Serving the public interest is ingrained in a broadcaster’s DNA. It is what we do. Congratulations to the Capital Region radio and television stations for their outstanding public service efforts. At a recent luncheon at Wolferts Roost Country Club, the following stations and community groups received special recognition:
iHeart Media Albany – Leather Stocking Honor Flights Honoring Veterans
For the past two years iHeartMedia in Albany has been a sponsor of the Leatherstocking Honor Flights Program. This program was created to pay tribute to America’s World War II and Korean War Veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington, DC to experience the Memorials in their honor at no cost to them.
Leatherstocking Honor Flight began operations in 2008 and to date has taken over 1,000 WWII Veterans to Washington, DC, the oldest being 100 years old. Leatherstocking Honor Flight covers New York State’s Capital District, all surrounding counties, as well as Vermont and Western Massachusetts
These one day trips are funded entirely from donations and fundraisers from community businesses, organizations, and individual contributions.
To raise awareness and encourage donations, iHeartMedia runs promotional mentions on all 7 stations: 810 & 103-1 News Radio WGY, KISS 102-3, Fox Sports 980, PYX 106, 99.5 The River, Wild Country 99.9, and 98.3 TRY to support this notable cause. iHeartMedia stations also secure local sponsors who run commercials to further support the Leatherstocking Honor Flights.
In addition the stations:
PYX 106 runs a fundraising promotion each Memorial Day and 4th of July Weekend to encourage listeners to make a donation on-line to honor our local Veteran’s and contribute to an upcoming Honor Flight.
810 & 103-1 News Radio WGY broadcasts the Joe Gallagher morning show live from Albany International Airport the day of the flights, which include a ceremony for the Veteran’s and their families.
PYX 106 and WGY host regularly scheduled interviews with the President of the Leatherstocking Honor Flights.
iHeartMedia Senior Vice President John Cooper is a member of the committee for this all volunteer community organization.
Kristen Delaney, Chairman of the New York State Broadcasters Association, and Regional Market Manager for iHeart Media, John Cooper, Senior Vice President for iHeart Media were on hand to accept the award for the station. Mr. Greg Furlong, President of the Leather Stocking Honor Flights and Rhonda Cooper accepted the award for the Leather Stocking Honor Flights. Most importantly, Mr. Ken Baily, a decorated Veteran of WWII attended. In a heartfelt address, he reminded us why we are blessed to live in this wonderful country.
WYJB (Albany Broadcasting) – “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” to Benefit Samaritan Hospital’s Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Assistance Program
For the past four years we have participated in the “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” community march. We look forward each year to assisting and “WEARING HIGH HEELS”- Over $47,000 was raised! April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. B-95.5’s Bill Fox and Chad O’Hara kicked off the 8th Annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®” – a community march for Samaritan Hospital’s Sexual Assault & Crime Victims Assistance Program.
Hundreds stepped up at Riverfront Park in Troy on Saturday, April 25th to raise awareness of sexual violence. Men are challenged to walk a mile in women’s high heeled shoes to show support for victims of sexual violence and to benefit the preventive and supportive services provided. Chad Ohara, WYJB Program Director/Music Director/Aft. Host and Lindsey Crusan, Dir. Sexual Assault & Crime Victims Assistance Program at Sumaritan Hospital were on hand to accept the awards.
WDNB – Thunder 102 – Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless
On Saturday, May 2, 2015 ThunderBash 10 was held at Monticello Casino and Raceway. The free concert brought to Sullivan County by radio station Thunder 102 featured performances by Country Music Stars, Eric Paslay, Emily Kinney of The Walking Dead fame, The Shots & The Bergen County Firefighters Pipe Band, Somerville, David Adam Byrnes, Cooper Boone and Iron Cowboy.
Concertgoers were asked to bring a non-perishable food item to the concert and drop it at the Suburban Propane truck parked out front. Donations were to benefit area food pantries and the donations filled the bed of the truck.
Monday morning Thunder 102 and Suburban Propane dropped off the donations at the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless. Joining them were Roberta Lockwood from the Sullivan County Visitors Association and Anthony Bruno of Monticello Casino and Raceway, presenting sponsors of ThunderBash 10.
