WYJB – B95.5 – Albany (Albany Broadcasting)
- “CORNIVAL” – Fight Against Hunger with CDPHP and SEFCU
“Cornival” is a corn-themed chefs’ competition that raised money for Hope 7 at SEFCU’s outer parking lot in Albany. The event allowed people to sample delicious creations provided by 13 local area chefs, then vote for their favorite dish. There was a 50/50 raffle, great prizes and lots of fun! All proceeds went directly to Hope 7. Donations of non-perishable food items were also be collected at the event. The mission of Hope 7 in Troy, N.Y. is to provide life essential and enhancing services in a nurturing and non-preferential manner, to promote self-sufficiency, personal growth, and commitment to serving one’s community.
WGNA/WTMM/WQBK – Albany (Townsquare Media)
- St Jude’s Radiothon
WGNA 107.7 FM for 14 years has been a proud supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Each year WGNA executes several local events to engage the Capital Region and raise money for their lifesaving work to end childhood cancer. During the 14th Annual Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon in February of 2019, WGNA raised $202,193 for the hospital over 2 days, which was a new record for the station! The station supports other events for St Jude’s throughout the year.
The River 99.5 (iHeart Media)
- River’s Pay Less for the Dress Campaign
“The River” 99.5 FM hosted the 5th Annual Pay Less for the Dress event sponsored by SEFCU, at Proctors on March 22nd where dresses were sold for just $9.95! The event benefits Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Med, and the Proctors Scholarship Fund, and provides Capital Region residents the opportunity to buy affordable dresses for prom.
99.5 The River initiated the program 5 years ago when a discussion began about the high cost of going to the prom. The station wanted girls in the Capital Region to have a fun prom experience without the worry of a high expense for a dress, so it partnered with Best Cleaners, and encouraged listeners to donate gently used prom, bridesmaid, and homecoming dresses at any Best Cleaners location. Dresses are collected year round and Best Cleaners donates their services to dry clean all dresses, which are sold at the Pay Less for the Dress event. Volunteers from SEFCU, Best Cleaners and Proctors helped staff the event.
In addition, The River Morning Show’s Kevin and Tracy broadcast live from three area high schools this winter, where students donated hundreds of dresses towards the cause, and local dress shops donated brand new dresses for this year’s event!
WNYT-TV Channel 13 – Albany (Hubbard Broadcasting)
- Albany Wine & Dine for the Arts
NewsChannel 13 joined forces with The Albany Wine & Dine for the Arts for the 10th anniversary in January, 2019. NewsChannel 13 has been supporting this event since the very first year. The event is held to provide sustainable funding for the support and preservation of the not-for-profit Arts community in Albany. The spotlight is also placed on the vibrant culinary scene in the Capital Region. The three day event hosts more than 3,500 people who are active in the arts and culinary communities. This festival offers 250 global wine, spirits and New York State Craft Beers, along with 70 innovative chefs’ restaurants. The event surpassed the $1 million mark in total awards at January’s event.
Beneficiaries of this year’s event are the Albany Barn, Capital Repertory Theatre, The Palace Theatre and Park Playhouse, The Albany Center Gallery, Albany Institute of History & Art, The Albany Symphony, Black Dimension in Art, Capitaland Chorus, EBA (dance class), Capital Cinema, and Steamer No. 10.
WTEN-TV Channel 10 – Albany (Nexstar Broadcast Group)
- 50 over 50 Campaign
The 50 over 50 Campaign highlights those in the community who are over the age of 50 and making a difference. Each person highlighted is brought into the News10 studios and interviewed so that they can communicate directly to our viewers their thoughts and beliefs on volunteerism and to share their own stories of giving back to the community. Below are a couple examples of individuals highlighted:
Dr. Bob Paeglow in his 30’s Dr. Bob returned to school to pursue a medical degree from Albany Medical College after returning from a mission trip where he saw severe poverty and profound need. He felt an overwhelming call to return home to the West Hill area of Arbor Hill, to open a doctor’s office and serve the poor and underprivileged in the community where he was raised. He opened Koinonia Primary Care on Clinton Avenue and began serving the community with free medical services and free clothing, and food, and a spiritual hub to anyone who walked in. He worked for years without a salary. Dr. Bob Paeglow practices what he preaches and remains faithful to the call he received two decades ago.
