WASHINGTON'S BROADCASTERSSERVING EVERY LOCAL COMMUNITY
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To make sure those struggling with alcohol addiction know where they can get help, KZTA-FM, KZML-FM, KMMG-FM, KZTB-FM and KDYM-AM in Yakima, Wash., made a group-wide commitment to support their local Alcoholics Anonymous group on the air. The stations produce a new public service announcement for the AA group on a monthly basis. Since the beginning of the on-air campaign in 2007, the group has grown from working out of the basement of a small house to a community center, where it holds sober events and other activities. "They’re so happy with the results they come by the station two or three times a month just say thanks and to let us know they got five new people the previous week because they heard about it on our stations," said General Manager Keith Teske.
Animal-loving morning show hosts Dave Ettl and Lance Tormey of KIT-AM in Yakima, Wash., started a campaign to get pet oxygen masks for every fire department in Yakima County. Pets, like people, can suffer from smoke inhalation, and in such cases, pet oxygen masks can be life-saving. Using on-air announcements featuring Yakima Pet Rescue, which Tormey founded, enough money was raised to place pet oxygen masks on fire trucks up and down the Yakima Valley. "It really works," said Ettl. "Just last week we had a news story about a dog that was saved by use of one of these masks, and we were all high-fiving in the studio because it was one of the masks that was purchased with money we raised." Tormey has been honored with a Red Cross Real Hero Award for his work on behalf of pets.
In the wake of a tragic shooting that took the life of police officer Timothy Brenton, talk show duo Ron Upshaw and Don O’Neill of KIRO-FM in Seattle, Wash., planned “Arms Around Our Officers,” a community event to raise funds for the fallen officer’s family and honor the sacrifices police make to protect their community. During the four-hour live broadcast from the base of the Space Needle, cards and messages from school children and neighbors poured in along with donations of more than $19,000 for the Brenton Family Assistance Fund. Upshaw and O’Neill were awarded the Citizen Appreciation Award by the Seattle Police Officers Guild for their support following Brenton’s death and for their extensive on-air coverage of the story, which helped locate the officer’s alleged killer. Later in the year, when another tragedy struck and four police officers lost their lives in the line of duty, the station planed a second “Arms Around Our Officers” event, which raised more than $48,000 for the families.
With the intention of building a stronger community, KRKO-AM in Everett, Wash., has developed the Northsound Fund to assist local nonprofit groups in a meaningful way. The annual grant provides $100,000 in airtime, divided equally among 10 local non-profit organizations. The airtime is focused "on the organization itself: What they do, why they do it and how they are involved in the community," said General Manager Andy Skotdal. "It’s not about a fundraising plea. Fundraising gets tuned out by the listeners after a while. Our goal is to focus on the great work of these organizations." In addition to the Northsound Fund, free airtime is given to charities to publicize specific events. At the end of 10 years, the Northsound Fund will have dedicated $1 million in airtime to area non-profit groups.
When a devastating windstorm battered the state, KING-TV in Seattle, Wash., was able to stay on the air, providing up-to-the-minute weather information, safety tips and emergency contact information for all its viewers. The windstorm was the state’s worst in 13 years, affecting 19 counties and causing tens of millions of dollars in damage to homes, parks, roads and businesses. Throughout the crisis, KING provided continuous coverage both on television and online. The station provided video of the damage and acted as an informational clearinghouse on where to seek relief, how to report damage and where to turn for aid. "When reporters and photographers are working in horrible winds with frigid temperatures, they know that what they’re doing is making a difference," said Pat Costello, vice president of news for KING.
With frequent earthquakes occurring in the Puget Sound area, KKMO-AM in Tacoma, Wash., a Spanish-language station, wanted to make sure people were prepared. The station partnered with the Red Cross to compile and distribute more than 300 earthquake survival kits to people in the Hispanic community. The Red Cross had some of the kit elements available, and the station worked with its contacts to secure the donation of the additional items needed. The kit included necessities for a family of four to get through several days in the event of a natural disaster. During the two-month campaign, the station aired broadcasts from several remotes related to the distribution of kits, as well as public service announcements and discussion segments about earthquake awareness and preparedness.
When flooding devastated a large area in the southwest portion of the state in December 2007, KOMO-TV in Seattle, Wash., quickly organized an emergency drive. The one-day event, for which the station partnered with the Salvation Army, lasted 17 hours and brought in $180,000 in relief supplies and monetary support. During the drive, the station broadcast live from the collection site. All of its news anchors were there, unloading cars that pulled up with donations. One woman drove up with animal feed and new blankets. She said her husband had died earlier that year, and she could think of no better way to spend the money that would have purchased his birthday and Christmas present than to help those now in need. It is a moment that has stayed in the minds and hearts of KOMO staff. A week after the emergency drive, the station broadcast a 30-minute news special about the flooding. At the end of the program, KOMO shared with its viewers that there was still a great need for donations and directed them on how to give. The news special raised an additional $46,000.
Providing up-to-the-minute election results on the hotly contested race for governor, among other notable federal and local races, KREM-TV in Spokane, Wash., was among one of the 15 news-producing Belo stations that extensively covered the election, hosted debates and provided free air time to candidates. In total, Belo stations averaged 115 election stories per week and dedicated over 210 hours of news time to election coverage. Additionally, stations donated over 14 hours of airtime to 140 candidates campaigning for various political offices.
KQMV-FM in Bellevue, Wash., is a year-round supporter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Involved in several events to raise breast cancer awareness each year, the station is especially proud of organizing a mobile mammogram service to provide free screenings to underserved women. The mammogram vehicle, which tours for 10 days during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, covers the entire listening area, from Everett to Tacoma. Dates and locations for the mobile mammogram program are broadcast well in advance, and live broadcasts are aired from each of the mobile mammogram stops. Women are asked to visit the station Web site for more information and to make an appointment in advance. Every appointment available is usually booked, and often there is a waiting list.
Rain didn’t stop hundreds of people from helping fulfill a dying boy’s wish that the hungry be fed. Donations poured in at the “Stuff the Truck Thursday” food drive, which KOMO-TV in Seattle, Wash., dedicated to Brenden Foster, an 11-year-old with leukemia whose last wish was that people in need be helped. His words caught the heart of viewers near and far, bringing lines of cars to the event. More than six semi-trucks were filled with food and nearly $90,000 was collected for Northwest Harvest and Food Lifeline. Foster saw television coverage of the amazing turnout his wish inspired just before he passed. “The remarkable thing about the event was that so many people turned out to donate, even people who don’t have much themselves. They wanted to support Brenden’s dream," said Holly Gauntt, KOMO news director.
For more examples of how Washington’s local radio and TV broadcasters are serving every local community, please contact the Washington State Association of Broadcasters .