Donations filling the tables were then distributed from the Federation of the Homeless. Looking at the amount of food donated, Paul Ciliberto, General Manager/Market Manager of Thunder 102 stated, “It’s always amazing to see how our ThunderHeads come through! They never cease to amaze us!”
This was the tenth ThunderBash concert presented by Thunder 102. Jennifer Desrochers and Dawn Cioriari from Thunder 102 attended the luncheon and accepted the award for the station.
WNYT – STEM -13 Science Technology Engineering and Math
The economy of the Capital Region depends on technology. “Tech Valley” has come to define our region. It is vitally important that the next generation have the technical and scientific skills to become successful.
WNYT News Channels STEM 13 is a program designed to highlight the importance of those disciplines, science, technology, engineering and math, on the future and well being of our communities. It also helps provide a path for our youth, especially young women for a future in these areas.
The program increases awareness of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) initiatives in the Capital Region. Through the station’s efforts in news, public affairs and sales, across all content platforms, our goals are to:
Demonstrate to our audience the practical applications and benefits of STEM in their lives.
Report on the educational and employment opportunities available in STEM fields for girls and boys of all ages.
Highlight the many important STEM initiatives underway in the Capital Region’s schools and businesses.
Through our STEM13 efforts, we seek to increase educator creativity, parental involvement and employer engagement. We will inform our audience of all ages about the importance of science, technology, engineering and math for their future and for the long term economic health of the Capital Region. Steve Baboulis, VP and General Manager of WNYT accepted the award for the station.
WJKE – The Jockey (Empire Broadcasting) – Supporting the Arts in the Capital Region
The mission of the Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival is to provide sustainable funding to support & preserve the not-for-profit arts community in Albany, NY. Each year deserving not-for-profit arts organizations are selected to become beneficiaries of the net proceeds of the Festival. In our first four years the Festival donated over $406,001 to support the Arts in Albany!
Empire Broadcasting has been a proud sponsor of the event. The station brought in chefs from all around the Capital Region and created 60 second vignette’s to play on all 5 Empire Broadcasting stations. Additionally, Empire Broadcasting had LIVE reads across all the stations along with Facebook and website exposure. Empire Broadcasting donated $25,000 in on air and online promotions.
WTEN & WXXA-TV – Coats for Kids Campaign
The NEWS10 ABC “Coats For Kids” program helps local children stay warm in the winter. Many parents in our area cannot afford to buy their child a warm winter coat. The station asks viewers to help in collecting gently used coats that will be used to keep kids and teens. The station encouraged people that were clearing out old or new winter coats to donate. The drive focused on children’s sizes, because this is ‘Coats for Kids.’ NEWS10ABC got a head start on this campaign by donating some coats. MVP Health Care donated coats as well and will be matching with 500 new coats.
Gently used coats are available for pick up at participating distribution centers throughout the Capital Region. NEWS10 ABC is dedicated to helping our community and together we can make a real difference for thousands of kids. Laura Lapinski was on hand to accept the award from the station.
WHAZ/WMYY/WBAR – Gestalt Equine Therapy – Retire Race Horses
Paul Lotters, owner of the ALIVE Radio Network, a horse person owning multiple horses and involved with Gestalt Equine Therapy. The program assists giving horses a second career after being a racehorse and helps people in need in various stages of their life through equine assisted therapy.
Over the five stations of the ALIVE Radio Network, this unique program offers information and interviews of famous horse people about their lives around horses. The program retrains ex-racehorses how not to race but how to simply be a horse for trail riding, dressage, shows, etc. Some of these horses are further trained to help people in need, through Gestalt Equine Therapy, to regain trust, to have a better focus on things and to form a new, positive perspective on life. Paul says: “It is miraculous what a horse can do in the hands of a trained counselor. It truly has to be seen to believe, the curing power that a horse possesses.
Through the radio program and through radio announcements we aim to bring much needed attention to the retired racehorse off the track, the neglected, abused, unwanted horse and to that horse that simply needs that special touch.”