Janet Abrahamson is the founder of the Joy Us Foundation. Janet has dedicated her life to helping cancer patients and survivors. She has been involved as a board member of the American Cancer Society Capital Region Board of Advisors for over a decade. She recently launched the Joy Us non-profit to help improve the lives of cancer patients and survivors by providing opportunities for them to connect with nature and find peace in their surroundings and has accomplished this all while working full time.
John Robinson is President of “Our Ability Inc.” He started “Our Ability” nine years ago to help disabled people find employment. People with disabilities are seventy percent unemployed and John’s company is providing the disabled with opportunities by inspiring individuals to achieve their dreams through education and employment. “Our Ability” empowers employers to understand the valuable employment population of people with disabilities who have proven to lower job turnover rates and boost morale and productivity.
The 50 over 50 Campaign is on WTEN and is underwritten by the Lia Auto Group.
WXXA-TV Channel 23 Channel Albany (Shield Media)
- Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge
The Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge was a new local event in which WXXA along with many other organizations had the privilege to sponsor. This first-time event featured national companies and several local company’s stock that were traded throughout the contest. Each minute of the contest represented one trading day so the pace and action was at a high level. UAlbany’s Student Center hosted the 112 high school students who competed for scholarships and gift cards which were donated by SEFCU. The 2019 Stock Market Challenge grew over 400% to an impressive 487 students representing 20 different schools. Due to the expanded student involvement this year, the event has been moved to UAlbany’s SEFCU Arena where WXXA anchors John Gray and Christina Arangio will emcee the event. SEFCU once again donated scholarships and prizes to the winning teams.
WRGB-TV & WCWN-TV ALBANY (Sinclair Broadcast Group)
- CBS 6 Melodies of Christmas Stage Production
2019 marked the 40th anniversary of the first CBS 6 Melodies of Christmas stage production. Produced and broadcast by WRGB and WCWN, this live holiday-themed entertainment show at the historic Proctors Theater in downtown Schenectady brings the community together to celebrate hope, and the joy of music, while raising much-needed funding for The Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at the Bernard and Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center.
With the generous support of Melodies of Christmas founding partners, Price Chopper/Market32 and Freihofer’s Baking Company, multiple generations of families have enjoyed the seasonal sounds of the Empire State Youth Orchestra and Chorale and marveled as Santa and Mrs. Claus paid a visit each year.
More than 300 local young people performed in the 2018 productions, which also honored current and former Melodies Center child-patients and their families to the stage. Since its inception in 1980, the CBS 6 Melodies of Christmas has raised over $8.4 million dollars in support of The Melodies Center.
WSLP 93.3 FM Lake Placid
- North Country Life Flight
For the past 11 years, on the second Sunday in November, 93.3, WSLP has presented a friendly chicken wing competition called “Wing Wars”. The event is a benefit for North Country Life Flight, an emergency medical helicopter transport service serving most of Northern NY. They never change for the patients they serve!
Each participating restaurant brought 500 of their best wings to the event. People pay $15 at the door for “all you can eat wings”. There is also a silent auction and raffles at the event. 100% of the door proceeds, auction, raffle and pint glass sales are donated to Life Flight. The event is presented by Yuengling who donates event t-shirts to be given away and pint glasses that are custom engraved with the event logo. The “Grand Champion” was chosen by a panel of judges through blind tasting. Participants at the event also voted for their favorite and the winner is awarded with the “Fan Favorite” trophy. The event draws over 400 people.
The first Wing Wars event in 2008 raised $595.00 and has grown to raise almost $8000.00 in a single afternoon! The event is promoted with recorded and live promotional messages on the air as well as through social media platforms. In its 11-year history, Wing Wars has raised over $45,000 for this worthwhile cause and North Country Life Flight has benefited significantly from the public’s heightened awareness of the lifesaving services they offer.