WEMU 89.1 FM has long had a loyal following from local
and regional listeners. Starting Oct. 13, those listeners
can once again show their appreciation for the public jazz
station.
The station's fall, on-air pledge drive begins that day
and runs through Oct. 21. The fall fundraiser, the station's
25th, will run from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day,
except for the final day, which will conclude at 4 p.m.
The goal is to raise $121,500 for the on-air portion of
WEMU's fall pledge drive.
 |
PLACE YOUR PLEDGE: WEMU 89.1
FM starts
its fall, on-air fundraiser
Friday, Oct. 13. This
year's on-air
goal is to raise $121,500. |
Money raised goes toward the station's annual operating
expenses.
"We always like to emphasize contributions from listeners
and corporations account for half of our budget," said
Molly Motherwell, manager marketing/development director
for WEMU. "These are operating costs. This isn't an endowment.
This is how we operate."
Motherwell stressed the station is grateful for any pledge
donation, no matter how great or small.
Last year, the fall, on-air campaign raised approximately
$131,000.
"There is no minimum pledge level amount," Motherwell
said. "We want it (fundraiser) to be all-inclusive. We
want the listener to make the decision of how much to give."
 |
ALL THAT JAZZ: Donors who
pledge a minimum
of $150
between now and midnight Oct.
12 will be
entered into a
drawing for a trip for two to the
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage
Festival next spring. |
The other portion of WEMU's fundraiser is a mail campaign.
The goal for the mail campaign is to raise $110,500. To
this point, 30 percent of that mail campaign total has
been reached, Motherwell said.
To get the on-air campaign off to a fast start, WEMU is
offering a special incentive until midnight Oct. 12. For
those who pledge a minimum of $150, their name will be
entered into a drawing for a trip for two to the New Orleans
Jazz and Heritage Festival next spring.
"We want to get something in the pot ahead of time," Motherwell
said.
Incentives, or pledge gifts, start when donations are
at least $60. Incentives include everything from a WEMU
ceramic mug to a book to clothing to music CDs.
CDs include "Why Am I Treated So Bad?" from Cannonball
Adderly; "Hoo Doo Man Blues" by Junior Wells; and "Listen
Here!" from Eddie Palmieri. The boxed set gift is John
Coltrane's "Fearless Leader," a six-CD compilation.
During the pledge drive, celebrity guests are expected
to stop by. These will include Mr. B, the "Boogie Woogie
Man," 7-9 a.m., Oct. 13; and Rick Roe, 7-11 p.m., Oct.
14.
Volunteers have long been a key to successful campaigns
and this year is no exception. Longtime volunteers will
receive first preference of shifts, but many shifts (minimum
of two hours), particularly those in the days toward
the end of the campaign, are available, Motherwell said.
As an incentive, area restaurants will cater in plenty
of food and beverages for volunteers. To volunteer, call
487-2229.
"We like to remind student groups they can receive community
service points for doing this and gain exposure to radio," Motherwell
said, mentioning students from the Honors College and Beta
Alpha Psi, the student accounting fraternity.
A "Fundraiser Finale" party is scheduled Nov. 16 in the
new student center ballroom. The party will honor
donors who contributed a minimum of $150. The event will
include live jazz, hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and a pasta
bar. John Burnett, a reporter who covered 911 and Hurricane
Katrina for NPR, will be the event guest.
