SUNY Oswego’s student-run radio station, WNYO 88.9FM, is hosting a 24-hour radiothon to raise funds for local non-profit organization Oswego County Opportunities and in partnership with University Police.
The early-May radiothon supports the many programs of Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) to improve the lives of the people in the community through a wide range of programs. From 5 p.m. Friday, May 4, to 5 p.m, Saturday, May 5, student hosts can go on-air to host their own music, talk and news shows.
Special interviews with Oswego County Opportunities and University Police will be scheduled during these hours. In the upcoming weeks, students can sign up for a time slot, with priority given to the graduating class of 2024.
Students and faculty can donate to Oswego County Opportunities through tip jars located in the station in Marano Campus Center or using the QR code donation link on the posters for the event around campus. Donations will directly fund educational, emergency, and mental/physical health programs.
“This event is a chance for the campus community to show its support for a great organization in the city of Oswego,” said WNYO’s Director of Public Relations, Katie Karlen, a double major in public relations and psychology. “The radiothon will provide students with the opportunity to build relationships with the town while expressing their creativity and promoting meaningful causes that are affecting our community.”
The idea had seeds from 2022, when Chris Brewster and Melinda Brancato decided to do a 24-hour marathon broadcast to celebrate Brewster's graduation from Oswego.
"I loved the idea and hoped that we could make it a regular event, one that thanks our graduating seniors for all they have done for WNYO and also benefits the larger community. Professor Chris Hirsch connected me with OCO, who was more than willing to be our inaugural charity partner,” said WNYO faculty advisor and communication studies faculty member David Crider. “The student E-board members have taken to this project very enthusiastically, and everyone is working on creative ideas to build excitement for the event on our campus and in the city of Oswego. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish."
“University Police prides itself on its community policing and our relationship with the campus community. One way for us to build on interactions with the student body is through fundraisers. University Police conducts several different fundraisers each year with the intent to do some good for the community but to also seek interaction with the student body and get them involved as well," said Kevin Ermann, a police officer at SUNY Oswego.
“WYNO reached out to see if we would be interested in assisting with their Radiothon fundraiser for Oswego County Opportunities and we were more than happy to do so," Ermann added. "It is very heart-warming for us to be thought of for such a great cause and assist in any way we can to make this a successful fundraiser for WNYO. We have full faith in the students involved to make this a fun event for all involved and to bring much-needed assistance to OCO.”
Oswego County Opportunities is a private, nonprofit human service agency serving 15,000 people each year through more than 50 programs. The mission of Oswego County Opportunities noted: “OCO inspires partnerships and provides services that empower people, support communities and change lives.”
WNYO is a student-run, full-power, FCC-licensed (and regulated) FM station broadcasting on 88.9 in the Oswego area from the Marano Campus Center. Since 1969, WNYO has allowed students to explore programs and careers in broadcast radio. What started as a few students messing around in a dorm has grown into a large and important part of the Oswego community.
-- Submitted by WNYO