Montana Public Radio will do the listening during our fall pledge drive, which begins at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, and runs through 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14.
MTPR will ask listeners to share feedback and support the local programs and news coverage aired daily across the state. We hope to raise $260,000 during the week.
“Pledge week is a great time when we work with our most important partner – our listeners – to raise the money needed to keep this amazing service on the air,” says MTPR membership manager Anne Hosler. “We have so much fun visiting with our supporters when they call in to make their pledges, plus we get to enjoy the time spent with hundreds of volunteers who make this week possible – all while producing live radio with special guests. It’s a fun week!”
Listeners can expect special music programs, including two live sessions. Pianists from the University of Montana and the community will play in MTPR’s studios between 10 and 11 a.m. Wednesday. In addition, the Basement Boys – featuring Ed Stalling, Jim Driscoll, David Horgan, Pete Hand and Jeff Stickney – will perform a live jazz concert from MTPR’s Studio B at 2 p.m. Sunday to celebrate the end of fundraiser, as well as the retirement of Joe Korona, who is leaving MTPR at the end of October after nearly 39 years on the air.
“We’re proud to have listeners who understand the importance of supporting balanced and trusted Montana news coverage, as well as the wide variety of hand-picked music programs,” said Ray Ekness, director of the UM Broadcast Media Center and MTPR general manager. “The pledge week is full of excitement and fun for us all. But the local and national programs are expensive to produce, so we’re asking our listeners to help us reach our goal and keep MTPR on the air for another year.”
Listener contributions are vital and make up 75 percent of MTPR’s annual income.
“We know our listeners are passionate about Montana news and programs, but it takes their financial support to make those programs a reality,” Ekness says.
During fundraising week, listeners can pledge by phone at 406-243-6400, donate online or mail in pledges to MTPR at 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, Montana, 59812.
“The pledge drive and MTPR are made possible by the involvement of thousands of people making their voices heard for public broadcasting in Montana,” Hosler said.
Montana Public Radio is a service of UM. MTPR FM broadcast stations include 89.1 Missoula (KUFM); 91.5 Missoula, city (K218AI); 91.9 Hamilton (KUFN); 89.5 Polson (KPJH); 90.1 Kalispell, Whitefish, North Valley (KUKL); 90.5 Libby (KUFL); 91.7 Kalispell, city (K219BN); 101.3 Swan Lake (K267BJ); 91.3 Butte (KAPC); 91.7 Helena (KUHM); 91.7 Dillon (K219DN); and 89.9 Great Falls (KGPR).