The southern Wisconsin stations of Big Radio including WCLO 1230AM, 105.9 The Hog (WWHG), WJVL 99.9 FM, Iron Country (WGEZ) and The Beat (WBEL) supported the community during the holiday season by engaging the listeners with successful fundraisers for local charities. The events included an online auction called the Big Radio Radiothon, which included items generously donated by local businesses and a day long donation drive at the Janesville Blain’s Farm and Fleet. Both events combined to raise more than $26,700 in cash toys, food, and other items. All proceeds from the events will be split between E.C.H.O. and the Rock County Salvation Army.
The “Big Radio Radiothon” auction event, sponsored by Blain’s Farm and Fleet and K&W Greenery, raised $15,500 for the charities. Some of the donated items included tools, hunting equipment, kitchen appliances, automobile equipment and services, concert experiences, stints as a radio guest host, and gift certificates.
On Dec. 13, Big Radio partnered with Blain’s Farm and Fleet’s “Kids Helping Kids” toy drive for a day long donation drive. The event, held at Janesville’s Farm and Fleet, featured a donation booth where people could drop off new toys, non-perishable food, and cash donations. Big Radio and Blain’s Farm and Fleet staff along with members of the Salvation Army and E.C.H.O. collected items throughout the day from shoppers and drive-by benefactors. The stations also provided live broadcasts to promote the event throughout the day. The annual event raised more than $700 in cash donations this year plus thousands of dollars’ worth of toys, food, and other necessities to help brighten the holidays of some area residents in need.
“We are very thankful to all of our sponsor partners for making it possible for Big Radio to help give back to our community,” said station owner and General Manager Ben Thompson. “We are especially grateful to all the community members who came out and contributed donations and participated in the auction. They really came through again this year and we can’t thank them enough.”
