Local radio works...

["Bill O'Neill" <billo@erols.com>]

The WCAP (980 Lowell) radiothon for the Salvation Army brought in
excess of $18,000 in pledges by noon today, after the $6,500 from the
12/7 edition was added in.  The annual fundraiser outperformed last
year by a considerable margin.  Noteable was that the majority of
donations were in small denominations from "regular listeners".  The
Salvation Army of Lowell provided the volunteers to field calls at the
station while the station provided the airtime (9 hrs. tot.) phone
lines and staffing.  Numerous local businesses donated goods and
services to entice participation.  There was also a heavy 'political'
component to the event this morning, with many local communities'
elected officials calling or visiting with 'challenges' for pledges.

It was a long, yet rewarding, six hours, but made all worth it when a
woman called, on air, to say that she and her family were now
officially homeless.  The sense of hopelessness in her voice was
compelling and drove many listeners to the pledge phones.  The
Salvation Army volunteers were able to provide her with some immediate
intervention as a result of her reaching out.  Sort of brought it back
what Marconi may have had in mind?

Bill O'Neill