DMA 41
WWMT Raises More Than $21,000 For Storm Victims
Freedom Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate WWMT Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, Mich. (DMA 41), and the American Red Cross (Greater Kalamazoo Area Chapter and Calhoun County Chapter) held a one day phone-a-thon to raise money for severe weather victims in West Michigan. The weekend storms hit the area hard, causing widespread destruction, especially in Calhoun, St. Joseph, and Kalamazoo counties.
The one day phone-a-thon ran from 5 a.m. to midnight and raised $21,478 for American Red Cross Disaster Relief. The Red Cross continues to help area families with shelter, meals, agency referrals and mental health assistance.
“We are happy to be able to help the American Red Cross who is always there for us when disaster strikes. This year has been unprecedented for severe weather damage but we are lucky to live in such a generous community.” said Jim Lutton, WWMT VP-GM.
Local Red Cross volunteers answered phones throughout the day taking pledges while WWMT spread the word about the storm relief phone-a-thon. The one-day event was mentioned during all newscasts as well as with cut-ins, crawls and promotional announcements throughout the day.
Comments (1)
Hope Yen and Charles Babington says:
June 3, 2011 at 11:31 am
Had this been 10 years or so ago, the figure more likely would have been $200,000+. WWMT is a solid, community oriented station with a terrific past, from John Fetzer thru Carl Lee, Larry Busse, to today. They are to be commended for their action. The market itself is more conservative than liberal, hard working, with a history of manufacturing, distribution and research. The relatively low figure – circa $20,000 – shows just how little cash people have, how many who previously could easily help, simply don’t have the disposable income. Its the ECONOMY, stupid!