Listens” and held two town halls meetings in partnership with two local organizations: NY Hall of Science in Queens and Bronx Community College.
The New York Hall of Science meeting kicked off with a live weather remote with eyewitness news meteorologist Goldberg reporting the weather live and talking with science curators and children on-site at the hall about advances in science. These meetings are of great public service to the community and an opportunity to connect with community leaders, our viewers and to partner with local institutions.
Before the end of the year, WABC-TV expects to partner with NYC services to host a town hall meeting to encourage NYC youth to let their voices be heard by joining NYC youth leadership council, where they will work with adult leaders in the areas of policy, practices and service to impact individuals and communities.
The event will also include a panel discussion with both youth and adult leaders and moderated by eyewitness news talent. Saundra Thomas and Camille Edwards, News Director for WABC-TV accepted the award for the station
Emmis Communications: Hot 97- Back to School Backpack & Haircut Program – Hip Hop Has a Heart Foundation – New York Cares Coat Drive
Back To School! Every September, HOT 97 has your back to school needs covered with everything you need! HOT 97 hosts events at various locations where kids can come and receive a book bag full of back to school swag and supplies to help make sure their first day of school is a success.
Each year, HOT 97 has your kids looking their best for back to school through our Kutz For Kidz program. Children ages 13 and under are invited to hit up their local barbershop or salon listed on HOT 97’s webpage for the chance to win a free hair cut or make over, school supplies, clothes and more!
Lift ‘Em Up is hosted by HOT 97’s Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation. Lift ‘Em Up is a holiday feast and night of inspiration. Each year, the Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation hosts a holiday meal to feed less fortunate families in the Tri-State area. Participants will be able to experience dining at its finest, with the gourmet food from celebrity servers, entertainment, and a Holiday Market with pre-packaged food baskets to be taken home.
The New York Cares Coat Drive is one of New York City’s largest and most cherished philanthropic traditions, providing local residents a way to meaningfully support their community during the holiday season. Homeless men, women, children and infants, the working poor and at-risk senior citizens from partnering nonprofit agencies and schools all get coats. Robert Lee accepted the award for the station.