89.1, WEMU, Eastern Michigan University's public radio
station, exceeded its on-air pledge drive goal of $135,000
by nearly $4,000.
The pledge drive began Oct. 12 and ended at 6 p.m. Oct.
20, on 89.1 Jazz with Jessica Webster.
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PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT: Volunteers for this
year's
on-air fall pledge drive for 89.1 WEMU display
the
tally board early on. The pledge drive raised
$135,000, surpassing the goal by nearly $4,000.
Pledge drive volunteers include (front, from left)
EMU
staffers Judy Alexander and Molly Weir and
(back,
from left) Mr. B, a boogie woogie piano
player who
played live on-air; Ken Fischer, president
of the
University Musical Society at the University
of
Michigan; Bil Fennel, an EMU emeritus faculty
member;
and volunteers Mike Allemang and Mike
Deren.
|
"This was a tough drive for us," said Mary Motherwell,
WEMU's marketing and development director. "Just before
the drive, we learned that Linda Yohn, our music director
and flagship music host, was diagnosed with colon cancer
and would not be available for the drive. That was a huge
loss, not just in terms of what Linda raises on her program,
but on others as well. When she's not pitching her own
program, she's helping out on others. Linda is so passionate
— and that passion comes through on the air — that
to have that spirit and fire missing is a huge loss. Wendy
Wright, who is filling in while Linda is out, did an outstanding
job of raising funds in the morning."
Yohn underwent successful surgery for her cancer Oct.
5 and is expected back on the air Nov. 26.
In addition to the loss of Yohn, WEMU's weeknight jazz
program has been covered by a patchwork of guest hosts
since longtime host, Michael G. Nastos, retired at the
end of July. A successor will be named late this year.
"In essence, we are doing four different programs Tuesday
through Friday," said Motherwell. "Even though each brings
a fresh perspective to the program, the lack of a consistent
voice can hurt during pledge time. Fortunately, though,
each host came through magnificently this time."
Morning Edition, with local host, David Fair, led all
programs, raising just under $34,000. 89.1 Jazz, with Michael
Jewett, led music program fundraising with almost $14,000
raised, and The Sunday Best, hosted by Dr. Arwulf Arwulf,
had the single best music program, raising more than $7,000
between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Oct. 14.
"David Fair, Michael Jewett and Arwulf were amazing during
this drive," said Motherwell. "They volunteered
to absorb a combined $11,000 in additional goals into their
programs because of uncertainty elsewhere and, for the
most part, they hit them. It was incredible."
WEMU also conducts a mail campaign which, to date, has
raised more than $40,000 towards a goal of $120,000. The
combined fall fundraising goal is $255,000. The station
plans two more mailings before the end of the campaign.
WEMU will celebrate its successful fall fundraising with
its 15th Annual Fundraiser Finale party Tuesday, Dec.
11, 5 to 8 p.m. at the Washtenaw Country Club. Open to
all contributors who gave $150 or more to the fall campaign,
the event features Dave Isay, founder and producer of public
radio's Story Corps project; music from local saxophonist
Vincent York and his band; heavy hors d'oeuvres and a
cash bar. For details, visit wemu.org.
WEMU is a listener-supported NPR and PRI affiliate with
a format of jazz, local news, and blues in addition to
NPR/PRI news, information, and cultural programming. The
station broadcasts to an eight-county area that includes
all or part of Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland, Livingston, Jackson,
Lenawee, Monroe, and Lucas (OH), Web casts live, 24 hours
a day at wemu.org, and broadcasts WEMU2, an eclectic mix
of folk, roots, blues and Americana on high definition
radio.
