PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Community Radio, 89.7 WTBR-FM, will be holding a one-day on-air fundraiser on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

 

All money raised during the on-air fundraiser will go towards continuing their mission of providing the community with a non-profit, non-commercial radio station to present diverse local, entertaining, informative, and educational programming.

 

The on-air event will be anchored by former Pittsfield morning radio fixture and current Coordinator of Advancement at WTBR, Bob Heck, and Pittsfield Community Television's Executive Director and Morning Drive host Shawn Serre.  The day will also feature many local radio personalities who currently produce radio programs on WTBR. There will be special guests, including Mayor Linda Tyer, City Council President Peter Marchetti, 1Berkshire President, and CEO Jonathan Butler, Pittsfield Police Schools Superintendent Joseph Curtis, and many more.

 

Shawn Serre, Executive Director of PCTV, said this event is critical to the station's success and continued operation. 

 

"This station survives when the community steps up with its support," said Serre.  "We are grateful to be able to provide this programming every day of the year, and our annual Radiothon fundraiser is one way we are able to make that happen.  Donations received during this event are what keeps the lights on and the transmitter broadcasting," he said.

 

There will be gifts given away, including local restaurant and business gift certificates. Every donation of $25 or more will qualify for a chance to win a Thanksgiving dinner from KJ Nosh Catering.

 

"This year, we have proven the need for our community to continue to have a community radio station," Heck said.  "The independent, participatory community radio that WTBR provides is so rare in today's mass media world.  We're the only radio station in the Berkshires that allows community members from all walks of life to come together to listen, create, react and engage, and once a year we ask the larger community to come together and help keep us going."

 

The one-day on-air fundraiser will air all day on 89.7 WTBR-FM, as well as the WTBR Facebook page and on PCTV Select, available on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire.

 

Donations can be made by 413-445-4234 during the pledge drive or made online at wtbrfm.com