The Board of Directors of Panhandle Community Radio, 88.5 KRFY is pleased to announce the success of its recent pledge drive. Thanks to the support of station volunteers, underwriters and over one hundred new members, KRFY raised over $12,000 in just 54 hours during the stations first ever “On-Air Pledge Drive.” The drive, which occurred Friday, June 1st through Sunday, June 3rd at the continually evolving radio station, is the first opportunity that KRFY has had to prepare and execute an on-air fund drive. The goal of 100 new members was reached on Sunday afternoon within an hour of the scheduled completion of the drive.
The station prepared for over three months in order to ensure high quality-live and recorded programming for the special event. KRFY’s new on-air broadcast studio was equipped, tested and went live the day before the pledge drive began. The studio, referred to as The Tiki Room, makes possible a wide range of programming including live interviews with local individuals and organizations that are making a difference in the quality of north Idaho life. The weekend broadcast also featured over 12 hours of live musical performances by local artists including SARABETH, Deep Fried Anything, Emily Baker, Mike and Shanna Thompson, Wild Honey, Charlie Packard, Ken Casler, Dave Hussey, Sandpoint Waldorf School String Ensemble, Clyde The Ghost, Dr. Julie Gagnon and Gene Grimes.
Frontier Communications and TNT Communications were integral in the drive by providing phone lines, equipment and installation for volunteers to take multiple pledges. Several times throughout the weekend listeners had all lines busy as they phoned in pledges of support and comments on the station and its programs. KRFY volunteers were also provided with food and beverages from Winter Ridge Natural Foods, Little Olive, Common Knowledge Organic Cafe, Ivano’s Ristorante, Tango Cafe, Di Luna’s Cafe, Eichardt’s, Evans Brothers Coffee and Megan Riffe.
“Panhandle Community Radio is overwhelmed by the listeners show of support this weekend” said Executive Board member Barry Barush. “The events committee set its goal high but achievable, and we were jubilant when we got that 100th pledge.” Listener and KRFY underwriter Doug Jones noted that the sense of purpose and elation were tangible over the airwaves. “You could just hear the joy emanate from the broadcast. It was very inspiring.”
The goal of 100 new members was reached shortly after Jim Healey, PCR Board President and Program Director, read a stirring tribute by author Rick Bass to Scott Daily, founder of KRFY. Bringing community radio to North Idaho was the brainchild of Scott, whose battle with a rare form of cancer ended with his passing in August 2011. His spirit pervades the broadcast facility. “Remember our friend. Do not waste the example of him.” That message from Rick Bass and Panhandle Community Radio was taken to heart by the community of north Idaho.
KRFY especially thanks its guests and on air hosts throughout the pledge drive, including Carrie Logan, Shelby Rongstadt, Phil Hough, Paul Graves, Dyno Whal, Steve Holt, David Hussey, Shannon Williamson, Jace Bylenga, Randy Evans, Karen Bowers, Sandy Compton, Ken Casler, Shelly Jean Allen, Velma Queen of Fun, Jim Healey, Matt Jablon, Chaplain Bruce, Barry Barush and Jeff Poole..