It's been another season of giving for radio stations across America.
Audacy stations have raised nearly $3 million for children's hospitals, including more than $245,000 for the Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy Department at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, during classic hits WOGL's recent “Big 98.1 Loves Our Kids Radiothon.” The station's 22nd annual drive was hosted by morning host Coop, along with co-hosts from Philly sister stations adult contemporary “B101” WBEB, hot AC WTDY (96.5), “Sports Radio 94” WIP-FM, “Newsradio” KYW (103.9 FM/1060 AM), and “Talk Radio 1210” WPHT.
“The Child Life Specialists at CHOP are the people who comfort kids when they need it the most, and we’re proud to leverage our platform to support them,” Audacy Philadelphia Senior VP/Market Manager David Yadgaroff says. “Big 98.1 Loves Our Kids Radiothon is a special event for us and our local community. None of this is possible without the generous support of our listeners and advertisers.”
Audacy adult contemporary “Star 102” WDOK Cleveland, meanwhile, saw donations north of $180,000 for its 21st annual Rainbow Radiothon benefiting University Hospitals' Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, hosted by the morning show's Jen Toohey and Tim Richards. This year's total pushed the station’s radiothon contributions past $5.4 million since 2003.
On the west coast, Audacy country “K-Frog 95.1” KFRG San Bernardino, CA's 22nd annual K-Froggers 4 Kids Radiothon raised more than $152,000 for Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, while modern/alternative rock KROQ (106.7) Los Angeles' 32nd annual Almost Acoustic Christmas show – featuring performances from The Offspring, 311, and Garbage, among others – benefited not only St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital but also Para Los Niños and Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center, two local organizations dedicated to supporting youth education.
iHeartMedia country stations across the U.S. have done their part for kids this season, with WPOC Baltimore' kicking off its fifth annual Michael J's Toy Mountain drive by collecting more than 500 toys for children in need, while “B-93” WBCT Grand Rapids, MI's annual Kids Count Radiothon has raised more than $600,000 for Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. In Owasso, OK, “106.1 The Twister” KTGX has kicked off its annual “Operation Bikes for Kids,” again looking to collect 1,061 bicycles or the cash equivalent, as on-air host Natalie Cash lives in and broadcasts from a tent 40 feet above Owasso High School's football stadium until the drive meets its goal – which it did, and then some, last year, with 1,260 bikes donated.
Cumulus Media's two country stations in Dallas, “99.5 The Wolf” KPLX and “New Country 96.3” KSCS, saw donations pass the million mark for Cook Children’s Hospital. At Cumulus' classic hits WSOX (96.1) Red Lion, PA, the ninth annual “Toy Challenge on the Bridge,” part of the station's 26th annual Toys for Tots campaign benefiting York and Lancaster counties, collected a record-breaking near-13,000 toys along with cash donations of more than $36,000.
With further proof that country cares, Beasley Media Group's WXTU Philadelphia raised more than $300,000 during its annual St. Jude Cares For Country Kids Radiothon. For two days, the station’s 6am-7am on-air personalities used that time to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research, while country acts such as Jelly Roll, Sam Hunt, and Cody Johnson called in to share their thoughts about what St. Jude Children’s Hospital means to them. Over the past four years, WXTU has raised more than $1 million for St. Jude.
At other stations, NRG Media country “Y106-5” WYTE Wausau-Stevens Point, WI raised more than $230,000 during its annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Radiothon for Marshfield Children’s Hospital, while Nelson Enterprises classic hits WCSJ (103.1) Morris, IL's 41st annual “Operation St. Nick” radio auction for the needy marked its 15th year passing the $100,000 mark. And Rubber City Radio country WQMX Akron, OH (94.9)'s annual Tree of Lights campaign, benefiting Northeast Ohio Foundation for Patriotism, hit $87,180 in donations.
In addition, dozens of country stations held their radiothons for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital last week.