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KVLU kicks off fall campaign

KVLU
Shannon Harris, 91.3 KVLU development director, in the station’s studio. Lamar University’s public radio’s fall pledge drive continues through Oct. 23. UP photo by Caraline Otte

91.3 KVLU, Lamar University’s public radio station, is hosting “Radio You Value,” its fall fundraising campaign through Oct. 23.

“People, individuals, businesses and corporations can sponsor the programs that we host, but our largest source of funding is from just everyday listeners,” development director Shannon Harris said. “That’s how we pay for our programs; our listeners are what make that possible.”

The fall pledge drive is an eight-day campaign which began Oct. 15. However, Harris said listeners are encouraged to give throughout the year.

“It’s not like you’re expected to do anything after that or that we’re going to be bombarding you with anything,” she said. “It’s really just you’re supporting KVLU, and there’s a variety of ways to do that.”

To contribute to KVLU, listeners can make a one-time gift or become members who pay a subscription with an amount of their choice.

“It’s very easy just to listen and think, ‘Well, somebody else is going to take care of that,’” Harris said. “If everybody thought that, then we wouldn’t have any support.”

Anyone becoming a member or renewing their membership during the campaign before 6 p.m. on Oct. 22 are eligible to win a digital radio and CD player donated by the Dishman Art Museum.

Sustaining members are automatically entered into any KVLU giveaways.

The station is an independent National Public Radio affiliate that includes daily news, music programs and features.

“We’re located on the campus of Lamar University and we do a lot of things that are associated with the campus,” Harris said. “Every day you’ll hear a different feature that highlights either the Lamar University campus or the Southeast Texas community.”

The station receives a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. CPB is a private, non-profit organization that supports public radio.

“We have to show that we have a listenership that wants public radio in Southeast Texas,” Harris said. “So, if we don’t have those numbers to show, then it won’t match for that CPB grant.”

KVLU is seeking volunteers to answer calls during the campaign. Students can sign up to volunteer online at lamar.edu/kvlu.

“When we’re live on the air, we encourage people to call,” Harris said. “We have volunteers manning the phones and taking those pledge forms and students are always a big part of that.

“You can give any time. Every little bit makes a big difference for the success of the campaign.”

To pledge, listers can call 409-880-8164, or visit KVLU.org and click “Give Now.”

Category: News